St. Simon Stock, ora pro nobis |
May 16, 2024
Feast of St. Simon Stock
Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague for the Nine Days Preceding the 25th of Each Month (16th–24th)
2. Eternal Father, I offer to Your honor and glory, for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and St. Joseph on that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrows of their hearts at not finding a place wherein to shelter themselves when the Saviour of the world was about to be born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
3. Eternal Father, I offer to Your honor and glory, for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the manger where He was born, the cold He suffered, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed, and His tender infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
4. Eternal Father, I offer to Your honor and glory, for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body when He submitted to the rite of circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then for the first time He shed for the salvation of all mankind. Glory be to the Father, etc.
5. Eternal Father, I offer to Your honor and glory, for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity and all the virtues of the Child Jesus; and I thank Thee, and I love Thee, and I bless Thee without end for this ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God. Glory be to the Father, etc.
V. The Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Let us Pray
O God, whose only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, whom we acknowledge to have been outwardly like us, we may deserve to be renewed in our inward selves. Who lives and reigns with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
Source: Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague, TAN Books, 1990
May 15, 2024
Feast of San Liberatore
San Liberatore, ora pro nobis |
New Music — Scarlatti: Prima d’esservi infedele / Cantatas for Solo Voice with Violins
• Scarlatti: Prima d’esservi infedele - Cantatas for Solo Voice with Violins performed by Valeria la Grotta and Quartetto Vanvitelli
Label: Arcana Records
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Audio CD: $20.99
Number of Discs: 1
Available at Amazon.com
Read description
May 14, 2024
John Rao's Latest Lecture is now Available For Free on Soundcloud
Feast of the Beato Simeon Maria Cardon
Beato Simeon Maria Cardon, ora pro nobis |
The Blessed Martyrs are Father Simeon Cardon of Cambrai, died on May 14th; Father Domenico Maria Zawrel, killed on May 13th; Brother Maturino Maria Pitri, killed on May 13th; Brother Albertino Maria Maisonade, killed on May 13th; Brother Modesto Maria Burgen, killed on May 13th; and Lay Brother Zosimo Maria Brambat, died from his wounds on May 16th.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to Blessed Simeon Maria Cardon. Evviva Beato Simeon Maria Cardon!
Prayer to Blessed Simeon Maria Cardon
All powerful, ever living God, You gave Blessed Simeon Maria Cardon the courage to witness to the Gospel of Christ, even to the point of giving his life for it. By his prayers help us to endure all suffering for love of You and to seek You with all our hearts, for You alone are the source of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Feast of San Bonosio
San Bonosio Vescovo, ora pro nobis |
Prayer to St. Bonosius
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of St. Bonosius, first Bishop of Salerno, may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Look upon our Weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of St. Bonosius protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
May 13, 2024
Feast of the Madonna di Fátima
Madonna di Fátima, ora pro nobis |
In celebration, I’m posting the Litany to Our Lady of Fátima. The accompanying photo was taken at the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Ave Maria!
Our Lady of Fátima, pray for our dear country.
Our Lady of Fátima, sanctify our clergy.
Our Lady of Fátima, make our Catholics more fervent.
Our Lady of Fátima, guide and inspire those who govern us.
Our Lady of Fátima, cure the sick who confide in thee.
Our Lady of Fátima, console the sorrowful who trust in thee.
Our Lady of Fátima, help those who invoke your aid.
Our Lady of Fátima, deliver us from all dangers.
Our Lady of Fátima, help us to resist temptation.
Our Lady of Fátima, obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of thee.
Our Lady of Fátima, help those who are dear to us.
Our Lady of Fátima, bring back to the right road our erring brothers.
Our Lady of Fátima, give us back our ancient fervor.
Our Lady of Fátima, obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses.
Our Lady of Fátima, bring all men to the feet of thy Divine Child.
Our Lady of Fátima, obtain peace for the world.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Let Us Pray:
O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in Thy dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima, and grant us by her powerful intercession all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May 12, 2024
A Poem For Mother's Day
Photo courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago |
November 2
When my mother died, I was too stunned
to grieve; at the foot of the bed,
I stared, unseeing, at the drab clad body;
blinding, blunting all living memories.
No, I did not cry, no wail, not a tear,
I imagined her asleep, a halo
of a mother about that worn grey face;
waiting for me to come home, she dozed.
A year now that she is deep in her grave,
in my dreams she appears, her love unslaked,
vanishing, she strands me in a desert.
Suddenly my heart overflows, cascades
with tears, laving these dear remembered walls,
I choke up, tears, tears, are drowning my poem.
màmmema bella e, comm’ a nu stunato,
sulo, a tenerla mente io rummanette,
appede de lu lietto addenucchiato;
tanno, io nun saccio pecché, nun chiagnette,
guardannola accussì, zitto, ncantato,
comm’ a na vota ch’ essa s’ addurmette,
mentr’ io vicino lle steva assettato…
Mo ca fa n’ anno ca ii’ aggio perduta,
mo, mo ca nzuonno me sta cumparenno,
mo la necessità nn’ aggio sentuta…
E mo mme vene a chiàgnere, e chiagnenno
sceto sti mmura ca ll’ hanno saputa,
nfonno sti ccarte addó stongo screvenno…
(*) Reprinted from The Naples of Salvatore Di Giacomo: Poems and a Play, translated by Frank J. Palescandolo, Forum Italicum, Inc., 2000, page 65
Feast of San Liberato Martire
San Liberato, ora pro nobis |
Feast of San Filippo d’Agira
San Filippo d'Agira, ora pro nobis |
May 12th is the feast of San Filippo d’Agira, Priest, Exorcist and “Apostle of the Sicilians.” Widely venerated in Sicily, he is the principal patron of Agira (EN), Piazza Armerina (EN), Aci San Filippo (CT), Calatabiano (CT), Limina (ME), Mongiuffi Melia (ME), Rodi Milici (ME), Santo Stefano Medio (ME), Monforte San Giorgio (ME), San Filippo Del Mela (ME), and Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG). He is also the patron saint of Laurito in Salerno, San Filippo di Pellaro in Reggio Calabria, Favelloni Piemonte in Vibo Valentia, and the United States Army Special Forces. In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to San Filippo d’Agira in Italian. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at St. Rocco’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. Evviva San Filippo d’Agira!
Prayer to San Filippo d’Agira
O S. Filippo d’Agira, gemma dei sacerdoti, tu che fosti decorato da Dio con la gloria dei miracoli, tu salute degli energumeni, molto potente contro i demoni, grande terrore dell’inferno, tu, che discendendo nel sepolcro da te preparato ancor vivente, dicesti: È quivi il mio riposo per tutti i secoli, dal Cielo dove adesso abiti, guardaci benigno, tu ci difendi, ci proteggi da tutti i nostri nemici spirituali e temporali, affinché contro tanti nemici ci sia dato combattere e vincere sempre sino alla morte. Amen.
May 11, 2024
The Founding of Constantinople
The Founding of Constantinople by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) |
We commemorate a day holy in the annals of history indeed. For it was on the 11th May AD 330, the Feast of Saint Mocius, that the Emperor Constantine the Great consecrated the imperial city of Constantinople, Byzantium of old and bastion of Christendom new, as the Second Rome.
Almost six centuries after the banner of the Romans was furled over the Golden Horn, her spirit remains unbroken.
Domenica 12 maggio 2024: S. Messa cantata nel Santuario di San Gaetano
ore 11.30 S. Rosario e S. Messa
Santuario di San Gaetano
Piazza San Gaetano, 78 – Napoli
Feast of San Francesco de Geronimo
San Francesco de Geronimo, ora pro nobis |
May 11th is the feast of St. Francis Jerome (Grottaglie, December 17, 1642 — Napoli, May 11, 1716), Jesuit priest, preacher throughout Southern Italy, and Apostle of Naples. When St. Francis Jerome requested to leave on a mission to the Americas or the East Indies, he was told by his superiors: “Your Indies will be Naples.” He spent nearly 40 years helping the sick and poor in the city, performing many miracles. After his beatification by Pope Pius VII on May 2, 1806, he was chosen by King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon as one of the 52 co-patrons of Naples. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI on May 26, 1839.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Francis de Geronimo. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva San Francesco de Geronimo!
Prayer to St. Francis Jerome
O Saint Francis Jerome, who dedicated all your energies to the poor, the disinherited and the sick, intercede so that I too, together with you, can glorify and serve God our Lord. Turn your gaze towards us, Church of Christ, and obtain for us those necessary graces so that, animated in heart and mind by faith and hope, we can continue your mission of Mercy with word and deed. Lastly, I beg you to obtain for me the special grace I ask of you... (Mention your request here). Amen.
May 10, 2024
Feast of San Cataldo
San Cataldo, ora pro nobis |
Widely venerated across Southern Italy, San Cataldo is the principal patron of Taranto (TA), Corato (BA), Cagnano Varano (FG), Brienza (PZ), Massa Lubrense (NA), Roccaromana (CE), Cirò Marina (KR), San Cataldo (CL), Gangi (PA), Gagliano Castelferrato (EN), and Giuliano Teatino (CH), among others.
Invoked against epilepsy, paralysis and visual impairments, he is also called upon for protection against plagues, droughts and terrible storms. The memorial of his death is commemorated on March 8th and his patronal feast day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September in Taranto.
In celebration, I'm posting a Traditional Prayer to San Cataldo in Italian. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Red Bank, New Jersey. The statue was originally at St. Rocco’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. Evviva San Cataldo!
Preghiera Tradizionale
Glorioso San Cataldo, nostro Patrono e Protettore, noi ammiriamo in te la forza della fede e l'ardore missionario di propagarla e testimoniarla, non risparmiando sacrifici e fatiche. Ti preghiamo di ottenere anche a noi una fede gioiosa e generosa così che Dio diventi sempre più l'unico amore della nostra vita. Glorioso San Cataldo, nostro Patrono e Protettore, i nostri padri ti hanno invocato come scudo efficacissimo nelle grandi calamità e avversità, soprattutto la guerra e il terremoto, la siccità e la carestia e sempre hanno sperimentato la tua intercessione. Ti preghiamo di estendere anche ai nostri giorni tale protezione. Glorioso San Cataldo nostro Patrono e Protettore, continua a benedire la nostra comunità parrocchiale. Concedi ai cristiani e agli uomini di buona volontà di cooperare concordemente al bene comune così che la nostra parrocchia progredisca nella giustizia libera da ogni violenza ed egoismo, pronto a servire la vita e a promuovere ogni iniziativa di bene.
Feast of the Three Saints: Sant'Alfio, San Filadelfo and San Cirino
Sant'Alfio, San Filadelfo and San Cirino, orate pro nobis |
In 250 AD an edict was issued by Emperor Decius demanding that all Christians renounce their faith and pay homage to the gods, upon penalty of death. Benedicta refused and was martyred. Vitale escaped, leaving his sons in the care of a faithful servant.
Landing in Messina the prisoners were marched to Lentini, stopping in Trecastagni and Catania along the way. In charge of getting the brothers to renounce their faith, Tertullo subjected his victims to many cruel and sadistic tortures.
After months of persecution, the frustrated governor ordered their deaths. Lashed to a post, Alfio, the oldest brother, had his tongue torn out. Next, Filadelfo was burned to death on a gridiron. Finally, Cirino, the youngest, was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil.
Many miracles have been attributed to the brothers, both during their captivity and after their deaths.
Prayer for the Beatification of Madame Élisabeth of France
Servant of God Princess Élisabeth of France, sister of King Louis XVI by Élisabeth Louise Vigée le Brun (circa 1782) |
God our Father In your great mercy You called Élisabeth of France to the offering of her life for her loved ones in the heart of the tumults of the Revolution. Driven by an unwavering faith in eternal life she supported her family in their ordeals and brought hope to those who were going to die with her.
Unmarried, she helped the poor and the sick, supported by fervent prayer.
Through her intercession grant us, according to Your will, the graces that we implore.
In Your great kindness, make the Church recognize soon in her an authentic witness to the Gospel, a model of celibacy, diligent in prayer and attentive to the most fragile.
We ask You through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prière pour la béatification d'Elisabeth de France
Dieu notre Père Dans Ta grande miséricorde Tu as appelé Elisabeth de France à l'offrande de sa vie pour les siens au coeur des tumultes de la Révolution. Animée d'une foi inébranlable en la vie éternelle elle a soutenu les siens dans l'épreuve et apporté l'espérance à ceux qui allaient mourir avec elle.
Célibataire, elle a secouru les pauvres et les malades, portée par une prière fervente.
Par son intercession accorde nous selon Ta volonté les grâces que nous implorons.
En Ta grande bonté, fais que l'Eglise reconnaisse bientôt en elle un authentique témoin de l'Evangile, modèle de célibataire, assidue la prière et attentive aux plus fragiles.
Nous Te le demandons par Jésus le Christ notre Seigneur. Amen
Novena to the Holy Spirit
In preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit. It begins on the Friday after the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension)
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!
The Holy Spirit
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. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, 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 and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
SECOND DAY (Saturday of 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. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
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. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
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
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 TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
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 TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
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 TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
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 TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter)
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 TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
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. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (See above)