A note from the author

The story, Enigma of Fire: A Berdie Elliott Pentecost Mystery, has a festive Berdie singing a song to herself at the Whitsun Regatta while she waits for Maggie Fairchild. “Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire,” or rightly titled “Veni, Creator Spiritus” in the original Latin, was written in the ninth century and sung in the early church. John Cosin (1594–1672), Dean and Bishop of Durham, England, translated it into English. It is paired, to this day, with a surviving plainsong melody. Although it was originally sung at Pentecost, it is now also raised in song at ordination services of the clergy throughout England.

“Veni, Creator Spiritus”

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

And lighten with celestial fire;

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

Who dost Thy sev’nfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above

Is comfort, life, and fire of love;

Enable with perpetual light

The dullness of our blinded sight.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,

And Thee, of both, to be but One,

That through the ages all along

This may be our endless song:

“Praise to Thy eternal merit,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”