Dear Wheaton College Community,
It was just seven short weeks ago that we experienced the powerful on-campus performance of Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. With the composer in residence, we were all moved with this exceptional musical offering from our student musicians in Edman Chapel.
Little did we know that night what was so quickly approaching and how much our lives would be impacted.
At the heart of Lauridsen’s music is a prayer in Latin that beseeches the aid of the Holy Spirit (text and translation below). I trust that this music and its message will be an encouragement to your soul, especially now.
May God grant you His everlasting light this day and in all that follow.
Philip Ryken
President
IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Et emitte coelitus
Lucis tuae radium.
Veni, pater pauperum,
Veni, dator munerum,
Veni, lumen cordium.
Consolator optime,
Dulcis hospes animae,
Dulce refrigerium.
In labore requies,
In aestu temperies,
In fletu solatium.
O lux beatissima,
Reple cordis intima
Tuorum fidelium.
Sine tuo numine,
Nihil est in homine,
Nihil est innoxium.
Lava quod est sordidum,
Riga quod est aridum,
Sana quod est saucium.
Flecte quod est rigidum,
Fove quod est frigidum,
Rege quod est devium.
Da tuis fidelibus
In te confitentibus,
Sacrum septenarium.
Da virtutis meritum,
Da salutis exitum,
Da perenne gaudium.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Send forth from heaven
The ray of Thy light.
Come, father of the poor,
Come, giver of gifts,
Come, light of hearts.
Thou best of Consolers,
Sweet guest of the soul,
Sweet refreshment.
In labor, Thou art rest,
In heat, the tempering,
In grief, the consolation.
O Light most blessed,
Fill the inmost heart
Of all Thy faithful.
Without Thy grace,
There is nothing in us,
Nothing that is not harmful.
Cleanse what is sordid,
Moisten what is arid,
Heal what is hurt.
Flex what is rigid,
Fire what is frigid,
Correct what goes astray.
Grant to Thy faithful,
Those trusting in Thee,
Thy sacred seven-fold gifts.
Grant the reward of virtue,
Grant the deliverance of salvation,
Grant everlasting joy.
Watch the Full Performance
The full performance of Lux Aeterna is posted on the Wheaton College YouTube channel >