PRAYER OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA

May 13

 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

Also known as

Lady of the Rosary (she called herself that when Lucia asked her name)

Commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children in Fatima, Portugal on the 13th of each month from May to October in 1917. Our Lady appeared to Lucia, age 9, Blessed Francisco Marto, age 8, and Blessed Jacinta Marto, age 6, while they were tending sheep; they described her as "a woman all in white, more brilliant than the sun", and her message was to do reparation for sins that offend God, and to pray constantly for the conversion of sinners. She asked for devotion to the Holy Trinity, and for praying the Rosary daily for world peace. Word spread, and by the final apparition on 13 October, 70,000 people showed up to witness the Lady and the sign that she had promised; they witnessed the sun make three circles and zigzag around in the sky.

Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us! 🙏

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA 

O Virgin of Fatima, Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and earth, Refuge of Sinners, we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart. To you we consecrate our hearts and souls, our families and all that we have. And in order that this consecration may be truly effective and lasting, we renew today the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation; and we undertake to live as good Christians, faithful to God, the Church and the Holy Father. We desire to pray the Rosary, partake in the Holy Eucharist, attach special importance to the first Saturday of the month and work for the conversion of sinners. Furthermore we promise, O most holy Virgin, that we zealously spread devotion to you, so that through our consecration to Your Immaculate Heart and through your own intercession, the coming of the Kingdom of Christ in the world may be hastened. Amen.

PATRON SAINT OF TEENAGERS St.Pancras (290 - 304)

SAINT OF THE DAY

Feast Day: May 12



St.Pancras

(290 - 304)




Pancras was born in 290 AD in Synnada, Phrygia a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia (modern Turkey).


He is also known by the names Pancritas and Pancratius. He was orphaned at an early age and taken to Rome by his uncle, Dionysius.


Pancras converted to Christianity after meeting Christians in Rome and through the influence of Dionysius


Pancras lived during the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r.284-305). Emperor Diocletian mounted some of the fiercest persecutions of the early Church especially in the East of the Empire.


Converting to Christianity during this period was highly dangerous and at the age Pancras announced his Christian faith publically.


He was arrested and then beheaded. He was only 14 years old. He is the patron saint of teenagers.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MASS

 

WHY GO TO MASS ?

1. At the time of your death, your greatest comfort will be the Masses that during your life you attended with fervor and devotion.

2. Every Mass you attended will accompany you in divine court and advocate for you to attain forgiveness.

3. With each Mass you can lessen the temporary punishment you owe for your sins, in proportion to the fervor with which you hear it.

4. With devoted attendance for the Holy Mass, pay the highest homage to the Holy Humanity of Our Lord..

5. The well-heard Holy Mass replaces your many neglects and omissions.

6. By the well-heard Holy Mass you are forgiven all the venomous sins you are determined to avoid, and many others you don't even remember.

7. Because of her also the devil loses dominion over you.

8. You offer ultimate consolation to the blessed souls of Purgatory.

9. You get blessings in your business and temporary affairs.

10. A Mass heard while you live will benefit you much more than many can offer for you after death.

11. You spare yourself from many dangers and misfortunes which you might fall into if not for the Holy Mass.

12. Also remember that it shortens your Purgatory.

13. With every Mass you will increase your degrees of glory in Heaven. In it you receive the blessing of the priest, which God ratifies in heaven.

14. To the one who hears Mass every day, God will deliver him from a tragic death, and the guardian Angel will keep in mind the steps he takes to go to Mass, and God will reward them in his death.

15. During Mass you kneel in the midst of a crowd of angels invisibly attending the Holy Sacrifice with utmost reverence.

16. When we hear mass in honor of a particular Saint, giving thanks to God for the favors bestowed on that Saint, we cannot help but earn his protection and special love, for the honor, joy and happiness that our good work follows him.

17. Every day we hear Mass, it would be good if, besides the other intentions, we had the one to honor the Saint of the day.

18. The Mass is the greatest gift that can be offered to the Lord for souls, to take them out of purgatory, to set them free from their sorrows, and to bring them to enjoy glory. – Saint Bernard of the Seine.

19. Whoever hears Mass, prays, gives alms, or prays for the souls of the Purgatory, works for his own benefit. – Saint Augustine.

20. For every Mass celebrated or heard with devotion, many souls leave Purgatory, and those who remain there are lessened by the sorrows they suffer. – Saint Gregory the Great, Pope.

21. During the celebration of the Mass, the sorrows of the souls are suspended for those who pray and work the priest, and especially for those for whom the Mass is offered. –St. Gregory the Great.

22. You can also earn Plenary Indulgence every Monday of the year by offering the Holy Mass and Communion in suffrage of the blessed souls of Purgatory. For the believers who can't hear Mass on Monday it's worth listening to it on Sunday with that intention.

23. It is pleaded that they apply all the indulgences in suffering of the Souls of Purgatory, for God our Lord, and they will reward you this charity.

24. The Holy Mass is the renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary, the greatest act of worship to the Holy Trinity. That's why it's obligatory to listen to it every Sunday and holidays to save.

Fr-Emmanuel Anyanwu

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THIS HOUSE

 

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THIS HOUSE

O sweet and gentle Lady, Immaculate Mother of God, we choose Thee this day to be the Mistress and Lady of this house.

Guard it, dear Mother from pestilence, fire, lightning, and tempests; from schisms and heresies, from depredations of burglars and the malice of enemies.

Protect its inmates, sweet Mary; watch over their going out and their coming in, and preserve them from sudden death.

Keep us from all sin and harm, and pray for us to God, that we may live in His service and depart this life in His grace.

Amen.

Prayer by a Sick Person for Healing to Infant Jesus

Prayer by a Sick Person for Healing

to Infant Jesus

O most dear and sweet Infant Jesus, behold me, a poor suffering person who, sustained by a lively faith, invokes your divine aid to cure my infirmity. I put all my trust in you. I know that you can do all things and that you are most merciful, indeed you are yourself Infinite Mercy. O great little Infant, for the sake of your divine virtue and the immense love you bear for all the suffering, the oppressed and the needy, hear me, bless me, help me, console me.

Amen.

Glory Be (three times).

PRAYER OF TRUST IN THE DIVINE MERCY

PRAYER OF TRUST IN THE DIVINE MERCY

Most merciful Jesus, I turn to You in my need. You are worthy of my complete trust. You are faithful in all things. When my life is filled with confusion, give me clarity and faith. When I am tempted to despair, fill my soul with hope. Most merciful Jesus, I trust You in all things. I trust in Your perfect plan for my life. I trust You when I cannot comprehend Your divine Will. I trust You when all feels lost. Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.

Most merciful Jesus, You are all-knowing; nothing is beyond Your sight. You are all-loving; nothing in my life is beyond Your concern. You are all-powerful; nothing is beyond Your grace.

Most merciful Jesus, I trust in You, I trust in You, I trust in You. May I trust You always and in all things. May I daily surrender to Your Divine Mercy.

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us as we turn to you in our need. Amen.

✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠

IN PRAISE OF SAINT JOSEPH

 

“ HE IS HOLY JOSEPH, because according to the opinion of a great number of doctors, he, as well as St. John the Baptist, was sanctified even before he was born. He is Holy Joseph, because his office, of being Spouse and Protector of Mary, specially demanded sanctity. He is Holy Joseph, because no other Saint but he lived in such and so long intimacy and familiarity with the source of all holiness, JESUS CHRIST, God incarnate, and VIRGIN MARY, the holiest of creatures. ” 

—St. John Henry Newman

IN PRAISE OF SAINT JOSEPH 

“ JOSEPH, patron Saint of workers, blending skill with charity, silent carpenter, we praise you! Joining work with honesty, you taught Christ with joy to labor, sharing His nobility.

JOSEPH, close to JESUS and MARY, lived with Them in poverty, shared with Them their home and labor, worked with noble dignity. May we seek God’s will as you did, leader of His family!

JOSEPH, inspiration for workers, man of faith and charity, make us honest, humble, faithful, strong with Christ’s true liberty, Make our labor and our leisure fruitful to eternity!

O BLESSED SAINT JOSEPH, ever watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ, keep us free from the blight of error and corruption, and be our ally in the conflict with the powers of darkness. As of old you rescued the Holy Child Jesus from the plots of Herod, so now defend us and the whole world from all evils and harm. Keep us one and all under your continual protection, so that by your help and example, we may lead a holy life, die a happy death, and come to possess eternal life in heaven. AMEN. “

Credits : https://www.facebook.com/156281763705/posts/10160413428413706/

PRAYER OF PROTECTION: BREASTPLATE OF SAINT PATRICK

 

Have you ever read the Breastplate of St. Patrick (also known as St. Patrick's Hymn)? Such a beautiful prayer and especially fitting during these times! 

Here are some things you might not know about this famous prayer, often known as The Breastplate of St Patrick

☘️It is a prayer of protection, which is why it’s called the “breastplate”— a protective piece of armor for battle. 

☘️Madeleine L’Engle used it as the basis for her book, A Swiftly Tilting Planet (my favorite of the time quartet— any other fans of Madeleine L’Engle 

☘️The prayer is said to have been written in approximately 433AD by St Patrick himself! 

ST. PATRICK OF IRELAND (MARCH 17TH) 

On the 17th of March, we celebrate the life, miracles, and continued intercessions of St. Patrick, Apostle to Ireland, Enlightener of the Celtic People, and Patron Saint of the Irish! 

Though enslaved by the pagan Irish as a child in the 5th Century AD, St. Patrick escaped and later became a bishop and missionary to the Irish, and established a great Church in Ireland that stands into the present day. His life was characterized by forgiveness, bravery, faithfulness to the Gospel, and great miracles done through him by God’s grace. May we learn to be like St. Patrick in our continued calling to share an Orthodox Christian Gospel all around the world! 

First Version Of the Prayer

ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through a belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness

Of the Creator of creation.




I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,

Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,

Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,

Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.




I arise today

Through the strength of the love of cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In service of archangels,

In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In the prayers of patriarchs,

In preachings of the apostles,

In faiths of confessors,

In innocence of virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.



I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.



I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's hosts to save me

From snares of the devil,

From temptations of vices,

From every one who desires me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a mulitude.



I summon today all these powers between me and evil,

Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom,

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.



Christ shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that reward may come to me in abundance.



Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.



I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through a belief in the Threeness,

Through a confession of the Oneness

Of the Creator of creation



Almighty God, in Thy providence Thou chosest Thy servant, St. Patrick, to be the Apostle to the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of Thy Holy Gospel, and to enter into Thy Holy Orthodox Church: Grant us so to walk in the way, so as to imitate Thy blessed servant; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


St. Patrick, pray for us!




Second Version of the Prayer

The Breastplate of St. Patrick


I bind unto myself today

The strong Name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.




I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spicèd tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;*

I bind unto myself today.




I bind unto myself the power

Of the great love of the cherubim;

The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,

The service of the seraphim,

Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,

The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,

All good deeds done unto the Lord,

And purity of virgin souls.




I bind unto myself today

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even,

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

Around the old eternal rocks.




I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.




Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar my course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours,

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.




Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,

Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.




Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.




I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.




St. Patrick, pray for us!




Third Version of the prayer :

Breastplate of St. Patrick

I bind N. today to a strong virtue, an invocation of the Trinity.

I believe in a Threeness, with confession of a Oneness in the Creator of the Universe.




I bind N. today to the virtue of Christ’s birth with His baptism,

to the virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,

to the virtue of His resurrection with His ascension,

to the virtue of His coming to the Judgment of Doom.




I bind N. today to the virtue of ranks of Cherubim, in obedience of Angels,

[in service of Archangels],

in hope of resurrection for reward,

in prayers of Patriarchs, in preaching of Apostles,

in faiths of Confessors,

in innocence of Holy Virgins,

in deeds of righteous men.




I bind N. today to the virtue of Heaven,

in light of Sun,

in brightness of Snow,

in splendor of Fire,

in speed of Lightning,

in swiftness of Wind,

in depth of Sea,

in stability of Earth,

in compactness of Rock.




I bind N. today to God’s Virtue to pilot him/her,

God’s might to uphold him/her,

God’s wisdom to guide him/her,

God’s eye to look before him/her,

God’s ear to hear him/her,

God’s Word to speak to him/her,

God’s hand to guard him/her,

God’s way to lie before him/her,

God’s shield to protect him/her,

God’s host to secure him/her,

Against snares of demons,

Against seductions of vices,

Against lusts of nature,

Against everyone who wishes ill to him/her,

Afar and anear, Alone and in a multitude.

So have I invoked all these virtues between N.

Against every cruel, merciless power which may come

Against his/her body and his/her soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of heathenry,

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of women and smiths and druids,

Against every knowledge that defiles men’s souls.




Christ to protect N. today,

Against poison,

Against burning,

Against drowning,

Against death-wound, until a multitude of rewards come to N.!

Christ with him/her,

Christ before him/her,

Christ behind him/her,

Christ in him/her!

Christ below him/her,

Christ above him/her.

Christ at his/her right,

Christ at his/her left!

Christ in breadth,

Christ in length,

Christ in height!

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of him/her,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to him/her,

Christ in every eye that sees him/her,

Christ in every ear that hears him/her!




I bind N. today to a strong virtue, an invocation of the Trinity. I

believe in a Threeness with confession of a Oneness, in the Creator of

[the universe.]

Salvation is the Lord’s, salvation is the Lord’s, salvation is Christ’s.

May Thy salvation, O Lord, be always with us.

#stpatricksday #stpatrick #saintpatricksday #saintpatrick #stpattysday #prayer #orthodoxprayer #ancientfaith #irishsaint 

NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Following the Ascension of Our Lord, tradition says that the disciples gathered in the upper room together with Our Blessed Mother for the novena, nine days of prayer in anticipation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given to the disciples to empower them to “be my witnesses … even to the ends of the earth.” (Acts1:8)

Today, as disciples of Jesus, we too join together in prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our parish, our faith communities, our families, and in ourselves. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses of love of God for our world.

This novena to the Holy Spirit has been designed for either individual or communal prayer. The spiritual impact of serious prayer and reflection is immeasurable.

Invocation To The Holy Spirit 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them (in us) the fire of Your love. O

Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, and console me. Tell me what to do, direct my

every choice. I promise to submit myself to all You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know

Your will. Grant this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Day One

Needing the Spirit “Drawing Near” Ezekiel 36:26-28: I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from

your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my Spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful

to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers, you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Meditation: Our need is God’s opportunity. But we must acknowledge our need. Often this means helplessness before some weakness or

sickness and an admission of our need for help. Next comes faith in the power of God’s Spirit, available to us to meet that need. Our faith

must find some expression before any need will be met. That expression of faith is all God is looking for, and He will manifest His power in

our lives. Faith is the key that allows us to receive the storehouse of God’s resources.

Prayer for the Day: Lord, I know I can come before You with confidence that by Your grace you accept me. I ask You Lord to make

my life what You desire of it. Cleanse me, heal me, restore me and through Your divine power draw me near to You in everything.

Thank You for supplying me with all I need through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day Two

Needing the Spirit “Beloved of God” Romans: 8:2, 5, 14- 16: For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the

law of sin and death. Those who live according to the flesh are concerned with things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit

the things of the spirit. For those who are lead by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall

back into fear. But you received a spirit of adoption by which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we

are children of God.

Meditation: And greater works than these shall you do. Each individual has the ability to do good works through the power of God’s Spirit.

This is one of the wonders of the world, the miracle of the earth, that God’s power goes out to bless the human race through the agency of

so many people who are actuated by His grace. We need not be held back by doubt, despondency and fear. A wonderful future lies before

any person who depends on God’s power; a future of tremendous power to do good work.

Prayer for the Day: Lord, You said in Your Word that those who are led by the Spirit of God are Your own children. Lord, I turn

from setting my mind on the things of the flesh and I ask to be focused on things of the Spirit that I might please You. Holy

Spirit, come to the aid of my weakness and intercede for me in accordance with the mind of God. Oh, how I long to call You

“Abba!” Help me be open to the Spirit that I can truly testify that I am Your beloved child. Amen.

Day Three 

Needing the Spirit “Peace” Galatians 5:22-25: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with

its passions & desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Meditation: This is the time for my spirit to touch the Spirit of God. I know that the feeling of the Spirit-touch is more important than all the

sensations of material things. I must seek a silence in which my spirit can receive and become aware of the touch of the Spirit of God. Just a

moment’s contact and all the fever of life leaves me. Then I am well, whole, calm, and able to rise and minister to others. God’s touch is

a potent healer. I must feel that touch and sense God’s presence.

Prayer of the Day: Blessed Jesus, please give to me stillness of soul and let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me Lord of gentleness, Lord of peace. Give me great power of self-control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of

meekness, want of kindness; deliver me, dear Lord. Amen.

Day Four

Desiring the Spirit “Belief” Luke 11:9- 13: And I tell you, ask and you will receive: seek and you will find; knock and the door will

be opened to you. For anyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then

who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask

him.

Meditation: God is all around us. His Spirit pervades the universe, and yet we do not let His Spirit in. We try to get along without His help

and we make a mess of our lives. We can do nothing of any value without God’s help. Our human relationships depend on God. When we

let God’s Spirit rule our lives, we learn how to get along with others and how to help them. Prayer for the Day: Lord, I believe that Jesus

Christ is Your Son, and that we are saved through His grace. Grant that the Holy Spirit may strengthen my belief that I may glorify Him

in all my works. Amen.

Day Five

Desiring the Spirit “Thirst” John 7: 37- 39: On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone

who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him.” He said this

in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was of course no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not

yet been glorified.

Meditation: You need to be constantly recharged by the power of the Spirit of God. Commune with God in quiet times until the life from God,

the Divine life, by that very contact flows into your being and revives your fainting spirit. When weary, take time out and rest. Rest and gain

power and strength from God and then you will be ready to meet whatever opportunities come your way. Rest, allowing every care and

worry and fear to be enveloped by grace. Then the tide of peace and serenity, love and joy will flow into your consciousness even in the

midst of suffering. (2 Cor. 1:3-7) 

Prayer of the Day: Lord, allow my thirst to be satisfied. May your Spirit direct my heart to be awakened.

Allow me to seek You in all things and bring forth Your kingdom on earth. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day Six 

Desiring the Spirit “Trust” Luke 1: 35-38:

The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence the Holy Offspring to be born will be called

Son of God. Know that Elizabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age, she who was thought to be sterile is now in her sixth

month for nothing is impossible with God. Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”

Meditation : Once I am “born of the Spirit.” the Spirit is my life’s breath. Within me is the Life of life. It is the same Life that throughout the

ages has helped God’s children through peril, adversity, and sorrow. I must try never to doubt or worry but follow where the Life of the Spirit

leads. How often am I unaware of how God goes before me to prepare the way, to soften the heart, or to overrule resentment? As the

life of the Spirit grows, natural desires are placed within a new horizon – to be governed by the will of God. 

Prayer for the Day: Lord, let

me open my heart to fully trust in You and Your will. With You all things are possible. Grant that I may serve you and witness to Your word

with a willing spirit and a humble heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day Seven

Receiving the Spirit “Repentance” Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for

the forgiveness of your sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Meditation: Seek conscious contact with God more and more each day. Become aware of God’s abiding Presence during the day. Be

conscious of His Spirit helping you. All that is done without God’s Spirit is passing. All that is done with God’s Spirit is life eternal. It is the

flow of life eternal through the mind, body and spirit that cleanses hearts, restores and renews. Come to know God’s eternal life in you

and renewing you. 

Prayer of the Day: Lord, you said in Your word that I am to repent; turn from sin and turn to You. Then I will receive the

gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord, cleanse me from all ungodliness and unrighteousness so that I may walk in the newness of life according to the

Spirit of holiness. T hank You for your forgiveness and for hearing this p rayer, for I pray in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Day Eight

Receiving the Spirit “Submission” Hebrews 12:9: If we respected our earthly fathers who corrected us, should we not all the

more submit to the Father of spirits and live? Romans 5:3- 5: More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces

endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has

been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Meditation: I believe that complete surrender of my life to God is the foundation to serenity. God has prepared for us many mansions. I do

not look upon that promise as referring only to the after-life. I do not look upon this life as something to be struggled through in order to get

the rewards of the next life. I believe that the kingdom of God has begun within us and we can enjoy eternal life here and now. 

Prayer for

the Day

 I come before You on my knees Lord, for I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth

that Jesus is Lord of my life. Lord, you promised that as many as receive Y ou, you give them the power to become children of God, who are

born of God. In submission to You, I receive You as Lord, and I pray to be filled continually with Your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ

the Lord. Amen.

Day Nine

Receiving the Spirit “Liberating the Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are

different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. To each

person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one the Spirit gives wisdom in discourse, to another the power to express knowledge. Through the Spirit one receives faith; by the same Spirit another is given the gift of healing, and still another

miraculous powers; prophesy is given to one; to another the power to distinguish one spirit from another; another receives the gift of

tongues; another the interpreting of tongues. But it is one in the same Spirit who produces these gifts, distributing them to each as he wills.

Meditation: Gently breathe in God’s Spirit, that Spirit which if not barred out by selfishness will enable you to do good works. This means

rather, that God will be able to do good works through you. You can become a channel for God’s Spirit to flow through you and into the

lives of others. The works that you do will only be limited by your spiritual development. 

Let your spirit be in harmony with God’s Spirit and

there is no limit to what you can do in the realm of human relationships.

 Prayer for the Day: Accomplish Your work in me O God, that

the many gifts You have given me through the Holy Spirit may lift up the people around me and bring glory to you. Let Your Spirit be free

in me to fully serve You with all my heart and unite me to work with others in unselfish love. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Cardinal Mercier O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I

should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.

Let me only know Your Will.

St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me

O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me then O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Come, Holy Ghost (Veni Creator Spiritus)

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest;

come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid, to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heav'nly gift of God most high,

Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.

O Finger of the hand divine, the sevenfold gifts of grace are thine;

True promise of the Father thou, who dost the tongue with power endow.

Thy light to every sense impart, and shed thy love in every heart;

Thine own unfailing might supply to strengthen our infirmity.

Drive far away our ghostly foe, and thine abiding peace bestow;

If thou be our preventing Guide, no evil can our steps betide.

Praise we the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit with them One; and may the Son on us bestow the gifts that from the Spirit flow.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

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 loving

reverence toward You; the Spirit of piety that we might 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 Y our 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.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit Prayers

This novena commemorates the nine days between the Ascension of Our Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost Sunday. During this time Our Lady and the twelve Apostles prayed in the upper room for the coming of the Paraclete.

O Holy Spirit, 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 conformable 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 Spirit, 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.