THE HOLY GHOST

Newman on the Holy Spirit

Christ really is with us now, whatever be the mode of it. This He says expressly Himself; “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” He even says, “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.” And in a passage already quoted more than once, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Christ’s presence, then, is promised to us still, though He is on the right hand of the Father. You will say, “Yes; He is present as God.” Nay, I answer; more than this, He is the Christ, and the Christ is promised, and Christ is man as well as God. This surely is plain even from the words of the text. He said He was going away. Did He go away as God or as man? “A little while, and ye shall not see Me;” this was on His death. He went away as man, He died as man; if, then, He promises to come again, surely He must mean that He would return as man, in the only sense, that is, in which He could return. As God He is ever present, never was otherwise than present, never went away; when His body died on the Cross and was buried, when His soul departed to the place of spirits, still He was with His disciples in His Divine ubiquity. The separation of soul and body could not touch His impassible everlasting Godhead. When then He says He should go away, and come again and abide for ever, He is speaking, not merely of His omnipresent Divine nature, but of His human nature. As being Christ, He says that He, the Incarnate Mediator, shall be with His Church for ever. But again: you may be led to explain His declaration thus; “He has come again, but in His Spirit; that is, His Spirit has come instead of Him; and when it is said that He is with us, this only means that His Spirit is with us.” No one, doubtless, can deny this most gracious and consolatory truth, that the Holy Ghost is come; but why has He come? to supply Christ’s absence, or to accomplish His presence? Surely to make Him present. Let us not for a moment suppose that God the Holy Ghost comes in such sense that God the Son remains away. No; He has not so come that Christ does not come, but rather He comes that Christ may come in His coming. Through the Holy Ghost we have communion with Father and Son.

John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890): Parochial and Plain Sermons, vol. 6,Sermon 10. The Spiritual Presence of Christ in the Church.

CHAPLET OF THE HOLY GHOST [CAPUCHIN 1892]

c.1892 by Fathers John Mary Finnegan and Marianus Fiege, Franciscan Capuchin missionaries of the English Province, in order to give the faithful an easy means of honouring the Holy Ghost. Approved and Indulgenced on 24 March 1902 by Pope Leo XII. It is intended to stand in relation to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity in the same way as does the Dominican Rosary in relation to the Blessed Virgin.

Commence on the first bead make the Sign of the Cross and say: In Nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

On the second bead make an Act of Contrition,for example: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen

On the third bead say either of these prayers to the Holy Ghost:

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator come from thy bright heavenly throne, Come, take possession of our souls and make them all Thy own. Thou who art called the Paraclete, best gift of God above, The living spring, the living fire, sweet unction and true love. Thou who art sev’nfold in Thy grace, Finger of God’s right hand; His promise, teaching little ones to speak and understand. O guide our minds with Thy blest light, with love our hearts inflame; And with Thy strength which ne’er decays, confirm our mortal frame. Far from us drive our deadly foe; true peace unto us bring; And through all perils lead us safe beneath Thy sacred wing. Through Thee may we the father know, through Thee th’eternal Son, And Thee, the Spirit of them both, Thrice blessed Three-in-One. All glory to the Father be, with His co-equal Son; The same to Thee, great Paraclete, whilst endless ages run.

Or:

Come, Holy Ghost, fill my heart with Thy holy gifts, let my weakness be penetrated with thy strength this very  day,  that I may fulfil all the duties of my state conscientiously; that I might do what is right and just. Let my charity be such as to offend no one, and hurt no-one’s feelings; so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me. Assist me, O Holy Ghost, in all my trials of life; enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen me in my weakness, help me in all my needs, protect me in temptations and console me in afflictions. Graciously hear me, O Holy Ghost and pour thy light into my heart, my soul and my mind. Assist me to live a holy life and grow in goodness and grace. Amen.

On each group of nine beads: (bead 1) Pater Noster… (bead 2) Ave Maria… (beads 3-9) Gloria Patri…

During the praying of each decade of seven beads one meditates on the five Mysteries below and in this way commemorates the FIVE WOUNDS of Christ which are the fountains of grace which the Holy Ghost imparts to all the faithful.

THE FIRST MYSTERY: By the Holy Ghost is Jesus conceived of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Meditation: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore also the holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God”  (Lk 1:35)

The Practice: Diligently implore the aid of the Divine Spirit and Mary’s intercession , to imitate the virtues of Jesus Christ, who is the model of virtues. So that you may be made conformable to the image of the Son of God.

THE SECOND MYSTERY: The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus when He was baptised

The Meditation: “Jesus, being baptised ,forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were open to Him, and He saw the Spirit of  God descending as a dove and coming upon Him” (Mt3:16)

The Practice: Hold in the highest esteem the priceless gift of sanctifying grace, infused into your soul by the Holy Ghost in baptism. Keep the promises to which you then pledged yourself. Increase by constant practice, Faith, Hope and Charity. Ever live as becometh children of God and members of His true Church, so as to obtain, hereafter, the inheritance of heaven.

THE THIRD MYSTERY: By the Spirit is Jesus led into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

The Meditation: ” Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil.” (Lk4:1-2)

The Practice: Be ever grateful for the sevenfold gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon you in Confirmation; for the spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, and of the fear of the Lord. Faithfully yield to His Divine guidance, so that, in all the trials and temptations of life, you may act bravely (manfully), as becometh a perfect Christian and valiant soldier of Jesus Christ.

THE FOURTH MYSTERY: The Holy Ghost in the Church

The Meditation: “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting … and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak … the wonderful works of God. ” (Acts: 2:2 -4:11)

The Practice: Thank God for having made you a child of His Church which is ever animated and directed by the Divine Spirit, sent into this world for that purpose on the Day of Pentecost. Hear, and obey the Holy See, the infallible mouthpiece of the Holy Ghost, and the Church, the pillar and ground of truth. Uphold her doctrines, seek her interests, defend her rights.

THE FIFTH MYSTERY: The Holy Ghost in the soul of the just man and the just woman

The Meditation: “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in  you …?” (I Cor 6:19) ”Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thess 5:19) ”And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)

The Practice: Be ever mindful of the Holy Ghost Who is within you, and carefully cultivate purity of soul and body. Faithfully obey His Divine inspirations so that you may bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit :- Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Dignity, Goodness, Long-suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continence, Chastity.

On the penultimate large bead is said: The Apostle’s Creed

On the final large bead are said in turn: Pater Noster … Ave Maria... for the Intention of the Holy Father.

History of the Chaplet of the Holy Ghost

The Chaplet was composed probably in 1892 by two Franciscan Capuchin Friars, John Mary Finnigan and  Marianus Fiege. Their purpose was to foster a love and trust in the Holy Spirit, and to provide a devotion that might serve to  honour Him in the same way as Our Lady is honoured by the recitation of the Dominican Rosary. Ten years later, on 24 March 1902, Pope Leo XIII approved the chaplet and enriched it with Indulgences.

John Mary was born to John and Sarah Finnigan in Kings Lynn, England on 9th January 1857 and baptised Edward. His parents died whilst he was still very young. After the completion of schooling he was apprenticed to a photographer and learnt the rudiments of painting. In later life this was to serve him as a hobby. He became a Capuchin of the English Province, receiving the habit on 18 May 1876, aged 19 years. His Simple Profession took place on 20^th May 1877 and his Solemn Profession on 23^rd May 1880. He was twenty three years of age; the minimum canonical age for Ordination when he was received into the Priesthood on 29^th Sept 1880, at Pontypool, in South Wales. Though the first years of his priestly life were actually to be spent in North Wales, a strongly conservative Nonconformist region, an area considered to be a hard training ground for a young catholic priest. John Mary, as he was now known, was seen to be filled with a zeal for souls and a desire to advance along the path of spiritual perfection. The saying of St Theresa of Avila: ‘a saintly man does more good for souls than a number of others who are learned and better qualified or gifted’. John was indeed gifted but would not have described himself as an intellectual. Following completion of his studies he was sent to the Friary at nearby Chester, just over the border in England. There he left his mark as a pastor who sought to reveal Christ and his love for all men.

Moving to Peckham in London, Fr John threw himself into the work of temperance and led a movement on its behalf in Peckham. Cardinal Manning of Westminster (1802-1892) was the spearhead of a crusade to save the many Irish Catholics who were renowned as heavy drinkers and Fr John’s support was significant. He was to found the Saint Francis Aid Society whilst at Peckham, the object of which was to carry out in practice the ideals set before the tertiaries, or lay people of the Third Order of St Francis, in the relationship of the Christian with the men and women around him. Much good was accomplished and it is regrettable that it was ever allowed to decay.

Around 1890 Fr John was moved to Olton near Birmingham, there to devote himself to the arduous work of giving missions and retreats. After years connected with Erith, he was to remain with Olton for the rest of his life. It was at Olton that he was to bring to fruition the great work that is remembered as his – the spread of devotion to the Holy Spirit and the founding of the Pious Union. On 9 May 1898 Leo XIII issued an Encyclical Letter concerning the Holy Ghost. At this time, awareness of the Third Person of the Trinity and His relative neglect in terms of devotion compared with both the Father and the Son, resulted in a greater awareness of the importance of the Holy Ghost. This formed the backdrop to the two great contributions that Fr John Mary was to make.

The Chaplet

When, in 1889, the Capuchin Friars of the English Province first came to Olton, near Birmingham they were seeking a suitable place for a House of Studies. Saint Bernard’s Seminary, whose students had recently moved to Oscott College, was available for purchase and accordingly the Capuchins purchased the property thereby incurring considerable debt; this was the situation which proved to be a major catalyst in the life of Fr John Mary. The Friars set about providing a venue for the celebration of Mass for the small number of Catholics then resident in the area. Their vision was to be able to build a fine church to serve the catholic population and so funds had to be raised. Fr John was sent out from Olton Friary with one Fr Rudolph in order to travel to America to preach and to beg for help in reducing the debt at Olton. Interestingly it seems that they had not been able to afford a passage on a ship so worked their way over as stokers! Upon their return in 1894, after giving missions and retreats in the United States, they had raised over £900 towards the debt. John Mary had come under the influence of Cardinal Manning’s book on the Holy Ghost: ‘The Forgotten Paraclete’, and found that it accorded well with his own spiritual outlook. He came to realise that the work of the Holy Ghost, Who formed the Incarnate Jesus in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, is the same work that He uses to form Jesus in the souls of men and women, whose redemption was wrought through the shedding of the Most Precious Blood. Men and women must become spiritualy-minded if they are to live the life of Christ, and so it became his aim to challenge them to come to know and appreciate the Holy Spirit; to pray to Him, to love Him and to work for Him.

According to the records of the parish of Olton it was in 1891 that Fr John Mary founded the Pius Union of the Holy Ghost and in the following year or thereabouts that he composed the Chaplet of the Holy Ghost. He gave the text to a brother friar so that he in turn might translate it into Latin; the aim being to present it to Rome for Papal approval.

The Pious Union

The idea of the Pious Union grew alongside that of the Chaplet. Fr John Mary wished to associate all who took up the devotion into a League of Prayer and united effort to spread devotion to the Holy Ghost. He was to meet with opposition but finally saw Rome’s approval when the Pious Union was erected into a Confraternity with its centre at the Friary at Olton. Intriguingly the Pius Union appears to have been first approved by Bishop Chatard of Indianapolis on 18 March 1898 when Fr John Mary was again preaching and fund raising in the United States, this time with with Bro Marianus Fiege OSFC. The name of this brother is inextricably bound up with both the Chaplet and the Pious Union. One tradition sees Bro Marianus as the author of the prayers of the chaplet but the origin of this claim is unclear. There exists a record of the application made to Rome for an Indulgence to be attached to the prayers of the Chaplet (18 Sept 1893) which accords well with an 1892 date of composition. A reply was sent refusing the request, which, however, made no reference to Bro Marianus but instead requested that the information be conveyed to Fr John Mary.

Fr John Mary spent the rest of his life at the Olton Friary, living to see the debt on the church paid in full and the Church of The Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate consecrated on 12 November 1929. He went on to celebrate his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee on 29 September 1930 and died at the Friary on 15 December 1930 aged 74 years. The link with the Capuchins was severed in 1981 when the Friars left Olton. Today (2007) the parish at Olton is staffed by the Sacred Heart Fathers and the Betharram Fathers. These are also, interestingly, custodians of the Shrine of Our Lady of Betharram near Lourdes and predating that major shrine. The Chaplet is currently being reintroduced and encouraged by the Spiritans (Congregation of the Holy Spirit – Holy Ghost Fathers & Brothers) in commemoration of their 300 year history. Details may be found at: www.thespiritans.org

Sources: Bro Thomas Moore, (The Friary, Oxford) Capuchin Register Volume 1, n.68, n,72. Volume 2 n,6, n,8 . Capuchin Necrology 1950 p100, p101, Memoires of Early Capuchins . Jane Farell (Parish Administrator: Olton) The History of Olton Friary by Sister Elizabeth of the Secular Franciscan Order. Indulgences: a plenary Indulgence once a month on the usual conditions for the daily devout repetition of this chaplet (Apostolic Brief, March 24 1902; S.P.Ap., March 18 1932)

HOLY SPIRIT CHAPLET

Commence on the Cruxifix saying the Apostle’s Creed

On the first bead of the pendant say: Holy Mother, ask the Eternal Father in Jesus’ name to send the Holy Spirit to me. Beseech your beloved Spouse to come to me and to abide with me always and forever.

On the second bead of the pendant say: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful And kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, O Lord, and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of Your faithful; grant, that in the same Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen

THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

On each bead of the first group of Seven Beads say in turn the following Gifts of The Holy Spirit

(1)   For the holy gift of Knowledge we pray to the Lord: (say one Pater, Ave Gloria) (2)   For the holy gift of Understanding we pray to the Lord:(etc) (3)   For the holy gift of Wisdom we pray to the Lord:(etc) (4)   For the holy gift of Counsel we pray to the Lord: (etc) (5)   For the holy gift of Fortitude we pray to the Lord: (etc) (6)   For the holy gift of Piety we pray to the Lord: (etc)  (7)   For the holy gift of a Holy Fear of the Lord we pray to the Lord: (etc)

1 – 3 THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

On each bead of the second group of Eleven Beads recall in turn, each of the Virtues of the Holy Spirit:

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of PRIDE with the Light of FAITH. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of LUST with the Light of Hope. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of AVARICE with the Light of CHARITY. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

4 -7 THE CARDINAL VIRTUES

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of ANGER with the Light of PRUDENCE. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of SLOTH with the Light of FORTITUDE. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of ENVY with the Light of JUSTICE. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of GLUTTONY with the Light of TEMPERANCE. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

8-11 ADDITIONAL VIRTUES

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of IDOLATRY with the Light of SILENCE. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of EGOISM with the Light of HUMILITY. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of IMPURITY with the Light of PURITY. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Holy Spirit, come dispel the darkness of HATRED with the Light of MERCY. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

On each of the third group of Six Beads recall the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (on the first five beads) and on the Sixth Bead add one of the Daily recollections as given below:

V. Come Spirit of TRUE FAITH, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Spirit of DIVINE LOVE, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Spirit of TRUE MERCY, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Spirit of PRAYER, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

V. Come Spirit of FASTING, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come Holy Spirit; come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

on the Sixth Bead add one petition each day as follows:

SUNDAY: V. Come, Spirit of RECONCILIATION, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

MONDAY: V. Come, Spirit of KINDNESS, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse. V. Come, Spirit of GOODNESS, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

TUESDAY: V. Come, Spirit of MILDNESS, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse. V. Come, Spirit of CONTINENCE, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

WEDNESDAY: V. Come, Spirit of MODESTY, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse. V. Come, Spirit of CHASTITY, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

THURSDAY: V. Come, Spirit of POVERTY, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse. V. Come, Spirit of OBEDIENCE, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

FRIDAY: V. Come, Spirit of FIDELITY, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse. V. Come, Spirit of LONGANIMITY,* and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

* this word appearing in the devotional text means:  ‘a disposition to bear injuries patiently’.

SATURDAY: V. Come, Spirit of PATIENCE, and fill the hearts of Your faithful. R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse. V. Come, Spirit of JOY, and fill the hearts of Your faithful.

R. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

On the centrepiece say: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful; fill them with enduring love; Bring to perfection in me the image and likeness of Christ; remind me of all that Jesus said and did; Instruct me in everything; Bring me unto all truth. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life; you are the Word of Eternal Life; make me holy in the truth. Come, O Spirit of Love; O Fire of Love, Purify my heart, mind and soul; Sanctify all I think, say and do; And bestow on me, in plentitude, Thy Holy Gifts. May I always and only give thanks and praise and glory to You, my Lord and my God.Amen

Texts also found at: www.2heartsnetwork.org

St. Philip Neri

St. Philip Neri was accustomed to ask daily for the Holy Spirit. On the Feast of Pentecost, 1544, when he again begged most fervently for the graces and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, he became so inflamed with Divine love that he was unable to stand. He sank powerless to the ground and bared his breast, seeking thus to cool his burning heart. Filled with unspeakable joy, he at length arose, but his whole body trembled, so greatly did his heart rejoice in the Lord. Frequently, his love and joy became so overwhelming that he called out in a stifled voice: ‘Enough, O Lord! Enough! Human frailty is unable to bear such excessive happiness!’

A CHAPLET OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Commence on the Crucifix saying the Apostle’s Creed & the Gloria Patri…

On the first single bead pray to God the Father saying: Pater Noster…

On each of the seven beads in each group say in turn:

I pray for the grace of Wisdom – Ave Maria…

I pray for the grace of Understanding – Ave Maria…

I pray for the grace of Knowledge – Ave Maria…

I pray for the grace of Counsel – Ave Maria…

I pray for the grace of Piety – Ave Maria…

I pray for the grace of Fortitude – Ave Maria…

I pray for the grace of The Fear of the Lord – Ave Maria…

On the second single bead pray to God the Son saying: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God; have mercy on me, a sinner.

On the third single bead pray to God the Holy Spirit saying: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful; and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love.

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

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

Conclude on the Crucifix saying the (first part of the) prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Holy Trinity *:

O my God, Trinity whom I adore, let me entirely forget myself so that I may abide in Thee, still and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. Let nothing disturb my peace nor separate me from Thee, O my Unchanging God, but that each moment may take me further into the depths of Thy Mystery! Pacify my soul! Make it Thy heaven; Thy beloved home and place of Thy repose; Let me never leave Thee there alone, but may I be ever attentive, ever alert to my faith, ever adoring and all given up to Thy creative action.

* Carmelite at Dijon (1880-1906) beatified 25 November 1984

texts found at: www.marysprayersrosaries.com

A CHAPLET TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

(said on the rosary)

Commence on the Crucifix saying:

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. R. And Thou shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that in the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

St. Joseph, Patron, guardian of Jesus and protector of the Holy Family, we invoke you to pray for all families to be renewed and united in the love of Jesus and to bring healing and wholeness to all families. May you assist us to imitate the example of your Holy Family so that we may share with them their eternal happiness, who now lives and rules with God the Father. Amen.

On each Pater Noster bead say: O Divine Infant Jesus, Who will reign over the whole world; have mercy upon us.

On each of the ten beads of each decade say: Our Lady of Divine Love, Pray for us!

Conclude on the three bead group on the pendant saying: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you; save souls. (X3)

text found at: www.familyland.org

LITTLE CHAPLET OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(said on the rosary)

Commence on the Crucifix making the Sign of the Cross and saying the Apostle’s Creed, Gloria Patri & Pater Noster…

Continuing at the single bead below the centrepiece and on this and each of the other ‘Pater Noster’ beads say: Father, send us the promised Paraclete, through Jesus Christ our Lord. *

On each of the ten beads of each decade say: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of thy love.

After each decade, upon the chain, say: Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created: and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of Thy faithful by the Light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit to be truly wise and evermore to rejoice in His consolation,through Christ our Lord. Amen

* Paraclete: Greek meaning ‘Advocate’ or ‘Comforter’ (see Jhn 4:16) The Holy Spirit is to ‘strengthen and guide the Church into all truth’

text found at: www.catholic-church.org

‘On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ’s Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested , given and communicated as a divine Person: of His fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance (Acts 2:33-36) On that day the Holy Trinity is fully revealed. Since that day, the Kingdom announced by Christ has been open to those who believe in Him: in the humility of the flesh and in faith, they already share in the communion of the Holy Trinity. By His coming, which never ceases, the Holy Spirit causes the world to enter into the ‘Last Days’, the time of the Church, the Kingdom already inherited though not yet consummated.’ Catechism of the Catholic Church (731-732)