We are in the midst of some of the most powerful celebrations of the year. We are moving quickly from Ascension to Pentecost to Trinity Sunday to Corpus Christi. Are you able to appreciate these feasts?

We spent the Easter season celebrating what Jesus has done for us; how he saved us from meaninglessness, mediocrity, destructiveness and distortions. We have been encouraging you to make changes in your life that bear witness to Jesus and his message. If you have been trying, I suspect you found that it is hard. When we try to look at the world as saved persons we see so much that is wrong. We even find that things aren't perfect within the context of what we know is right. Doing the right thing in the right way at the right time is a real challenge. But don't fret, help has arrived.

We are now celebrating Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Do any of you believe we can even change ourselves without him? We should take this feast seriously. In some cultures Ascension Thursday, Whit Monday (Monday after Pentecost), and Corpus Christi Day are celebrated as public holidays. In most of the US, we have moved Ascension Thursday to a Sunday and give only passing attention to the rest. We need these feasts and we need to learn to celebrate them.

So how about a Novena to the Holy Spirit. This is taken from an old (older than I am) Catholic Manual. I have included just the prayers and have changed a word or two, but I think you will find it powerful.

First Day

Almighty and Eternal God, You have regenerated us by water and the Holy Spirit, and have given us forgiveness of all sins, promise to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit; the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of holy Fear. Amen.

Second Day

Come, of blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set You my Lord and God, before my face forever; and shun all things that can offend You, so that I may be made worthy to appear before the oure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in the heavens, where you live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.

Third Day

Come, O blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart, incline it to true faith in You, to a holy love of You, my God, and of all my fellow creatures for Your sake. Amen.

Fourth Day

Come, O blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I amy realize their vanity and use them only for Your glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to You and Your eternal rewards. Amen.

Fifth Day

Come, O blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthennmy weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from You, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Sixth Day

Come, O blessed Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Your holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Your commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.

Seventh Day

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Your Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of You and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Eighth Day

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, 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 them and possess them forever. Amen.

Ninth Day

Holy, Divine Spirit, by the infinite merits of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, deign to pour abroad Your most ardent and omnipotent charity into all hearts, so that there may be one Fold and one Shepherd in the whole world; and that we may all come to sing Your divine praises in heaven forever. Amen.

Don't let this be just another batch of words. Do something each day to live with and exercise the gifts of the Spirit.

Marsha