Novena for Pentecost, day four

As we move through the novena we turn from one gift of the Holy Spirit to another. The gift of Piety 'perfects the virtue of religion, which is the practice of justice toward God' (Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon). We often describe someone who is obviously devout as 'pious' and although the two go hand in hand there is much more to it than that. What makes piety so wonderful is that it produces within us a deeper and more special love for God which, in turn, inspires us with a greater devotion to him and a longing to be close to him and do his will. It transforms our perception of God from simply Master and Lord into Father and loving guide. This greater and more...passionate love makes us more devout but the outward devotions are nil compared to what goes on in the heart. So let us pray together for the gift of piety for each and every one of us.

Veni Creator Spiritus (Hymn)

1. Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti pectora.

2. Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas
et spiritalis unctio.

3. Tu septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae
tu rite promissum Patris
sermone ditans guttura.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.

5. Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

6. Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

7. Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
All: And you shall renew the face of the earth

Let us pray
O God who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Sprit we may be always truly wise and always rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

All: O God I adore you, as the third person of the ever blessed Trinity. You are the living love with which the Father and the Son love each other. And you are the author of supernatural love in our hearts. Increase in me this grace of love, in spite of my unworthiness. It is more precious than anything else to in the world. I accept it in place of all the world can give me. It is my life. Amen.
(JH Newman)

Priest: 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, grant the same Holy Spirit to me, to perfect in my soul the work of your grace and your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may not be attached to the passing things of this world, but always look to Heaven. The Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth. The Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God. The Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my own cross with you. The Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow more perfect. The Spirit of Piety that I may find service of God sweet and amiable. The Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and avoid what displeases him. Mark me dear Lord with the sign of your true disciples, and animate me in all things with your Spirit. Amen

Regina Caeli (Hymn)

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Novena for Pentecost, day three

During a novena in the lead up to Pentecost we often pray to receive one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit of which there are seven; wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. They, as the Catechism tells us, 'complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them' (CCC 1831) and bring with them the fruits of the Spirit (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity), little perfections as it were that are formed within us 'as the first fruits of eternal glory' (CCC 1832).

The gift of 'Fear of the Lord' (or 'Holy Fear') is one that can confuse and worry people a little simply because it doesn't sound like much fun. In fact many would say it doesn't even sound like a gift at all. But Holy Fear is not about being terrified of God, living in dread that he might squish us like an ant or anything like that. What it is instead is a spirit of deep reverence and awe of God, something which helps us to recognise how great and powerful and loving and merciful he is and, in comparison, how small and in need of his help we are. Without this help from the Holy Spirit we are in danger of believing that we can make do without God, perhaps even that we can do better, and fail to see that we are 'but a breath' (Ps. 62:9) and all goodness comes from God alone and without him our efforts are in vain. Please do join with us today in praying for this gift.

Veni Creator Spiritus (Hymn)

1. Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti pectora.

2. Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas
et spiritalis unctio.

3. Tu septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae
tu rite promissum Patris
sermone ditans guttura.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.

5. Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

6. Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

7. Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
All: And you shall renew the face of the earth

Let us pray
O God who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Sprit we may be always truly wise and always rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

All: O God I adore you, as the third person of the ever blessed Trinity. You are the living love with which the Father and the Son love each other. And you are the author of supernatural love in our hearts. Increase in me this grace of love, in spite of my unworthiness. It is more precious than anything else to in the world. I accept it in place of all the world can give me. It is my life. Amen.
(JH Newman)

Priest: 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, grant the same Holy Spirit to me, to perfect in my soul the work of your grace and your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may not be attached to the passing things of this world, but always look to Heaven. The Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth. The Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God. The Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my own cross with you. The Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow more perfect. The Spirit of Piety that I may find service of God sweet and amiable. The Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and avoid what displeases him. Mark me dear Lord with the sign of your true disciples, and animate me in all things with your Spirit. Amen

Regina Caeli (Hymn)

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Confirmation

This Sunday the new parish Confirmation program begins. We are very excited this year to have 38 (yes, 38) candidates all keen to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and enter into their lives as adult Christians called to live and breathe the Gospel. Please keep them all in your prayers as they begin this exciting journey.