Dear Parishioners,

After Jesus ascended to heaven, His apostles, together with Mary His mother, and other members of the original Christian Church continued to pray together until the great feast of Pentecost when, in accordance with Jesus’ promise, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” These nine days of prayer reported in the Acts of the Apostles were the first novena on which all later novenas have been based.

As the Sacred Heart Parish community, I would like to invite you to pray this Novena to the Holy Spirit beginning tomorrow Friday (May 22nd) and ending Saturday (May 30th). Please offer the following prayer once each day to renew the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit in your soul.

PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Oh, Spirit of WISDOM, preside over all my thoughts, words and actions in my life.

Spirit of UNDERSTANDING, enlighten and teach me.

Spirit of COUNSEL, direct my inexperience.

Spirit of FORTITUDE, strengthen my weakness.

Spirit of KNOWLEDGE, instruct my ignorance.

Spirit of PIETY, make me fervent in prayer and good works.

Heavenly Spirit, make me persevere, in the service of God, and enable me to act on all occasions with goodness and kindness, charity and joy, with long-suffering, mildness and fidelity.

Let the heavenly virtues of modesty, humility and chastity, adorn the temple you have chosen for your abode.

Spirit of HOLINESS (Fear of the Lord), by your all-powerful grace, preserve me from the misfortune of sin. Amen.

May the Holy Spirit renew your hearts and minds.

Fr. Fred+