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“O ignis Spiritus paracliti …” by Saint Hildegard of Bingen 🇩🇪 (c. 1098 – 17 Sep 1179)
Translated from the Latin by Nathaniel M. Campbell
Sequence for the Holy Spirit
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1a. O fire of the Spirit and Defender,
the life of every life created:
Holy are you—giving life to every form.
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1b. Holy are you—anointing the critically
broken. Holy are you—cleansing
the festering wounds.
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2a. O breath of holiness,
O fire of love,
O taste so sweet within the breast,
that floods the heart with virtues’ fragrant good.
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2b. O clearest fountain,
in which is seen the mirrored work of God:
to gather the estranged
and seek again the lost.
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3a. O living armor, hope that binds
the every limb,
O belt of honor: save the blessed.
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3b. Guard those enchained in evil’s prison,
and loose the bonds of those
whose saving freedom is the forceful will of God.
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4a. O mighty course that runs within and through
the all—up in the heights, upon the earth,
and in the every depth—
you bind and gather all together.
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4b. From you the clouds flow forth, the wind takes flight,
the stones their moisture hold,
the waters rivers spring,
and earth viridity exudes.
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5a. You are the teacher of the truly learned,
whose joy you grant
through Wisdom’s inspiration.
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5b. And so may you be praised, who are the sound of praise,
the joy of life, the hope and potent honor,
and the giver of the gifts of light.