---
title: Looking Ahead to Pentecost
description: Explore the significance of the Pentecost Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus, and deepen your prayer practice leading up to Pentecost Sunday.
---

[Vicki Klima Liturgy](https://vickiklimaliturgy.org/vicki-klima-liturgy-blog)

# [Looking Ahead to Pentecost](https://vickiklimaliturgy.org/vicki-klima-liturgy-blog/looking-ahead-to-pentecost)

 Written by [Vicki Klima](https://vickiklimaliturgy.org/vicki-klima-liturgy-blog/author/vicki-klima) | May 04, 2026

Pentecost is at the end of the month, May 24, but I am encouraging you to look ahead at the Pentecost Sequence in order for you to be able to pray it more deeply on Pentecost Sunday.

A Sequence is a kind of liturgical poetry. It was sung before the Gospel and often accompanied a longer Gospel procession on a special feast. The text explained the meaning of the feast using poetic imagery. Hundreds of Sequences were written going back at least to the tenth century. I remember learning the *Dies Irae* for funerals when I was in Catholic Grade School. Some of the older children were let out of class to sing for funerals at my parish, and I was one of them. I also learned a lot of chant back in the day. Two are required for Mass now, Easter and Pentecost. One is recommended but not obligatory on Corpus Christi Sunday and there is one for the celebration of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15. This last one is the *Stabat Mater* which we used to sing at Stations of the Cross.

The Pentecost Sequence is *Veni Sancte Spiritus*. Find a copy on online. Here are three categories for reflection over these 20 days (and beyond).

First, there are titles for the Holy Spirit: Father of the poor; Source of all our store; Comforter;

Blessed Light divine. **Father** – parent, caretaker, steward; originator; **Source** – foundation, cause, fount, resource; **Comforter** – consoler, relief, security, peace; **Light** – brightness, radiance, illumination, fire.

Next, there are descriptions of the Holy Spirit: Soul’s most welcome guest; Sweet refreshment; Rest most sweet; Grateful coolness in the heat; Solace in the midst of woe. Consider how the Holy Spirit can be for you a welcome **guest**; **refreshment** that sustains you; **rest** from labor or anxiety; the **coolness** of being restored or revived from the heat of the day or the intensity of life’s concerns; **solace** and support in troubled times.

Finally, there are petitions that you can use in your own prayer: **Come**, Holy Spirit, come; Shed a ray of light divine; **Shine** within these hearts of yours and our inmost being fill.

**Heal** our wounds, our strength **renew**;

On our dryness **pour** your dew;

**Wash** the stains of guilt away:

**Bend** the stubborn heart and will;

**Melt** the frozen, **warm** the chill;

**Guide** the steps that go astray.

In your sevenfold gift **descend**;

Give \[us\] virtue’s sure reward;

Give \[us\] your salvation, Lord;

**Give \[us\] joys that never end.**

Amen. Alleluia.

 

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