Veni Sancte Spiritus

Use: Pentecost, General
Required Resources: SATB choir, soloists
Language: Latin

The Golden Sequence, "Veni Sancte Spiritus," is required in the liturgy for Pentecost Sunday. While is it possible to include the congregation in its singing [see CNP's Pentecost Sequence], it is also an option to have it sung by the choir alone, either in a chant version [see CNP's Booklet of Chant, Volume 2] or in this creative setting by Lisa Stafford.

The arranger has taken the traditional chant melody in a sprightly metrical version and used it to set the Latin text for soloists and choir. A male and female soloist alternate in singing the odd-numbered verses. As in the Gregorian chant, the even-numbered verses use the same melody as their preceding verse, and they are set for two-part choir (SA and TB alternately) or for SATB choir, all a cappella. The inviting 3/4 rhythm of the melody, the variety of textures, the traditional Latin text, and the skillful vocal writing make this an eminently useful liturgical setting for Pentecost or other celebrations of the Holy Spirit (e.g. Confirmation, Ordination).

Lisa Stafford has served as Music Director at Saint Joseph Church in Norman, Oklahoma, and currently directs the Deo Gratias Chorale, an eight-person schola cantorum that specializes in singing polyphony, chant and sacred hymnody. They also offer choir workshops to help Catholic Church music directors introduce traditional sacred music back into their liturgical celebrations.