- Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou Light of all that live!
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."
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 ONCE
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES
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.
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.
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.