Pentecost Sequence

by Stephen Langston

13th Century Archbishop of Canterbury

       Come, Holy Spirit, come!
       And from Your clear celestial home,
       Shed a ray of light divine!

       Come, Father of the poor!
       Come, source of all our store!
       Come, within our being shine!

       You, of comforters the best;
       You, our 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 Thine,
       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 many gifts descend.

       Give us virtue's sure reward;
       Give us Your salvation, Lord;
       Give us joys that never end.

       Amen.  Alleluia!