Veni Sancte Spiritus – Text and Translations
Beautiful harmony and straightforward rhythms make this traditional Pentecost text accessible to many choirs. Simple and sophisticated this piece is at home on the concert stage or in a liturgical service. Translation and IPA Pronunciation Guide included.
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
reple tuorum corda fidelium,
et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur;
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created;
R. And you shalt renew the face of the earth.
Pronunciation:
veni, sancte spiritus,
[vɛni, sɑŋktɛ spiɾitus,]
reple tuorum corda fidelium,
[rɛplɛ tuɔɾum kɔɾdɑ fidɛlium,]
et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.
[ɛt tui ɑmɔɾis in ɛis iɲɛm ɑktʃɛndɛ.]
v. emiBe spiritum tuum et creabuntur;
[ ɛmiBɛ spiɾitum tuum ɛt kɾɛɑbuntuɾ;]
r. et renovabis faciem terrae.
[ ɛt rɛnɔvɑbis fɑtʃiɛm tɛɾɾɛ.]
IPA Pronunciation Guide (with English approximation)
a = “a” as in pasta
ɛ = “eh” as met
i = “ea” as in mead
ɔ = “o” as in fought
u = “oo” as in cool
j = “y” as in yes
ʃ = “ch” as in change
ɲ = “n” as in canyon
Check out the IPA reader at: hUp://ipa-reader.xyz
Progam Notes for Veni Sancte Spiritus
The Golden Sequence for Veni Sancte Spiritus
The Latin hymn Veni Sancte Spiritus is one of the greatest masterpieces of sacred poetry. Known as the Golden Sequence, it dates back to the thirteenth century. Scholars often credit its text to Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the Catholic Church, a sequence is a special chant sung before the Gospel reading. During the Middle Ages, the Church used hundreds of these sequences. However, the Council of Trent removed almost all of them in 1570. Only four medieval sequences survived this cut, and Veni Sancte Spiritus was one of them.
For centuries, the hymn has been central to the celebration of Pentecost. Its Latin verses serve as a prayer of supplication. They ask the Holy Spirit to bring light, comfort, and warmth to human hearts. Traditionally, the text was sung to a smooth, single-line Gregorian chant melody.
Ancient Roots (13th Century) ──> Tridentine Survival (1570) ──> Modern Adaptations (Trotta)
[Stephen Langton Poem] [Preserved for Pentecost] [Rich Choral Harmonies]
Trotta’s Modern Composition Veni Sancte Spiritus
In the modern era, American choral composer Michael John Trotta breathed new life into these ancient words. His choral setting, titled Veni Sancte Spiritus, provides a fresh look at the traditional Pentecost text. Trotta blends the historical weight of the words with twentieth-century choral techniques.
The Trotta Veni Sancte is designed for an a cappella mixed choir (SATB), sometimes utilizing an optional solo or descant line. Instead of copying the simple, flat rhythm of old chants, he uses beautiful close harmonies and straightforward rhythms. This balance makes the piece feel both ancient and contemporary. The music opens with a single voice that introduces the main theme. Slowly, other vocal parts enter and layer on top of each other. This layering creates a rich, warm, and sophisticated sound that moves seamlessly between sections.
Trotta also plays with the lyrics. He often splices the main text with parts of another famous hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus. By passing these historic lyric motives around different vocal sections, he creates the illusion of a continuous chant. Trotta’s work is highly accessible to many choirs, yet it retains a deep artistic quality. Because of this versatility, his piece is equally at home on a modern concert stage or in a traditional church service. Through his composition, the centuries-old prayer remains powerful for modern audiences.
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