Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints
- Andrew Corsini, bishop and confessor
- Theophilus the Penitent
- Phileas, bishop and martyr
- Isidore of Pelusium, abbot
- Modan, abbot
- Nicholas Studites, abbot
- Rembert, bishop
- Joan of Valois, matron
- Joseph of Leonessa
- John de Britto, martyr
- Rabanus Maurus, abbot and bishop
St. Rabanus Maurus or Raban Maur (780-856 A.D.) is credited with composing the hymn "Veni, Creator Spiritus" (Latin for Come, Creator Spirit), and laying the foundation for another hymn, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords", both of which are still sung today.
Said to be born at Mainz, Germany, (or Ireland or probably Scotland), he was educated at the monastery at Fulda under Abbot Bangulf and at Tours under Alcuin. Under Alcuin, Rabanus became a part of the Carolingian renewal of biblical studies and liturgy.
Rabanus returned to Fulda and became master of its school in about 799 A.D. He was ordained in 815 A.D. and became abbot in 822 A.D. He resigned from this position to retire in 842 A.D. but then five years later, in 847 A.D., at the age of 71, he was elected archbishop of Mainz. He imposed strict discipline on his clergy which almost led to a conspiracy against him. But he is more known as the one who helped alleviate a famine by feeding the poor at his episcopal residence. Aside from the Veni Creator Spiritus, he also composed and wrote a martyrology, poetry, and about 64 extant homilies. He died at Winkel, near Mainz.
Veni, Creator Spiritus
by Rabanus Maurus
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come,
From thy bright heavenly throne!
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all thine own!
Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction, and true love!
Thou who are sevenfold in thy grace,
Finger of God's right hand,
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand!
O guide our minds with thy blest light,
With love our hearts inflame,
And with thy strength which ne'er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our hellish foe,
True peace unto us bring,
And through all perils guide us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.
Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee the eternal Son,
And thee the Spirit of them both
Thrice-blessed three in one.
All glory to the Father be,
And to the risen Son;
The same to thee, O Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.
Veni, Creator Spiritus, in Gregorian chant, YouTube.com (2:50 minutes)
Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 4]
- Isidore of Pelusium
- St. Jador, Martyr
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