24 Organ works based on Veni Creator, 102 pages
The scripture readings and prayers of the Catholic Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours caused organists to play certain chants one or more times a year after year for centuries. These simply grew into their fingers, muscle memory. And became part of history.
Veni Creator is one of those chants.
The practice of singing one of four Marian hymns after mass – Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina Caelorum, Regina Caeli, or Salve Regina – led creative organists to improvise variations on these chants as people were leaving or taking time to pray after Mass. This was firmly in practice more than 500 years ago and is continued today.
Mark Martin in his Thesaurus Precum Latinarum writes:
One of the most widely used hymns in the Church, Veni, Creator Spiritus, is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). It is used at Vespers, Pentecost, Dedication of a Church, Confirmation, and Holy Orders and whenever the Holy Spirit is solemnly invoked. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost.