From a sermon by Saint Bonaventure (+ 1274 A. D.), Franciscan theologian and Doctor of the Church:
The mysteries are these: the blessed fecundity of the undefiled Virgin; the humility, at once sublime and singular, of the superblessed Child; the courteous devotion of Blessed Joseph; the devout credulity of the simple shepherds; the new mirth of the angelic spirits; the beginning of the happiness of the whole human race; the beginning of the radiance of the Christian religion.
Saint Bonaventure, In vigilia nativitatis Domini, sermo 6; Opera omnia, ed. Franciscans of Quaracchi (1882-1902), volume 9, page 95.
Here is John Mason Neale's translation of Veni sancte spiritus, also known as the "Golden Sequence"; we sing it on the feast of Pentecost. As far as I can tell, the original is usually attributed to Stephen Langton (+ 1228 A.D.).
Father Neale was kind enough to preserve the meter of the original, so it fits perfectly with the ancient chant melody.
Come, Thou holy Paraclete, And from Thy celestial seat Send Thy light and brilliancy: Father of the poor, draw near; Giver of all gifts, be here; Come, the soul's true radiancy.
Come, of comforters the best, Of the soul the sweetest guest, Come in toil refreshingly: Thou in labor rest most sweet, Thou art shadow from the heat, Comfort in adversity.
O Thou Light, most pure and blest, Shine within the inmost breast Of Thy faithful company. Where Thou art not, man hath naught; Every holy deed and thought Comes from Thy divinity.
What is soilèd, make Thou pure; What is wounded, work its cure; What is parchèd, fructify; What is rigid, gently bend; What is frozen, warmly tend; Strengthen what goes erringly.
Fill Thy faithful, who confide In Thy power to guard and guide, With Thy sevenfold mystery. Here Thy grace and virtue send: Grant salvation to the end, And in Heav'n felicity.
Saint Bonaventure: De Assumptione B. V. M. sermo 4; Sancti Bonaventurae opera omnia, vol. 9 (Quaracchi, 1901), 695:
Carissimi, dearly beloved, the excellent sublimity of the glorious Virgin so surpasses human capacity that words do not suffice to unfold it. That is why the Holy Spirit, who filled her with the Gifts and Virtues, speaking through the Prophets and the other Doctors of Sacred Scripture, praises her in many different ways, not only by plain words, but also by figures and metaphors.
