Praying for the people of Syria

On my own personal blog this week I have started praying the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the people of Syria and peace in that country. The stories on the news of late are getting more and more horrific with the violence affecting more and more people. Apparently over 20,000 have been killed since the uprising began 17 months ago. 20,000...that's almost half the population of Horsham.

It is easy to watch the news or read the papers and feel somewhat helpless, what can we here in the UK do?  Since we are so far away what aid or assistance can we offer? Prayer is the single most powerful tool at our disposal. It is has more impact than any weapon, is more soothing than any cure and those of Our Lady have the most potency of all. Our Lord always listens to the requests of his Blessed Mother, she who carried him in her womb, raised and nurtured him, who quietly followed him during his ministry. Of all people of earth she was closest to him at all times, so out of love for all the people in Syria who are suffering so greatly please join me in asking her for help.

Dear Mother of Perpetual Help 
from the cross Jesus gave you to us for our Mother. 
You are the kindest, 
the most loving of all mothers. 
Look tenderly on us your children 
as we now ask you to help us 
in all our needs especially this one.

We pray for peace in Syria and for justice its people. We pray that they will be reconciled to one another and live in harmony.

While you were on earth, 
dear Mother you willingly shared in the sufferings of your Son. 
Strengthened by your faith and confidence in the fatherly love of God 
you accepted the mysterious designs of His Will. 
We too have our crosses and trials. 
Sometimes they almost crush us to the ground. 

Dearest Mother, share with us your abundant faith and confidence in God. 
Make us aware that God never ceases to love us; 
that He answers all our prayers in the way that is best for us. 
Strengthen our hearts to carry the cross
in the footsteps of your Divine Son. 
Help us to realize that he who shares the cross of Christ 
will certainly share His resurrection. 

Dearest Mother, as we worry about our own problems 
let us not forget the needs of others. 
You always love others so much; 
help us to do the same. 
While praying for our own intentions 
and for all the intentions of all here present 
at this Novena we earnestly ask you, our Mother, 
to help us comfort the sick and the dying,
give hope to the poor and unemployed, 
heal the broken-hearted,
lighten the burden of the oppressed, 
teach justice to their oppressors 
and bring back to God all those who have offended Him. 

Dearest Mother, help us to avoid sin 
which separates us from our heavenly Father 
and from one another. 
Full of trust in you, 
we place ourselves under the mantle of your maternal protection and confidently hope for your powerful help.
Amen.

Novena for Pentecost, day nine

On many novenas for Pentecost or to the Holy Spirit the last gift we pray for is, bizarrely, the one that is almost always listed first; the spirit of wisdom. It puzzled me a little as to why so many novenas seem to ask the Spirit to bestow his gifts on us in reverse order. But I think that the reason for this is that, although all of these gifts are equal in worth and all bring us into a more intimate knowledge of the divine, allowing the Holy Spirit to work within and through us, wisdom is...something else, something more. A gift that, in many ways, requires of us to have some experience of all of the others before we can receive this one and have it bear fruit within us. Wisdom is more than a deep reverence of God, more than a knowledge and understanding of him, more than the courage and good judgement to carry out his will. Wisdom is...summed up best, I think, by the book of Wisdom itself. For instance it says;

"She [Wisdom] is a breath of the power of God,
pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
hence nothing impure can find a way into her.
She is a reflection of the eternal light,
untarnished mirror of God's active power,
image of his goodness.
She is indeed more splendid than the sun,
she outshines all the constellations;
compared with light, she takes the first place,
for light must yield to night,
but to Wisdom evil can never triumph.
She deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other,
ordering all things for good." (Wisdom 7:25-26, 29-30)

What better a gift to ask for on this, the last day of our novena? What more could we ask for, what else could we want to take root within us but the spirit of wisdom?

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 eight

As we continue to pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (which is so very close now) we move on to meditate on the gift of counsel. Since I couldn't come up with anything coherent to say I have, once again, cheated and pinched some words from Blessed John Paul II.

"A need that is keenly felt in our days, disturbed by not a few crises and by a widespread uncertainty about true values, if that which is called "reconstructing consciences". That is to say, one is aware of the necessity of neutralizing certain destructive factors which easily find their way into the human spirit when it is agitated by passions, and of introducing healthy positive elements into it.


In this commitment to moral restoration the Church must be, and is, in the forefront; hence the prayer that arise: from the hearts of her members - of all of us - to obtain especially the help of light from on high. The Spirit of God responds to this plea through the gift of Counsel, by which he enriches and perfects the virtue of prudence and guides the soul from within, enlightening it about what to do, especially when it is a matter of important choices (for example, of responding to a vocation), or about a path to be followed among difficulties and obstacles. In fact experience confirms that "the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans", as the Book of Wisdom says (9:14).


The gift of Counsel acts like a new breath in the conscience, suggesting to it what is licit, what is becoming, what is more fitting for the soul (cf. St Bonaventure, "Collationes de septem donis Spiritus Sancti", VII, 5). Thus the conscience becomes like the "healthy eye" of which the Gospel speaks (Mt 6:21), an eye which acquires, as it were, a new pupil, by means of which it is able to see better what to do in a given situation, no matter how intricate and difficult. Aided by this gift, the Christian penetrates the true meaning of gospel values, in particular those expressed in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Mt 5:7).Let us therefore ask for the gift of Counsel! Let us ask for it for ourselves and, in particular, for the pastors of the Church, so often called, by the demands of their work, to make arduous and agonizing decisions." (Blessed John Paul II, Regina Caeli  Sunday 7th May 1989.)

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 seven

All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are, obviously, related and inter-connected. Understanding goes hand in hand with the gifts of wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge allows us to come to a greater awareness of the divine, wisdom gives us the ability to contemplate the things of heaven and the desire to detach ourselves from the things of the world (to be in the world but not of the world) and understanding helps us to penetrate deeper into the mysteries of God. Although we can never grasp them fully as we are only finite beings trying to fathom the infinite and have a limited capability to take, for example, the awesomeness of the Trinity in but it does lead us into a fuller acceptance of the truth behind it. It, along with wisdom and knowledge, perfects the virtue of faith and we can't do without it. (There is also a wonderful message from Blessed John Paul II on Understanding, given after the Regina Caeli on April 16th 1989 - ten days after I was born - which can be found here.)

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 six

The gift of knowledge perfects the theological virtue of faith, "...by which we believe in God an believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself..." (CCC 1814) Through the Holy Spirit God gives us the ability to recognise him in the world around us, through all created things, through other people. This gift awakens within us a deeper awareness, in part, of God's will and his plan for us. Without it we can't hope to respond to his invitation, to embark on our vocation. So today let us pray for the gift of knowledge and all that comes with it.

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 five

'Among these gifts of the Spirit there is one on which I wish to dwell this morning: the gift of Fortitude. In our time many extol physical force, to the extent of also approving the extreme forms of violence. In fact, man has daily experience of his own weakness, especially in the spiritual and moral sphere, yielding to the impulses of internal passions and external pressures.

Precisely to resist these multiple stimuli, it is necessary to have the virtue of fortitude, which is one of the four cardinal virtues on which the whole structure of the moral life rests. It is the virtue by which one does not compromise in fulfilling one's duty.

This virtue finds little room in a society in which surrender and accommodation on the one hand, and domination and toughness on the other, are widespread in economic, social and political relations. Timidity and aggressiveness are two forms of lack of fortitude which are often found in human behaviour; they result repeatedly in the distressing sight of one who is weak and cowardly towards the powerful, or of one who is arrogant and overbearing towards the defenceless.

Perhaps today as never before the moral virtue of fortitude needs the support of the corresponding gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of Fortitude is a supernatural impulse which gives strength to the soul, not only on exceptional occasions such as that of martyrdom, but also in normal difficulties: in the struggle to remain consistent with one's principles: in putting up with insults and unjust attacks: in courageous perseverance on the path of truth and uprightness, in spite of lack of understanding and hostility.

When, like Jesus in Gethsemane, we experience "the weakness of the flesh" (cf. Mt 26:41; Mk14:38), or rather, of human nature subject to physical and psychological infirmities, we should ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of Fortitude to remain firm and decisive on the path of goodness. Then we will be able to repeat with St Paul: "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (1 Cor12:10).

There are many of Christ's followers - pastors and faithful, priests, religious, and laity, engaged in every area of apostolic and social work who in all times, including our own, have experienced and experience martyrdom of body and spirit, in intimate union with the Mother of Sorrows beside the Cross. All have been victorious thanks to this gift of the Spirit.

Let us ask Mary, whom we now greet as Queen of Heaven, to obtain for us the gift of Fortitude in all the vicissitudes of life and at the hour of death.' (Blessed John Paul II, Homily on Solemnity of Pentecost, 1989)

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 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.

Novena for Pentecost, day two

The time between Ascension and Pentecost is always an interesting one as it encourages us, like the apostles did, to reflect upon what our role within the Church should be, what our priorities are and how we should live out our vocation as Christians. What it illustrates so beautifully I think is that we can do nothing, our efforts amount to nothing without the help of the Holy Spirit. It makes us look forward once again to that great outpouring and encourages us to pray for the renewal of each of us as individuals and as the Body of Christ. Please join us as we pray our novena for Pentecost.

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 one

Every year the Catholic community all over the world gathers together in a special time of prayer in preparation for the celebration of Pentecost, the birthday, as it were, of the Church. On this day the apostles received a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were confirmed in their mission to preach the Good News and went out telling anyone and everyone about the love of God and Christ's triumph over death.

For the nine days leading up to this extra special day there will be a short (approximately ten to fifteen minutes) time of prayer in St. Johns and all are warmly invited to join in. If you can't make it, however, please do feel free to pray with us from home or work (or wherever else) with the prayers shown below.

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.