Celebrating Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church :: 2012 Edition

Holy Spirit, come and shine 

On our souls with beams divine 

Issuing from your radiance bright. 

Come, O Father of the poor, 

Ever bounteous of your store, 

Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best, 

Come our bosom's dearest guest, 

Sweet refreshment, sweet repose. 

Rest in labor, coolness sweet, 

Tempering the burning heat, 

Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart 

Unto every faithful heart 

Plenteous streams from love's bright flood. 

But for your blest Deity,

Nothing pure in man could be; 

Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain; 

Gently shed your gracious rain 

On the dry and fruitless soul. 

Heal each wound and bend each will, 

Warm our hearts benumbed and chill, 

All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just, 

Who in you confide and trust, 

Deign the sevenfold gift to send. 

Grant us virtue's blest increase, 

Grant a death of hope and peace, 

Grant the joys that never end. 

Amen. Alleluia! 

Happy Pentecost Sunday!

(Cake Symbolism and Celebrating Pentecost link-up at Catholic Cuisine)