Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 1

[To be used in preparation for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon our Confirmands and within our parish. This Prayer is to he said from Friday, September 10 – Saturday, September 18, inclusive.]

Begin with this prayer each day:

O Holy Spirit, my Lord and my God, l adore You and humbly acknowledge here in Your sacred presence that I am nothing, and can do
nothing, without Your operation within me. Come, great Paraclete, thou Father of the poor, thou Comforter of the blest, fulfill the promise of our Savior, who would not leave us orphans, and enter my mind and heart as You descended on the day of Pentecost upon the holy Mother of Jesus and upon His first disciples. Grant that I may have a part in those gifts, which You did so prodigally bestow upon them.

Take from my heart all that is not pleasing to You and make of it a worthy dwelling place for Jesus.

Illumine my mind, that l may see and understand the things that are for my eternal welfare.

Inflame my heart with pure love of the Father, that, cleansed from attachment to all unworthy objects, my whole life may be hidden with Jesus in God.

Strengthen my will, that it may be conformable to the will of my Creator and guided by thy holy inspirations.

Aid me to practice the heavenly virtues of humility, poverty, and obedience, which are taught me in the earthly life of Jesus.

Descend upon me, O mighty Spirit, that, inspired and encouraged by You, I may faithfully fulfill the duties of my state in life, carry my daily cross with patience and courage, and accomplish the Father’s will for me more perfectly. Make me, day by day, more holy and give to me that heavenly peace which the world cannot give.

O Holy Spirit, thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant to me the intentions of this novena of prayer. May the Father’s will be done in me and through me. And may You, O mighty Spirit of the living God, be praised and glorified for ever and ever. Amen.

Then follows the hymn to the Holy Spirit: Come, Thou Creator

Come, Thou Creator, Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

Great Paraclete, to Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high;
O living Fount, O Fire, O Love,
And sweet anointing from above.

The mystic seven-fold gifts are Thine,
Finger of God’s right hand divine,
The Father’s promise sent to teach,
The tongue a rich and heavenly speech.

All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son,
Who gave us life; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally.

Amen.

Then is said the Our Father and Hail Mary.

Then follows the prayer proper to the day:

Come, O Holy Ghost, the Lord and Life-giver;
take up Your dwelling within my soul, and
make of it Your sacred temple. Make me live by
grace as an adopted son of God. Pervade all the
energies of my soul, and create in me a fountain
of living water springing up into life everlasting.
Especially take up residence within our
confirmation candidates: Celena, Hannah,
Jenna, Mark, Sebesany. Allow them to feel Your
presence within them.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 23
  • 9/5 – Genesis 6:5-22, Genesis 7, and Genesis 8:1-22 – Has the violence on the earth diminished? What am I doing to reduce or end our violence against one another? How do I spread the forgiveness of God?
  • 9/6 – Genesis 9 – How do I respect the gift of life in everything God has made? How do I respect my own life? Do I recognize that I too am bound to all God’s creation?
  • 9/7 – Genesis 10:1-32 and Genesis 11:1-26 – How are the nations of the world divided against each other? How can people reunite to establish worldwide peace and justice?
  • 9/8 – Genesis 11:27-32, Genesis 12-13 – How has God called me to leave something and start over? Who has supported me by believing in me?
  • 9/9 – Genesis 14-15 – What demands has God made of me? How much do I trust God? How much do I value my relationship with God?
  • 9/10 – Genesis 16 – Have l ever tired to hurry God? What was the result? Have I ever given God a new name?
  • 9/11 – Genesis 17 – What relationships have transformed my life? Have I been given a new name? When have I laughed at the extravagance of God’s promise?

May your study bring you fulfillment and peace! As the month of September begins this week, it brings the beginning of school as well. Let us turn to the beginning of our Scriptures and begin from the beginning to hear the word of God in our lives!