Prayer Adapted from Veni Creator
Spiritus
June 7th, 1992
Brother John Raymond
A very old and much-loved devotion practiced by the faithful is
the nine-day novena. Many have received favors and graces as a
result of this practice. But where did the idea of praying for
something for nine consecutive days originate? It is believed that
it began in imitation of Our Lady, the Apostles, the Holy Women and
the disciples who spent nine days in prayer for the coming of the
Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Of course we know the result of this first
Novena - the descent of the Holy Spirit.
The following hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus" (Come, Creator Spirit)
can be used as a Novena to the Holy Spirit. It was written by
Blessed Rabanus Maurus. It has since been adopted by the Church in
its Liturgy. Blessed Rabanus was born probably in Mainz, Germany in
784. He was educated at the monastery school of Fulda and made his
religious vows at a very early age in this Benedictine monastery. He
was ordained a deacon in 801 and a year later sent to Tours for his
theology. It was here that Blessed Rabanus received the surname
Maurus after St. Maurus, a noted disciple of St. Benedict.
In 804 Blessed Rabanus returned to the monastery at Fulda and
became headmaster of the school run by the monks. His fame as a
teacher spread over Europe and the school under his guidance became
one of the most renowned of the age. He was ordained a priest in 815
and in 822 he became Abbot of the monastery. Under his leadership
the monastery enjoyed its greatest prosperity. He completed new
buildings begun by his predecessor, erected more than thirty
churches and oratories, enriched the abbey church with artistic and
costly ornaments, provided for the instruction of the laity by
preaching and by increasing the number of priests in various towns,
procured numerous books for the monastery library, and many other
works.
Because of the political disturbances of the times Blessed
Rabanus fled in 840, probably to avoid taking an oath of allegiance
to the new conquering king, Louis the German. He returned a year
later and in 842 resigned as Abbot, compelled, it is believed, by
King Louis. He retired to a neighboring town where he devoted
himself entirely to prayer and literary labors. In 845 he was
reconciled with the King and in 847 became Archbishop of Mainz. He
imposed strict discipline on his clergy and held two synods
condemning the heretical teaching of a monk in his Archdiocese.
Blessed Rabanus was also distinguished for his charity to the poor.
It is said that during the famine of 850 he daily fed more than 300
persons. He wrote a martyrology (a catalogue of martyrs and saints
arranged chronologically) and some poetry. He died at Winkel, near
Mainz, on February 4th, 856. His learning and influence was so great
that he was called "The Teacher of Germany." Although not formally
beatified, he is venerated as blessed.
Adapted from Veni Creator Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come from Your bright heavenly
throne. Come, take possession of my soul and make it all Your own.
You are the living spring, the living fire, sweet anointing and true
love. You are sevenfold in Your gifts - teaching us, your little
ones, to understand. Guide our minds with Your blest light and with
Your love inflame our hearts. With Your strength which never fails
fortify our weak nature. Drive our deadly foe far from us and bring
Your true peace to us. From all earthly perils lead us safe beneath
Your Sacred Wing. Through You may we know the Father and the Eternal
Son. All glory be given to the Father and the co-equal Son and the
same to You great Paraclete while endless ages run. Amen.