It has been a year since we have joined together praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit (Ghost) as a special intention for the church. Several of us are beginning to pray it together beginning Sat. Oct. 13th through Sun. Oct. 21st. If you are in some branch of the "Holy Catholic Church" which no longer refers to "beyond the local church organizations" as diocese please feel free to substitute "Districts", "Presbyters", "District Superintendents" or whatever terms are appropriate and more comfortable for you. God understands!!  He hears our hearts whenever we seek him.

I will post the Novena to Christ the Son in November for those who wish to join us in praying it in preparation for Advent.

NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

A Novena is a nine day period of prayer in preparation for some particular feast, or to pray for some special object. It may be made by an individual or by a group, either in public or in private. The first novena was kept at the express command of the Risen Christ, by the Apostles, Mary, and the disciples in the Upper Room from the day of our Lord’s Ascension to Pentecost (Acts 1:12 to 14) 
NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Begin with this prayer each day

O Holy Spirit, my Lord and my God, I adore thee and humbly acknowledge here in thy sacred presence that I am nothing, and can do nothing, without thy operation within me. Come, great Paraclete, thou Father of the poor, thou Comforter of the blest, fulfill the promise of our Saviour, my mind and heart as thou didst descend on the day of Pentecost upon the holy Mother of Jesus and upon his first disciples. Grant that I may have a part in those gifts which thou didst so prodigally bestow upon them.

Take from my heart all that is not pleasing to thee and make it a worthy dwelling place for Jesus.

Illumine my mind, that I may see and understand the things that are for my eternal welfare.

Inflame my heart with pure love of the Father, that, cleansed from attachment to all unworthy objects, my whole life may be hidden with Jesus in God.

Strengthen my will, that it may be comfortable to the will of my Creator and guided by thy holy inspirations.

Aid me to practice the heavenly virtues of humility, poverty and obedience which are taught me by the earthly life of Jesus.

Descend upon me, O mighty Spirit, that, inspired and encouraged by thee, I may faithfully fulfill the duties of my state in life, carry my daily cross with patience and courage, and accomplish the Father’s will for me more perfectly. Make me, day by day, more holy and give to me that heavenly peace which the world cannot give.

O Holy Spirit, thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant to me the intentions of this novena of prayer. May the Father’s will be done in me and through me. And mayest thou, O mighty Spirit of the living God, be praised and glorified for ever and ever. Amen.

Veni Creator Spiritus

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire,
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love,
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
Where thou art Guide, no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One.
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:

Praise to the eternal merit,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be they Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our tresspasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

OR USE THIS FORM FOR THE LORD'S PRAYER:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be you Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray
O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending to them the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Each of the nine days of the NOVENA, pray the prayer of the day from this section. If you miss a day, pray the prayer for that day the next time you pray the novena in addition to the prayer for the day.
Day One: Sat Oct 13

Come, O Holy Ghost, the Lord and Lifegiver; take up thy dwelling within my soul, and make of it thy sacred temple. Make me live by grace as an adopted son (daughter) of God. Pervade all the energies of my soul, and create in me a fountain of living water springing up into life everlasting.

Second Day: Sun Oct. 14

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, and power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Show me the way by which I may be able to attain to them, and possess them, and hold them hereafter, my own forever.

Third Day:  Mon Oct 15

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten my mind, that I 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 the clear vision of thee and the Father and the Son.

Fourth Day: Thu Oct 16

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 path of thy commandments to the goal of eternal life.

Fifth Day: Wed Oct 17

Come, O Spirit of Fortitude and give courage to my soul. Make my heart strong in all trials and in all distress, pouring forth abundantly into it thy gifts of strength, that I may be able to resist the attacks of the devil.

Sixth Day: Thr Oct 18

Come, O Spirit of Knowledge, and make me understand and despise the emptiness and nothingness of the world. Give me grace to use the world only for thy glory and the salvation of thy creatures. May I always be very faithful in putting thy rewards before every earthly gift.

Seventh Day: Fri Oct 19

Come, O Spirit of Piety, possess my heart; incline it to a true faith in thee, to a holy love of thee, my God, that with my whole soul I may seek thee, and find thee my best, my truest joy.

Eighth Day: Sat Oct 20

Come O Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; and shun all things that can offend thee so that I may be made worthy to appear before the pure eyes of thy divine Majesty in the heaven of heavens, where thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Ever-blessed Trinity world without end. 

Ninth Day: Sun Oct 21

Come, O Holy Comforter, and grant me a relish for heavenly things. Produce in my soul the fruits of virtue, so that, being filled with all sweetness and joy in the pursuit of good, I may attain unto eternal blessedness.

Forty Days of Prayer for the Church

Will you please join with me in praying for the church for 40 days.

I am beginning my prayer cycle today: Sunday, Sept.23 and will end it November 1st. If you join late, just add days at the end of this cycle. Share these prayers with others as you feel led. 

For the Church

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Hear our prayers for Parish families and Dioceses and other organizations within your Body.

 O God, by your grace you have called people together in Parishes and Dioceses to  be a goodly fellowship of faith.  Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and  through Jesus Christ our Lord, grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live.

Send down upon bishops, other clergy and laity and upon the congregations and dioceses committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing that they may truly please thee. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. 

Bless  Bishop(s) and other clergy, and all our people. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.