which was so lovely, so amiable, so deserving of their tenderest love, how can we hope for His descent into our hearts, which are defiled by a thousand imperfect and sinful inclinations? O my God, if Thou desirest to give us Thy divine Spirit, prepare Thyself His dwelling in our souls; unite our hearts and affections to the ardent sighs and perfect dispositions with which Thy blessed Mother and apostles awaited His coming. And Thou, O adorable Spirit! Who breathest where Thou wilt, deign to descend on us, who are here assembled in Thy name, and on all the members of Thy Church, to which Thou wilt teach all truth to the end of time. O Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace! Whom the foulest stains of sin can not resist, purify our souls, and infuse therein that peace which the world can not give. Oh, rend the heavens and come down, consoling Spirit! that, strengthened and encouraged by Thee, we may faithfully comply with the duties of our holy state, embrace the cross, in whatever shape it is presented, and study to accomplish the divine will with the utmost perfection.
HYMN TO THE HOLY GHOST.
COME, Holy Ghost, send down those beams
Which sweetly flow in silent streams
From Thy bright throne above;
O come, Thou Father of the poor.
O come, Thou Source of all our store;
Come fill our hearts with love.
O Thou, of Comforters the best,
O Thou, the soul's delightful guest,
The pilgrim's sweet relief;
Thou art true rest in toil and sweat,
Refreshment in the excess of heat,
And Solace in our grief.
Thrice blessed light, shoot home Thy darts,
And pierce the centers of those hearts
Whose faith aspires to Thee;
Without Thy Godhead, nothing can
Have any price or worth in man,
Nothing can harmless be.
Lord, wash our sinful stains away,
Water from heaven our barren clay,
Our wounds and bruises heal;
To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow;
