The First Day - Friday after the Ascension
Holy Spirit! Lord of light !
From Thy clear celestial height,
Thy pure beaming radiance give!
Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is
to be feared -- sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and
indifference. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love.
With His sevenfold gifts, He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and
inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure
our salvation, we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit
helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the
Spirit Himself asketh for us."
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the
Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all our sins, vouchsafe to send
forth from heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and
Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and
Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost (said daily)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself
soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy
purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou
art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I
live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace,
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for
Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling
to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me
in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and
looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His
opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my
infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee
always and everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost (said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, didst promise to send
the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples,
deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the
work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the
Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and
aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to
enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel
that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the
Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee, and that I may overcome
with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of
Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science
of the Saints, the Spirit of
Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, the Spirit of Fear
that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God, and may dread in any
way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples
and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen
St. John's - Holy Ghost Novena
Just as the disciples spent the days between Jesus' Ascension and the Coming of the Holy Ghost in prayer, we too should pray in preparation for Whitsunday, Pentecost, for the Gift of God the Holy Ghost. Originally published by the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1912.
Monday, April 25, 2016
SECOND DAY (Saturday) - The Gift of Holy Fear
Day Two (Saturday) Holy Fear
Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou Light of all that live!
Prayer
The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for
God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by Sin. It is a fear
that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and
filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning
of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate
us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in
His sight will sanctify their souls."
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost
heart, that I may set Thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to
shun all things that can offend Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the
pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in
the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost (said daily)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly
witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore
the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the
might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live
and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and
I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may
always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious
inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion
to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking
at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened
Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my
infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the
Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant
heareth." Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost (said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven,
didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy
Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may
perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of
Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only
after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my
mind with the light of Thy divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever
choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the Spirit of
Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee, and that I may overcome with
courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge
that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the
Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and
amiable, the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence
towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true
disciples and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
THIRD DAY (Sunday) - The Gift of Holy Piety
Third Day (Sunday)- Holy Piety
Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast
Dost refreshing peace bestow
The Gift of Piety
Prayer
The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection
for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His
sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested
with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its
visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is
filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a
burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no
labor.
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart.
Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His
service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority.
Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost (said daily)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly
witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore
the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the
might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live
and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and
I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may
always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious
inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy
compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus
and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring
His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of
my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the
Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant
heareth." Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost (said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven,
didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy
Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may
perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of
Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only
after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my
mind with the light of Thy divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever
choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the Spirit of
Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee, and that I may overcome with
courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge
that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the
Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and
amiable, the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence
towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples
and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
FOURTH DAY (Monday) - The Gift of Holy Fortitude
Fourth
Day -
Holy Fortitude
Thou in toil art comfort sweet
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
The Gift of Fortitude
Prayer - By the gift of Fortitude, the soul is strengthened
against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty.
Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to undertake
without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under
foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even
lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be
saved."
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in times of
trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my
weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may
never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good.
Amen.
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer
myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness
of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy
love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move
and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I
pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy
light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling
to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch
over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at
His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened
Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my
infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to
Thee always and everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost (said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, didst promise to
send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy Apostles and
Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect
in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of
Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire
only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to
enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel
that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven,
the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee, and that I may
overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the
Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in
the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service
of God sweet and amiable, the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a
loving reverence towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples and animate me in
all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
FIFTH DAY (Tuesday) - The Gift of Holy Knowledge
Fifth Day – Holy Knowledge (Tuesday)
Light immortal! Light
Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.
The Gift of Knowledge
Prayer
The gift of Knowledge enables
the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth -- in relation to God.
Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and
points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It
shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify
Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things
first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a
fountain of life to him that possesseth it."
Come, O Blessed Spirit of
Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the
nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them
only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and
Thy eternal rewards. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Holy
Ghost (to be said daily)
On my knees before the great
multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal
Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of
Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my
soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by
unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the
smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I
may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious
inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy
compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus
and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring
His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of
my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee
always and everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the
Holy Ghost (to
be said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who,
before ascending into heaven, didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish
Thy work in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same
Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy
love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of
this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of
Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth, the
Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and
gaining Heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee, and
that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,
the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in
the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of
God sweet and amiable, the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving
reverence towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear
Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples and animate me in all things with Thy
Spirit. Amen.
SIXTH DAY (Wednesday) - The Gift of Holy Understanding
Day Six - HOLY UNDERSTANDING
Thou take Thy grace away,
nothing pure in man will stay,
All his good is turn'd to ill.
The Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit,
helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion by faith we
know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It
enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them
to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and
inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the
faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things
pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and
enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of
salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in
the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son.
Amen.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (to be said daily)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (to be said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
SEVENTH DAY (Thursday) - The Gift of Holy Counsel
SEVENTH DAY (Thursday)
Heal our wounds--our strength renews;
On our dryness pour Thy dew,
Wash the stains of guilt away.
The Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel endows the soul
with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must
done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles
furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that
confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public
servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a
priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things,
pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me
in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that
which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the
straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I
long.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (to be said daily)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (to be said daily)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (to be said daily)
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending
into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the
souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me
that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me
the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and
aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to
enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel
that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the
Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome
with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of
Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science
of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and
amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence
towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with
the sign of your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit.
Amen.
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