Education for Life Workshop
An Education for Life one day workshop was held at St John’s Parish in Estcourt on 15th June 2013. The program was conducted for the Zulu speaking youth and young...
Holy Spirit Novena
NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS
This Novena is to be said on the nine days leading up to Pentecost Sunday. It needs to be said after serious thought and reflection on whether you really want the Holy Spirit to empower you through these gifts.
The format is as follows:
Each day, spend a few quiet moments putting yourself into the presence of God. Ask for the grace to be open to the working of His Holy Spirit in and through you.
There are three prayers to be prayed each day as you start praying the Novena. They are:
The Opening Prayer
The Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Then, there is a specific prayer for each day of the nine days. At the end of your Novena spend a few more quiet moments just being with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let God speak to you in the silence of your heart.
To be said each day as you begin:
OPENING PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine Love. Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Divine Spirit of Truth and Love,
I consecrate my mind, heart and will to you today.
Open my mind to your divine inspirations.
Fill my heart with love of God and my neighbour and help me
to live a life in faithful imitation of Jesus, to whom, in union with you and the Father, be glory forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Holy Spirit,
Fill me with your Seven Holy Gifts.
Enlighten my Understanding that I may know you.
Give me Wisdom that your will may be clear to me.
Grant me the gift of Counsel that I may always discern what is right.
Fortify me that I may do the will of the Father.
Inspire me through the gift of Knowledge always to penetrate more deeply the truths you have revealed.
Fill me with the spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God pleasing and fulfilling, and inspire in me a Reverence and Awe of the Lord that keeps me faithful to Him always. Amen.
DAY ONE: FRIDAY 18 MAY
PRAYER FOR ALL THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Almighty God, you have given me the gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. Pour our your Spirit as promised, on me, your humble servant. Fill me with the sevenfold gifts that I may be empowered to do your will, and serve you in the building of the Kingdom. I ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
DAY TWO: SATURDAY 19 MAY
THE GIFT OF WISDOM
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Wisdom. Reveal to me the mysteries of the Kingdom in all their beauty and fullness. Teach me to love the things of heaven beyond the passing pleasures of this world, and to seek your wisdom so that I can do the Father’s will. Help me to grow in this wisdom each day. Amen.
DAY THREE: SUNDAY 20 MAY
THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Understanding. Enlighten my mind that I may accept and believe the truths revealed by Jesus. Help me to discern what is good, what is evil, and to stay on the Way shown by Jesus – the Way that will lead to eternal life with you, the Father and the Son. Amen.
DAY FOUR: MONDAY 21 MAY
THE GIFT OF COUNSEL
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Counsel. Guide me in everything I do, that I may always do the will of the Father. Make me prefer what is holy and good to what is evil. Direct my steps on the path that leads to eternal life. Amen.
DAY FIVE: TUESDAY 22 MAY
THE GIFT OF PIETY
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Piety. Fill my heart and soul with a longing for what is pure and holy. Teach me to be humble and zealous in the service of my Lord. Keep my eyes fixed on the goal of building the Kingdom of God here on earth.
DAY SIX: WEDNESDAY 23 MAY
THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Knowledge. Teach me what I need to know for my salvation and the service of others. Help me to stay focused on the pursuit of holiness and on doing the will of the Father. Give me a love for all that is just and right and may I always strive to know more about my faith. Amen.
DAY SEVEN: THURSDAY 24 MAY
THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Fortitude. Protect me in times of trial and temptation. Strengthen me in my weakness, give me courage to face and resist the assaults on my soul and keep me always close to you, the Father and the Son. Amen.
DAY EIGHT: FRIDAY 25 MAY
THE GIFT OF REVERENCE AND AWE
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Reverence and Awe. Help me always to acknowledge God as the Creator and giver of all that is good in my life. May I never be found wanting in respect and reverence for my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and may I never be guilty of indifference to you. Amen.
DAY NINE: SATURDAY 26 MAY
THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come and fill me, O Divine Holy Spirit. Fill my heart with your fruits that my life may manifest these to the greater glory of God: your LOVE, your JOY, your PEACE, your PATIENCE, your KINDNESS, your GOODNESS, your FAITHFULNESS, your GENTLENESS and your SELF-CONTROL. Keep me close to you so that I may produce these fruits in ever greater measure. Amen.
