Saint
Joseph
Saint
Joseph
Publish a Prayer
Holy Spirit Novena Prayer
Father of light and
of love, from whom every good gift comes, send forth the power of
your Spirit into our lives to renew the Church preparing for the new
millennium.Open our minds and hearts, and fill us with the virtue of
charity. Loosen our tongues to sing your praises
and to proclaim
the Gospel of Salvation to all. Use us as bold instruments of the New
Evangelization, in union with the Immaculate Virgin Mary and St.
Maximilian Kolbe. Help us to realize that without your Spirit, we
could never bring peace and reconciliation to our broken world, nor
announce the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord. We ask all these things
(along with those special intentions of this novena) in Jesus'
name,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen
Friday after Ascension Thursday thru Saturday, the Vigil of
Pentecost
This is the prototype of all novenas. It
commemorates the nine days between the Ascension of Our Lord and the
descent of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost Sunday. During this
time Our Lady and the twelve Apostles prayed in the Cenacle for the
coming of the Paraclete. Our Lord Himself instituted this novena, and
it is celebrated every year by the whole Church.
Primary
Intention: Like the Apostles, we pray that the Holy Ghost will
come into our lives and set the Church and faithful on fire with true
Apostolic zeal.
Secondary Intention: On Pentecost
Sunday every year, we renew our consecration to Jesus through Mary as
prescribed by Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. On this solemn occasion,
we pray that we may be true to our consecration and live it ever more
faithfully during the year to come. Every member of the Crusade
should feel that he or she has a special obligation to make this
novena.
Form for the novena: State the intentions
given above, and then open your heart to God the Holy Ghost in this
prayer:
O Holy Ghost, O my God, I adore Thee, and
acknowledge, here in Thy divine presence, that I am nothing and can
do nothing without Thee. Come, great Paraclete, Thou father of the
poor, Thou comforter the best, fulfil the promise of our blessed
Savior, Who would not leave us orphans, and come into the mind and
the heart of Thy poor, unworthy creature, as Thou didst descend on
the sacred day of Pentecost on the holy Mother of Jesus and on His
first disciples. Grant that I may participate in those gifts which
Thou didst communicate to them so wonderfully, and with so much mercy
and generosity. Take from my heart whatever is not pleasing to Thee,
and make of it a worthy dwelling-place for Thyself. Illumine my mind,
that I may see and understand the things that are for my eternal
good. Inflame my heart with pure love of Thee, that I may be cleansed
from the dross of all inordinate attachments, and that my whole life
may be hidden with Jesus in God. Strengthen my will, that I may be
made comformable to Thy divine will, and be guided by Thy holy
inspirations. Aid me by Thy grace to practice the divine lessons of
humility, poverty, obedience, and contempt of the world, which Jesus
taught us in His mortal life.
Oh, rend the heavens, and come
down, consoling Spirit! that inspired and encouraged by Thee, I may
faithfully comply with the duties of my state, carry my daily cross
most patiently, and endeavor to accomplish the divine will with the
utmost perfection. Spirit of love! Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace!
Sanctify my soul more and more, and give me that heavenly peace which
the world cannot give. Bless our Holy Father the Pope, bless the
Church, bless our bishops, our priests, all Religious Orders, and all
the faithful, that they may be filled with the spirit of Christ and
labor earnestly for the spread of His kingdom.
O Holy Ghost,
Thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant me, I beseech Thee,
the intentions of this novena. May Thy will be done in me and through
me. Mayest Thou be praised and glorified forevermore! Amen.
First Day: The Holy Ghost
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.
Our Father... Hail Mary... 7 Glory Bes...
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
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, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against
You. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, 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
Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send
the Holy Spirit to Your apostles and disciples.
Grant that the
same Spirit may perfect in our lives the work of Your grace and
love.
Grant us the Spirit of Fear Of The Lord that we may be
filled with a loving reverence toward You.
the Spirit of Piety
that we may find peace and fulfillment in the service of God while
serving others;
the Spirit of Fortitude that we may bear our cross
with You and, with courage, overcome the obstacles that interfere
with our salvation;
the Spirit of Knowledge that we may know You
and know ourselves and grow in holiness;
the Spirit of
Understanding to enlighten our minds with the light of Your
truth;
the Spirit of Counsel that we may choose the surest way of
doing Your will, seeking first the Kingdom;
Grant us the Spirit of
Wisdom that we may aspire to the things that last forever;
Teach
us to be Your faithful disciples and animate us in every way with
Your Spirit.
Amen.
Second Day: The Gift of Fear
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 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... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Third Day: The Gift of Piety
Thou, of all consolers
best,
Visiting the troubled breast
Dost refreshing peace bestow
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.
Our Father... Hail Mary... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Fourth Day: The Gift of Fortitude
Thou in toil art
comfort sweet
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the
midst of woe.
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.
Our Father... Hail Mary... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Fifth Day: The Gift of Knowledge
Light immortal!
Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost
being fill.
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.
Our Father... Hail Mary... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Sixth Day: The Gift of Understanding
If Thou take
Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay,
All his good is
turn'd to ill.
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."
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.
Our Father... Hail Mary... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Seventh Day: The Gift of Counsel
Heal our wounds -
our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the
stains of guilt away!
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 these things, pray to the
Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."
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... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Eighth Day: The Gift of Wisdom
Bend the stubborn
heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the
steps that go astray!
Embodying all the other gifts, as
charity embraces all other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the
gifts. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came 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."
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 passing joys and satisfactions of the earth. Help me
to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.
Our Father... Hail Mary... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Ninth Day: The Fruits of the Holy Ghost
Thou, on
those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In Thy
sevenfold gifts, descend:
Give them comfort when they die;
Give
them life with Thee on high;
Give them joy which never ends. Amen.
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 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.
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 in 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... 7 Glory Bes..
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost. {see above}
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost {see above}
Prayer to the Holy Ghost
Come, O Holy Ghost, fill
the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy
love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt
renew the face of the earth. Oh God Who didst instruct the hearts of
the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant us in the same
Spirit to be truly wise and to ever rejoice in His consolations,
through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
