# Hymn to the Holy Spirit (Veni Creator)
*2016-02-25*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio and leads listeners in a hymn to the Holy Spirit, invoking the Spirit’s gifts and love.

## Feast of Blessed Sebastian

Today we celebrate the feast of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, a Spanish-born lay brother who spent most of his life in Mexico. From humble beginnings, he amassed wealth but, at the age of seventy‑two, gave everything to the poor. For the next twenty‑five years he devoted himself to caring for the needy, building bridges—both literal and spiritual—that helped people recognize their God‑given dignity and destiny.

## Invoking the Holy Spirit

February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Spirit, so we turn now to a prayer that has been sung for centuries: the Veni Creator. Let us pray together.

Come, O Creator, Spirit blessed in our souls, come with grace and heavenly aid to fill our hearts. You have made us great partners with You. We cry, “O highest gift of God, most high, our fountain of life, fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.”

Grant us the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit, the finger of God, the hand of promise, the tongue of power. May our senses be kindled from above, and may our hearts overflow with love, patience, firm virtue, and strength to overcome our fleshly weakness.

Drive far from us the foe we dread, and give us true peace. May we not turn from the path of life but follow Your guidance. May the grace of the Father and the Son be with us, that we may know and confess the living Spirit.

All glory to the Father and the Son, who rose from the dead, and to You, O Holy Ghost, forever. Amen.

## Closing Blessing

May the Holy Spirit fill your hearts with love and peace today. God bless you all.

*May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with love and peace.*