I know it’s not a particularly Lenten prayer, but I have been trying to say the Veni Sancte Spiritus every day in preparation for our community’s upcoming “chapters.”

In case you’re not familiar with this use of the word, a “chapter” in the context of a religious community, is an assembly or meeting. We will soon be electing (in early April) new Sisters to serve in administration (leadership). They will serve a six-year term.

I think our Sisters in Rugby are one step ahead of me, as they have the established custom of praying the Veni Sancte Spiritus together on their way over to school in the morning.

Now is a very important time for us to be praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

I thought I would take this opportunity to share this beautiful, time-honored prayer with you, and to encourage you to make it part of your own prayer life. It dpes, in fact, have a special place in the Church’s prayer, being sung on Pentecost as well as when the cardinals enter the chapel to elect a new pope.

I would also like to ask for your prayers for us as we enter into a special time of discernment and transition for the future of our community here in North Dakota.

Please pray with me:

Holy Spirit, Lord of Light,

From Thy clear celestial height,

Thy pure beaming radiance give:

Come, Thou Father of the poor!

Come, with treasures which endure!

Come, Thou Light of all that live!

Thou, of all consolers best,

Visiting the troubled breast,

Dost refreshing peace bestow;

Thou in toil art comfort sweet,

Pleasant coolness in the heat,

Solace in the midst of woe.

Light immortal! Light divine!

Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,

And our inmost being fill;

If thou take thy grace away,

Nothing pure in man will stay;

All his good is turned to ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;

On our dryness pour thy 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.

Thou, on those who ever more,

Thee confess and thee adore,

With thy sevenfold gitfs descend:

Give them comfort when they die,

Give them life with Thee on high;

Give them joys that never end.

Amen.