Come, Creator Spirit

Ever since its composition in the ninth century, the use of the Veni Creator in the liturgy of Pentecost and in Christian assemblies has been constant, as one continuous, solemn invocation of the Paraclete. With its wealth of insights and thought-provoking images, this hymn is like a magnificent fresco of the Holy Spirit at work in slavation history and in the life of the Church. Following the structure of the ancient hymn, Father Cantalamessa gives us a meditation for each verse and builds a complete treatise -- a theological and spiritual Summa, no less -- on the Holy Spirit, drawn from Scripture, the Church Fathers, the liturgy and from Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. Its language, however, is far removed from theological discourse but inspired by symbol, image and song, by poetry and liturgy, by prophecy and living models of holiness. Book jacket.

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M.Cap., who taught the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and served on the International Theological Commission, devotes his ministry to preaching and writing. Since 1980 he has been the Preacher to the Papal Household