Nunc sancte nobis spiritus

Nunc Sancte nobis Spiritus (lat. "Now, Holy Spirit") is a Christian hymn that is traditionally attributed to St. Ambrose of Milan . In him the presence of the Holy Spirit is implored.

Liturgical place

The hymn is mainly sung in the third of the Liturgy of the Hours . This goes back to the Acts of the Apostles ( Acts 2.15 EU ), according to whose report the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost . Since the disciples seemed to be drunk to the bystanders, Peter defended them with explicit reference to the early hour of the day, namely the third hour (corresponds to 9 o'clock). Therefore, Christian hymns and prayers that are meant for this time of day often relate to the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The chorale melody to the Latin text of this hymn changes through the church year.

Lore

The hymn can already be found in a hymn from the end of the 8th century.

Latin text

Latin text	Literal translation
Nunc, Sancte, nobis, Spiritus, Unum Patri cum Filio, Dignare promptus ingeri Nostro refusus pectori. Os, lingua, mens, sensus, vigor Confessionem personent. Flammescat igne caritas, Accendat ardor proximos. Praesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.	Now, Holy Spirit, one with the Father and the Son, willingly settle down with us, overflow our hearts! Mouth and tongue, heart, mind, strength Let the confession ring out! Love is kindled in fire, embers also embrace your neighbors! Grant (this), most faithful father, (And) you only one, like the father, together with the support spirit ruling through all time. Amen.
Alternative ending
Per te sciamus da Patrem, Noscamus atque Filium, Te utriusque Spiritum Credamus omni tempore! Amen.	Through you let us know about the Father and also recognize the Son and believe in you as both spirits at all times! Amen.

When used as a hymn, only three stanzas are used. The upper three stanzas represent the version in which the hymn is usually used in the Office. The respective final stanza goes back to the hymn Veni creator spiritus .

Re-seal

Come, Holy Spirit, from the eternal throne,
one with the Father and the Son;
work through our soul completely
with your divinity power and splendor.

Fill
mind, tongue, meaning and life force with holy passion ;
make the power of love strong in us,
that it kindles the heart of the brothers.

Let us see the Father in faith,
his image, the Son, understand
and trust you, who pervades
us and brings us the life of God. Amen.

Remarks

↑ ^a ^b Solesmes Abbey (ed.): Liber Usualis. Tournai / New York 1961, ed. von der, pp. 235, 318, 407, 458, 519, 531, 569, 808, 846, 969, 1256, 1708 ( archive.org ).
^ With reference to Cod. XXV d / 86, formerly of the St. Paul Abbey Library in Lavanttal . Suitbert Bäumer : History of the Breviary. Attempt at a source-like representation of the development of the early church and the Roman office up to our day. Freiburg im Breisgau 1895, p. 256, footnote 4 ( books.google.de ).

[Liber-1] Solesmes Abbey (ed.): Liber Usualis. Tournai / New York 1961, ed. von der, pp. 235, 318, 407, 458, 519, 531, 569, 808, 846, 969, 1256, 1708 ( archive.org ).

[2] With reference to Cod. XXV d / 86, formerly of the St. Paul Abbey Library in Lavanttal . Suitbert Bäumer : History of the Breviary. Attempt at a source-like representation of the development of the early church and the Roman office up to our day. Freiburg im Breisgau 1895, p. 256, footnote 4 ( books.google.de ).