The spirit is with us

[docmattc]

I want to have a hymn on Pentecost Sunday, probably towards the end, that recognises, and rejoices in the fact that the Spirit is with us. I think we can get so caught up in singing "come Holy Spirit" type songs that we can fail to realise that the Spirit is already with us and for that we should thank the Lord.

Any suggestions?

[Petrasancta]

How about Wesley's "O Thou Who camest from above"?

O Thou Who camest from above,
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
Upon the mean altar of my heart.

[musicus]

Once the people know it, Kendrick's Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is in you (Laudate 818, CFE 618, The Catholic Hymnbook 418*) is first-rate. OK, the Spirit isn't explicitly named, but she's there all right - the song is replete with Scripture references, not least to Ezekiel's Valley of the Dry Bones, awaiting the Spirit's breath:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is in you, the hope of glory in our hearts.
He lives! He lives! His breath is in you, arise a mighty army,
we arise!

(* I jest)

[docmattc]

Thanks folks, more suggestions welcome.

OK, the Spirit isn't explicitly named, but she's there all right

This would be a good one, but we don't know it (yet!). Any thing that mentions breath does it for me- its the same word in Hebrew. Sadly I suspect the congregation know even less Hebrew than me.

Can't help but think that the refrain to Bob Hurd's "Filled with the Spirit" from the "One with the Risen Lord" collection would be a great one to sing as we were walking out, if only the lyrics were "We are filled with the Spirit" rather than "They were filled with the Spirit"...

[sidvicius]

Probably not the most qualitiest suggestion you're ever gonna get, but, being the unrepentant old box-basher that I am, John Glynn's "Holy Spirit of Fire" has the useful advantage of being easy to play and remember in your head, ergo no music required.

So it doesn't just appear as a bombastic blast, I would like to play it very restrained on several occasions, leading up to the big day. Hard to believe but it makes a very effective contemplative communion song if delivered like this.

Then we go doo-lally on the occasion itself. One of those rare occasions where geetars and organ should be allowed to just do their stuff.

It will either raise your rabble or blow away the chaff. Either way is fine with me .

[mcb]

I want to have a hymn on Pentecost Sunday, probably towards the end...

I wouldn't put it near the end - I don't think you need to imply that the Spirit's presence becomes nearer by virtue of the action of the Mass. If you choose to celebrate the Spirit's presence, it's as good to begin with the thought as to close with it.

That's what the Missal suggests too. Most of the antiphons, prayers and so on are invocations of the Spirit, but the exception is the entrance antiphon. There's a choice: the Vigil Mass has The love of God has been poured into our hearts by his Spirit living in us, alleluia, and the Mass of the day itself has The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world. It holds all things together and knows every word spoken by man, alleluia.

Can't say I know of any musical settings of these texts, so perhaps there's a challenge for composers? I do think you've pointed out something significant, Doc - we often call on the Spirit to come into our lives, but generally neglect to celebrate the Spirit's presence.

M.

[Scholastica]

Not usually a Carey Landry fan - but there is a Holy Spirit hymn in "Rise Up and Sing" (Young People's Music Resource" - publ. OCP

Refrain
The Spirit of the Lord has anointed us:
Holy is the Spirit of the Lord!
Holy is the Spirit of the Lord!

Verses then invoke the Spirit and gifts
e.g.
Spirit of courage, fill us with your strength,
Help us all to live what we believe.

Spirit of wonder, open our eyes,
Help us see God's presence in creation etc..........

[mcb]

So, Doc, what did you choose?

M.

[docmattc]

Buy me a drink at Summer School and I might tell you!