Spreading the joy of Walsingham...

I have noted in a previous post that one always returns from pilgrimage a richer man. Richer in hope, richer in friends, richer in song and, of course, richer in countless graces which we will never fully understand.

Musical delights are perhaps among the most distinctive of the treasures laid out along the pilgrimage road. I can say with a great deal of confidence that one of the most significant moments of my life was the first time I heard the Rosary sung in Latin. It was Friday 24 October and the sun was rising on a cold morning in Ballarat as around four hundred pilgrims processed out of St Patrick's Cathedral, down the hill and onto the long road to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo. Often when I am tired, or a bit weary or frustrated for some reason it is the thought of a particular round, hymn or motet that wakes me up or keeps me going for the day.

I have always felt that it would be a good thing to spread these little nuggets of joy. Of course the best way for these to be spread is for people to come along to one of the many traditional pilgrimages throughout the world.

This isn't possible for everyone and many people are quite removed from the sorts of communities and individuals who go on such pilgrimages. Following the pilgrimage to Walsingham, I did my best to spread the joys and delights of the road, beginning in my own home. Fortunately two fellow pilgrims stayed with us for a couple of days following the pilgrimage and we held something of an impromptu session at my family home with a couple of friends.

Below is us singing the Veni Creator Spiritus, which is sung on the pilgrimage at the beginning of the blessing of the pilgrims and their staves and scrips (or rucksacks). As on the pilgrimage, we began our musical evening by invoking the Holy Ghost.

Fr Bede Rowe blessing our banners, staves, scrips (and rucksacks!) at St Etheldreda's Catholic Church, Ely.

Veni Creator Spiritus

Veni, creator Spiritus

mentes tuorum visita,

imple superna gratia,

quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,

altissimi donum Dei,

fons vivus, ignis, caritas

et spiritalis unctio.

Tu septiformis munere,

digitus paternae dexterae

tu rite promissum Patris

sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus,

infunde amorem cordibus,

infirma nostri corporis,

virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius

pacemque dones protinus;

ductore sic te praevio

vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem

noscamus atque Filium,

te utriusque Spiritum

credamus omni tempore.

Deo Patri sit gloria,

et Filio qui a mortuis

Surrexit, ac Paraclito,

in saeculorum saecula.

Amen.

English translation

Come Holy Ghost Creator come

From Thy bright heavenly throne,

Come take possession of our souls,

And make them all Thine own.

Thou who art called the Paraclete,

Best gift of God above,

The living spring, the living fire,

Sweet unction and true love.

Thou art seven fold in Thy grace,

Finger of God’s right Hand,

His promise teaching little one

To speak and understand!

O guide our minds with Thy blest light,

With love our hearts inflame,

And with thy strength which ne’er decays

Confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our hellish foe,

True peace unto us bring,

And through all perils guide us safe

Beneath thy sacred wing .

Through Thee may we the Father know,

Through Thee the Eternal Son,

And Thee the Spirit of Them both

Thrice blessed Three in One.

All glory to the Father be and;

And to the risen Son;

The same to Thee O Paraclete,

While endless ages run.
Amen

Please note that the special earlybird offer for next year's pilgrimage expires tomorrow.