Praying With The Pentecost Sequence

Each Pentecost, I have a tradition of praying with the Pentecost Sunday Sequence, which is “a poetic and musical expression of the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers,” according to The Paulist Center. 

I speak it and determine which phrase speaks most to me in that particular year with Lectio Divina. It never disappoints in leading me to see the Holy Spirit in a new light.

For example, “comforters the best,” “in our labor, rest most sweet,” and “heal our wounds, our strength renew” has spoken in past years. This year, “Father of the Poor” seems to resonate. 

The Holy Spirit is a mystery and the Sequence aims to show how the Holy Spirit comforts us in our labors and struggles, heals our wounds, guides our steps, warms our hearts, gives us rest, and brings her gifts so that we can ever more fully reflect Jesus to the world through wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is so many different things to each of us at different times and seasons of our life and the Sequence is a beautiful depiction of that.

Perhaps pray with this sequence on this Pentecost Sunday. What phrase of the Spirit speaks to you of the Lord today? 

Pentecost Sequence

Come, Holy Spirit, come.
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine.

Come, Father of the poor.
Come, source of all our store.
Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill.

Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.

Amen. Alleluia.