Posted on 05/25/2006 8:42:55 PM PDT by Salvation
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 "Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God "Father" and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory." - St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto |
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A hymn and prayer from the East.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth! You are
everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of
Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us,
cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious
Lord.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT BY ST. ANTIOCHUS
O Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter: You proceed from the
Father in a manner beyond our understanding. Come, I
beseech You, and take up you abode in my heart. Purify
and cleanse me from all sin, and sanctify my soul.
Cleanse it from every impurity, water its dryness, melt
its coldness, and save it from sinful ways. Make me
truly humble and resigned, that I may be pleasing to
You, and that You abide with me forever. Most blessed
Light, most amiable Light, enlighten me. O rapturous
Joy of Paradise, Fount of purest delight, my God, give
yourself to me, and kindle in my innermost soul the
fire of your love. My Lord, instruct, direct, and
defend me in all things. Give me strength against all
immoderate fears and against despondency. Bestow upon
me a true faith, a firm hope, and a sincere and perfect
love. Grant that I always do your most gracious will.
Amen.
Thanks, sandyeggo! Good to see you!
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Novena to the Seven Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your 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 Spirit 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 Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your 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 and Hail Mary ONCE. |
Thanks, better tha google or yahoo.
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SECOND DAY (Saturday, 6th Week of Easter) Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, 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 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 you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen. Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. |
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THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter) 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 and Hail Mary ONCE. |
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FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter)
Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.
The Gift of Fortitude
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 under take 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 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 and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter)
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 and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter)
If 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.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter) 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. Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
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 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 Saviour: "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 and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
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| The Church's First Novena |
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| 06/02/06 |
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The poet Wordsworth spoke succinctly of our struggles with human weakness: "The world is too much with us," he said. We are supposed to live in the world, but not of the world, but that is a difficult balance to maintain at times and we often fail to live up to our spiritual calling. If we are to pull ourselves away from so many worldly seductions and live with our minds set on the world to come, we need divine assistance. In reality, we need an Advocate. |
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NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost) Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen The Fruits of the Holy Spirit The gifts of the Holy Spirit 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 Spirit, 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 Spirit. 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 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 and Hail Mary ONCE. |
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BTTT on the First Day of the Pentecost Novena — 2007!
BTTT on the Second Day of the Pentecost Novena — 2007!
Begin be reciting the following prayer... O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler! I adore you as my True God. I bless You by uniting myself to the praises You receive from the angel and saints. I offer You my whole heart, and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed and do unceasingly bestow upon the world. You are the author of all supernatural gifts and who did enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech you to visit me by Your grace and Your love, and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... O Holy Spirit, spirit of truth, come into our hearts: shed the brightness of your light on all nations, that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Recite the prayer of the appropriate day...
DAY ONE
O Holy Spirit, bestow upon us Your seven holy gifts. Enlighten our understanding that we may know You. Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us and that we may accept it. Grant us the gift of counsel that we may always perceive what is right. Fortify us that we may always be capable of fulfilling Your Divine Will. Inspire us with the spirit of learning that we may be able to penetrate more deeply into the truths that You have revealed. Let our hearts be steeped in the spirit of childlikeness that we may bring You joy. Let us have proper fear of God that we may never grieve You or wander from the path of goodness. Give us the fulness of Your gifts that we may glorify You. Amen. Look with compassion upon us, O Holy Spirit, and grant us the favor we seek in this novena... State your request here... if it be in accordance with Your Holy Will.
DAY TWO
O Holy Spirit, make me faithful in every thought, and grant that I may always listen to your voice, and watch for Your light, 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, looking at His Five Wounds, trusting in His Precious Blood, adoring His opened side and stricken heart, I implore You adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace, now and always, and grant us the favor we ask in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY THREE
Heavenly Father, You have called me to be a member of the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. I ask You to give me these gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, that I may understand the follies of this world; understanding, that I may grasp more fully the meaning of my existence and the purpose of all things in the world; counsel, that I may always choose the proper way; fortitude, that I may remain faithful to You under the pressure of temptation.; piety, that I may revere You in all I do, think or say; fear of the Lord, that should the motive of love fail me, I may quickly be awakened to the eternal consequences of my deeds. Visit me by Your grace and Your love and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY FOUR
O God, Who today by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, give us, by the light of the same Holy Spirit, a love for what is right and just and a constant enjoyment of His comforts. Pray Holy Spirit, that I may strive to learn more of my faith; that I may ever be conscious that reason in all its human magnificence is capable of grasping but a glimpse of the reality that is God. Pray that I may accept as the motto of my life: "All for the greater glory of God" and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY FIVE
Come, O Spirit of sanctity, from the glory of heaven and send forth the radiance of Your light. Father of all the poor, light and peace of all hearts, come with Your countless gifts. Consoler in desolation; refreshment full of loveliness, come dear friend of my soul. In weariness send repose; breath gently cool refreshing breeze; console the desolate who weep alone. Light of Beatitude, make our hearts ready; come enter our souls. Without Your grace, man stands alone; he cannot be good or sure. Cleanse what is soiled; heal what is wounded; moisten what is arid. Bend the stubborn will; warm the cold heart; guide the wandering footstep. O Holy Spirit, we beg You to give us grace through Your sevenfold power and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Give us merit for the present, and one day beatitude when we have finished our earthly journey. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY SIX
O Father in Heaven, I beg You to send the Holy Spirit. May Your Holy Spirit remind me when I am apt to forget Your law. Your love, Your promises. May Your Holy Spirit strengthen my memory to recall frequently Your sanctity, omniscience, wisdom, and goodness, faithfulness, and love. May Your Holy Spirit encourage me when I am slothful; strengthen me when I am weak; enlighten me when I no longer can help myself. Breathe into me, O Holy Spirit, that I may do what is holy. Stir me, that I may love what is holy. Strengthen me, that I may preserve what is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may never lose what is holy and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY SEVEN
Come, Holy Spirit, creator of all things: come visit our hearts with Your power. Fill with grace, friendly guest, the hearts which You have created. You are called the Consoler, gift from the hand of God, source of life, light, love, and flame, highest good. You are the pledge of sevenfold grace, finger of the Father’s hand, promised us by Him, and You make our tongues speak the truth. Cast light on our senses, pour love into our hearts. Grant our weak bodies strength that they may never grow weary of doing good and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Keep the enemy far from us, give us peace always, let us willingly follow in Your footsteps that we may be far removed from sin. Grant that through You we may grow in knowledge of the Father and of the Son, and that we may ever strongly believe in You, the Spirit of both. Praise and honor be forever to the Father on the highest throne, in the risen Son of God, in the Consoler. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY EIGHT
O Holy Spirit, life and light of the Church, give us thoughts higher than our own thoughts, and prayers better than our own prayers, and powers beyond our own powers, that we may love and live, imitating Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Come to us, Holy Spirit, come with the Father and the Son and grant me the favor I so earnestly request in this novena... State your request here... Vouchsafe to dwell within our souls and quickly make our hearts Your own. Quench in us the fires of hate and strife, the wasting fever of the heart. From perils guard our feeble life and to our souls Your peace impart. Let voice and mind and heart and strength confess and glorify Your name and let the fire of charity burn bright and other hearts inflame. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
DAY NINE
O Lord, Holy Spirit, grant me sight to see the wondrous promise of divine love; insight to see my own weakness; delight in Your divine presence in my soul which You have made Your temple through sanctifying grace. I pray, O Holy Spirit, that I may be not doubting; that I be spared the pain of being alone without trust or hope in Christ; that my prayer may always be "My Lord and my God!" I pray that I may acquire a sense of retreat to prayer and recollection at various times in my daily life; for prayer is the bond that joins us to Christ. I pray that I may be aware of the physical needs of the poor and that I may share what I can with them in the charitable works of the Church. I pray, O Holy Spirit, that You will in Your mercy grant me the favor I have sought in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
BTTT on the Third Day of the Pentecost Novena — 2007!
| Other Articles by Mickey Addison Printer Friendly Version |
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| The Blank Page | |
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!
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