Novena to the Holy Ghost

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The Ascension of Our Lord
J.M.J.

NOVENA to the HOLY GHOST
- Start Friday, June 3

Foreword
The novena to the Holy Ghost is the oldest of all novenas since it
was first made at the direction of Our Lord when He sent His apostles
back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Ghost on the First
Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the
Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a
powerful plea for the light, strength and love so sorely needed by
every Christian.

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 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."

Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who has 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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

ACT OF CONSECRATION to the HOLY GHOST
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
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.

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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SIXTH DAY
If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.

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 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 of 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
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SEVENTH DAY
Heal our wounds--our strength renew;
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 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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

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 (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts

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PRAYERS to the HOLY GHOST

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts or 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.

O God, unto Whom every heart is open, every desire known and from
Whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and
worthily praise Thy Holy Name.

Burn our reins and our heart, O Lord, With the fire of the Holy
Ghost, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body and please Thee with
a clean heart.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Comforter who proceedeth from Thee,
may enlighten our minds and lead us into all truth, as Thy Son hath
promised.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the power of the Holy Ghost may be with
us, mercifully cleansing our hearts and defending them from all harm.

O God, Who didst teach the hearts of the faithful by the light of the
Holy Ghost, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and
ever rejoice in His consolation.

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The above "Prayers to the Holy Ghost"
http://olrl.org/pray/HolyGhost.shtml
 are available on a card for 2¢ ea. and the booklet "The Holy Ghost -
Our Greatest Friend" by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan
http://olrl.org/books/holyghost.shtml
 is available for $1.60.
Visit our Store at http://olrl.org/mm5/merchant.mvc
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