The origin of the liturgical chant now called the Sequence dates to the ninth century. These chants were composed to follow the “Alleluia” verse as the Latin name Sequentia (“Continuing”) incorporates. Yet, now, “The Sequence…is sung before the Alleluia” (GIRM, n. 64). This change in its placement maintains the sequence’s historical origin of developing the Alleluia verse, though coming before the Alleluia turns it into a contemplative meditation on the mystery of the day in preparation for the proclamation of the Gospel. The assembly is to remain seated, which is a posture of meditation, and then stand as the Alleluia begins.
At one time in the liturgical history of the Church, there were over 5,000 sequences in existence. The vast majority of those were abolished at the Council of Trent and, now, in the post-Vatican II Liturgy only four survive—two are optional whereas the two Sequences for Easter (Lat. Victimae Paschali Laudes) and Pentecost (Lat. Veni, Sancte Spiritus) are obligatory. Their origins are obscure and mostly speculative. Liturgical historians theorize that the sequence likely began as a genre of poetry around the ninth century when Gregorian chant was flourishing and rapidly spreading throughout Europe. A signature element of the chant deriving from that era was a flowery, artistic expression on the last syllable of the Alleluia, which extended over several more notes — a technique that is now known as a melisma (Gk. μέλισμα) or jubilus. Because these jubili were often difficult to learn, poets and musicians started to use prose texts to help a singer memorize the long and complex melodies.
Pentecost Sequence: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
The Pentecost Sequence is a beautiful poetic prayer calling for the Holy Spirit to come among us as divine light, to comfort us in our labors and struggles, to heal our wounds and strengthen us, to bring us his seven-fold gifts. It reminds us that without the Spirit we are nothing and are incapable of doing good. In one notable section you read this, “Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray…” In that section, we plead that our hearts be ever more open to God’s will and presence, and that our actions be brought back to the right path. Help us to be always guided by this Spirit who keeps in us the balance and virtue between the extremes of fever and coldness.
In its concluding verses, there is this, “Give them virtue’s sure reward (or rich increase); give them your salvation, Lord (or saving grace to die in peace); Give them joys that never end. Amen. alleluia.” Virtue, like a healthy plant, cannot but grow under the rays of the Spirit of charity and truth, before finally introducing the soul, thus perfected, into the Trinity’s bosom. Perhaps this Pentecost, by reflecting on the content of this Sequence, the Holy Spirit can more easily enter the hearts and lives of those who implore Veni, sancte spiritus or Come, Holy Spirit, come! And bring with that coming of the Spirit, the heavenly gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Then, through the proper reception of those Spirit-driven gifts, there will come in their wake those “joys that never end.”
This Sequence is a hymn redolent of the great praise and thanksgiving offered to God the Holy Spirit, the most neglected Person of the Most Blessed Trinity. So highly prized was this hymn it once was often referred to as the Golden Sequence. This hymn is not only an invocation because it is also a prayer requesting that this divine Person dwell within the hearts of the faithful, replete with the radiant fruits of the Spirit.
Nature and dignity 