Come Holy Spirit

"Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful" is one of the oldest and most loved invocations of the Holy Spirit. It is the opening of an antiphon sung in the Church's liturgy around Pentecost, and it is usually followed by the versicle "Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth" and a short collect. The image of fire recalls the tongues of flame that rested on the Apostles in the Upper Room (Acts 2:3).

Pray it before study or work, before an important conversation or decision, at the start of a meeting or class, and especially during the nine days before Pentecost. It is also a good prayer before reading Scripture and for anyone preparing for Confirmation. Short enough to memorize, it can become a habit many times a day.

Pray it before study, decisions, or when the day feels dry—invite the Spirit simply and trustfully.

The Prayer

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Sources: Traditional form; cf. Baltimore Manual of Prayers (1889).

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