Novena to the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit]

FIRST DAY

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light!
From Thy clear celestial height.
Thy pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Ghost

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 Holyn 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."

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all 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.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

SECOND DAY

Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear

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 the 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."

Prayer

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.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

THIRD DAY

Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

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.

Prayer

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.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

FOURTH DAY

Thou in toil art comfort sweet;
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude

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."

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude uphold my soul in time of troubles 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.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

FIFTH DAY

Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge

The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their 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."

Prayer

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.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

SIXTH DAY

Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.
The Gift of Understanding

The Gift of Understanding

Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Ghost, 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 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.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

SEVENTH DAY

The Gift of Counsel

The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be 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 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. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

EIGHTH DAY

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of Wisdom it is written "all good things come to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light."

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

NINTH DAY

Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore
In Thy sevenfold gifts, descend:
Give them comfort when they die;
Give the life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.

The Fruits of the Holy Ghost

The gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue becomes more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Ghost. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary on the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary

Glory be to the Father

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited daily during the novena)

Amen,I ask prayers for the family of GrandEagle who went to God today-remember his children in a special way.

Prayers for GrandEagle. Was he a FReeper?

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.

Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God . . . If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

Yes a member of the canteen.Salvation he was in the hospital 11 days ago and they sent him home with meds.He was told he would be OK,There is a prayer thread started.I will miss him much.Could you ping your list please.

Novena to the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit]

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The Church's First Novena

The Holy Spirit: Pentecost

My favorite prayer in the morning is to the Holy Spirit,I ask the Holy Spirit to inspire me and all those who are to help me.That is with the Ministry.

That sounds like a wonderful place to start each and every day.

It is and I ask St Joseph who is so strong to stay by my side.I had a dream and called on St Joseph,He showed me the meaning and it was not good.Understanding something and accepting it -two different things.

BTTT on the Third Day of the Pentecost Novena — 2007!

The Blank Page

Mickey Addison	Other Articles by Mickey Addison Printer Friendly Version

The Blank Page

May 20, 2007

There are days when the words flow from my mind right onto the page and others when they come a bit more slowly. Predictably, when I try to write on my own I am far less successful than when I ask the Holy Spirit to use me as His pencil.

I suppose every writer composes this article sooner or later: the "I don't know what to write" article. But coming from a decidedly catechetical perspective, I have the opportunity to write a slightly different one.

As Christians, we have the benefit of understanding our physical reality as part of a larger reality; all of creation points to it. We can see our world as more than mere flesh and bone, and because of that we have more family, more reality, more grace. In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church has a wonderfully concise passage that defines our reality: The Scriptural expression "heaven and earth" means all that exists, creation in its entirety. It also indicates the bond, deep within creation, that both unites heaven and earth and distinguishes the one from the other: "the earth" is the world of men, while "heaven" or "the heavens" can designate both the firmament and God's own "place" — "our Father in heaven" and consequently the "heaven" too which is eschatological glory. Finally, "heaven" refers to the saints and the "place" of the spiritual creatures, the angels, who surround God. (#326) Heaven and earth are distinct realities, but not unconnected. We are constantly in the presence of the Whole Church and her Divine Spouse.

Because we are baptized into the Body of Christ, we can become nearer to the Triune God than ever before. We are given a gift of intimacy with God that was impossible before the Incarnation, and because of this opportunity for intimacy, we have access to our Healer, Friend, and Advocate. Wherever the Spirit of God moves, He spreads His fruits and gifts. A person in the presence of the Divine Love of God is transformed and his soul opened to a reality that is at once here and everywhere simultaneously.

This is the power of the Spirit; the reason my "I don't know what to write" article is somewhat different. You see, as soon as I realize that I don't have to do this all alone and open my mind heart to the Spirit, the dam breaks and the words flow like torrents onto the page. The Consoler and Healer is instantly at my side, the Good Friend encouraging me and inspiring me to tell His story, to open the veil to the Glory of God. I cannot boast, because the words and the mind from where they come are not entirely mine. The fruits of the Spirit are like a spiritual "buffet" that He offers to us in order to accomplish the Father's will. For this task, I can choose patience, for that task, self-control, for another, kindness (Gal 5:22-23). In the end, I'm only alone in my task if I choose to be.

The reality that we ultimately reside in is not merely "the world" that we can sense with our physical senses, but the World our Creator fashioned that includes both heaven and earth, all that is seen and unseen. It's a testament to the love of God that He can grant us the immensity of Everything in a way that doesn't merely awe us, but lifts us somewhere beyond ourselves into that same Everything.

In this love, our daily tasks are no longer merely ours to perform, but we can have the assistance of the Spirit the moment we ask for Him. We are able to accomplish the Father's will in our own lives by living out the grace of our baptisms, and accepting the friendship offered in our confirmation. The bottom line is that we are not alone, even when we are by ourselves. We can meet any challenge if we are willing to accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Because of Christ, an abundance of love awaits us.

BTTT on the Fourth Day of the Pentecost Novena — 2007!