Classic Poem

Spirit of grace and union!
Who from the Father and the Son
Dost equally proceed,
Inflame our hearts with holy fire,
Our lips with eloquence inspire,
And strengthen us in need.

The Father and the Son through Thee
Are link'd in perfect unity,
And everlasting love;
Ineffably Thou dost pervade
All nature; and Thyself unsway'd
The whole creation move.

O inexhaustive Fount of light!
How does Thy radiance put to flight
The darkness of the mind!
The pure are only pure through Thee;
Thou only dost the guilty free,
And cheer with light the blind.

Thou to the lowly dost display
The beautiful and perfect way
Of justice and of peace;
Shunning the proud and stubborn heart,
Thou to the simple dost impart
True wisdom's rich increase.

Thou teaching — naught remains obscure;
Thou present — every thought impure
Is banish'd from the breast;
And full of cheerfulness serene,
The conscience sanctified and clean,
Enjoys a perfect rest.

Each elemental change is Thine;
The Sacraments their force divine
From Thee alone obtain;
Thou only dost temptation quell,
And breaking every snare of Hell,
The rage of Satan chain.

Dear Soother of the troubled heart!
At Thine approach all cares depart,
And melancholy grief;
More balmy than the summer breeze,
Thy presence lulls all agonies,
And lends a sweet relief.

Thy grace eternal truth instils;
The ignorant with knowledge fills;
Awakens those who sleep;
Inspires the tongue; informs the eye;
Expands the heart with charity;
And comforts all who weep.

O Thou the weary pilgrim's rest!
Solace of all that are oppress'd!
Befriender of the poor!
O Thou in whom the wretched find
A sweet Consoler ever kind,
A refuge ever sure!

Teach us to aim at Heav'n's high prize,
And for its glory to despise
The world and all below;
Cleanse us from sin; direct us right;
Illuminate us with Thy light;
Thy peace on us bestow:

And as Thou didst in days of old
On the first Shepherds of the Fold.
In tongues of flame descend,
Now also on its Pastors shine,
And flood with fire of grace divine
The world from end to end!

So unto Thee, who with the Son
And Father art for ever One,
In nature as in Name!
Of Both alike the Spirit blest!
Different in Person, but confess'd
In Deity the same!

Lord of all sanctity and might!
Immense, immortal, infinite!
The life of earth and Heaven!
Be, through eternal length of days,
All honour, glory, blessing, praise,
And adoration given!