Litany of the Holy Ghost.
(For Private Devotion Only.)
V. Create a clean heart in us, O God.
R. And renew a right spirit within us.
Let Us Pray.
Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame, and cleanse our hearts; that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew, and make us fruitful in good works. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Hymns to the Holy Ghost.
Veni, Creator Spiritus.
Come, Holy Ghost.
Act Of Oblation To The Holy Ghost.
On my knees, before the great cloud of witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body, to Thee, eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity; the unerring keenness of Thy justice; and the might of Thy love. Thou art the strength and the light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace; and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Make me faithful in every thought: and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice, and watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee, and give myself to Thee, and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus, and looking at His five wounds and trusting to His precious blood, and adoring His opened side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee, adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, [pg 361] so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee with the sin which Thou canst not forgive. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee, always and everywhere, speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Amen.
The Office of the Holy Ghost.
At Matins.
V. The grace of the Holy Ghost illuminate our senses and hearts.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, open Thou my lips.
R. And my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
V. Incline unto my aid, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hymn.
Ant. Come, Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Prayer.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the virtue of Thy Holy Spirit may be present within us, which may both purify our hearts, and defend us from all adversities; through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee and the same Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth. Amen.
[pg 362]At Prime.
V. The grace of, etc. (as before).
Hymn.
The anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.
At Tierce.
V. The grace of, etc. (as before).
Hymn.
The anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.
At Sext.
V. The grace of, etc. (as before).
Hymn.
The anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.
At None.
V. The grace of, etc. (as before).
[pg 363]Hymn.
The anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.
At Vespers.
V. The grace of, etc. (as before).
Hymn.
The anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.
At Compline.
V. The grace of, etc. (as before).
V. Convert us, O God Our Saviour:
R. And avert Thy anger from us.
V. Incline unto my aid, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Hymn.
The anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.
[pg 364]Commendation.
Novena to the Holy Ghost.
First Day: Fruits Of Charity And Joy.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the Holy Ghost—charity and joy.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
O most holy Spirit, the Paraclete, we adore Thee with all humility; and with the most lively affections of our hearts, we beseech Thee to assist us in this Thy novena, that we may rightly prepare ourselves to receive Thy heavenly gifts. We cannot, O divine Spirit, receive Thee without Thine own aid preventing us. Without Thee we cannot please Thee. Do Thou then, Who didst prepare the heart of Mary to receive the Word Incarnate, vouchsafe so to dispose our hearts that we may happily conceive the blessed flames of Thy love. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Burn, O Lord, with the fire of Thy Holy Spirit our reins and our hearts, that we may serve Thee with chaste bodies, and please Thee with clean hearts; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing of almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon us now, and abide with us always. Amen.
Second Day: Fruits Of Peace And Patience.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the Holy Ghost—peace and patience.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
O sweetest and most dear Mother Mary, behold us at thy feet, and having kissed them a thousand times [pg 366] with the lips of our hearts, we humbly implore of thee a favor more needful for us than all else in the world. Since thou art the spouse of the Holy Ghost, the dispenser of His treasures, and His sweet stewardess, since thou hast been enriched beyond all other creatures with His heavenly gifts, obtain for us, as thou didst obtain for the apostles, His coming into our hearts; and for this end obtain for us the grace to imitate, so far as in us lies, the examples of thy humility, thy purity, thy charity. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
O God, to Whom every heart is open and every will speaketh, and from Whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the infusion of the Holy Ghost, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Third Day: Fruits Of Benignity And Goodness.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the Holy Ghost—benignity and goodness.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Most holy prince of the apostles, blessed St. Peter, behold us at thy feet, to implore thy aid in obtaining the Holy Spirit. We, indeed, have been unfaithful [pg 367] to Our Redeemer, not three times only, as thou wert, but thousands and thousands of times; so that we could not hope that the spotless Dove would vouchsafe to descend into our poor souls, stained with so many sins; yet thine example, blessed apostle, gives us boldness. Thou didst weep bitterly, and with thy tears wert so cleaned as to receive all the gifts of the divine Paraclete. We too desire to bewail our sins with bitterest grief like thine, while we humbly implore thine intercession to obtain for us, first of all, cleanness of heart, and then the gift of the Holy Ghost, for which we yearn most earnestly. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
O God, Who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to think the things that be right, and ever to rejoice in His consolations; through the same Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Fourth Day: Fruits Of Long-Suffering And Mildness.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the Holy Ghost—long-suffering and mildness.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
O blessed and happy apostles of Our Lord, who in [pg 368] the upper room did receive the Holy Spirit with such fulness that thou wert sweetly inebriated with divine love, we congratulate thee with the most humble and lively affection, and contemplate thy graces with a holy envy. We beseech thee, by that love which thou dost bear the Holy Spirit, Who thus filled thee with His special benedictions, obtain for us efficacious aid rightly to practise that brotherly concord, that continual prayer, and that tender devotion to Mary, whereby we can obtain, even as thou didst obtain, the coming of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
May the infusion of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, purify our hearts, and by the inward sprinkling of His gracious dew make them fertile in all good works; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Fifth Day: Fruits Of Faith And Modesty.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the Holy Ghost—faith and modesty.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
O eternal Father, how shall we ever bless and praise Thee sufficiently, or thank Thy goodness as we ought? A thousand times blessed be Thine infinite [pg 369] charity, Thine infinite providence, and Thine infinite mercy, which moved Thee to repair our miseries, and to give unto us a gift wherein is contained all the good that proceedeth from Thee! Thou hast given us also the Holy Ghost, Who proceedeth from Thy will as Thine uncreated love. What can we seek for more? And what shall we give unto Thee for so great a gift? O Lord, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, of Thy clemency to take for Thine own all our understanding, all our will, all ourselves, and that little for all eternity. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Paraclete, Who proceedeth from Thee, may enlighten our minds, and, according to the promise of Thy Son, may lead us into all truth; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Sixth Day: Fruits Of Continence And Chastity.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the Holy Ghost—continence and chastity.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Most holy, most divine Spirit, if there be any souls in the world more needful of Thine aid than others, it is surely ours, blinded by passions, chilled [pg 370] with obstinate lukewarmness, and defiled with a thousand imperfections. Come, then, O divine Spirit! come and enlighten us; kindle our fervor, and destroy in us all that is displeasing in Thy sight. The greater our miseries are, so much the more glorious will be Thy triumph over our perversity. Come and create in us new hearts, which shall have all for God, and nothing for the world. Create in us clean hearts, O God. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
Grant unto Thy Church, O merciful God, that she, being gathered together in the Holy Spirit, may be in no wise disturbed by the incursions of her enemies; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Seventh Day: Descent Of The Holy Ghost Upon Mary At The Annunciation.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary in honor of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the ever-blessed Mother of God at the Annunciation.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Most divine Spirit, the Paraclete, we hardly dare to beseech Thee to come into our souls, knowing well how sinful and defiled they are. It seems an intolerable boldness to invite God—yea, no less a one [pg 371] than God!—to be a guest in a lodging so unclean. Yet Thou vouchsafest graciously to reassure us by that infinite goodness of Thine, whereby Thou dost dispose with Thy prevenient graces those hearts which Thou dost condescend to honor with Thy presence. O blessed Spirit, deign to come into us, and delay not Thy gracious coming, while we cease not calling upon Thee and beseeching Thee to console us with Thy long-expected coming. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
We beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to pour into our minds the Holy Spirit, by Whose wisdom we were created, and by Whose providence we are ruled; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Eighth Day: Descent Of The Holy Ghost Upon Jesus At The Jordan.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary in honor of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus at the Jordan.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Most adorable Trinity, we venture with all humility and awe to approach the lofty throne of your exalted majesty; with our heads prostrated in the dust we adore you, and give you endless thanks for the immense blessings which you have bestowed on us [pg 372] miserable men. We thank Thee, O eternal Father, and Thee, O divine Son, for the gift which you have given us of the Holy Ghost; for in giving us this Love, Who proceedeth from you, you have given us your own selves. We thank Thee, O Holy Ghost, Who art at once the gift and the giver of all gifts, and we most earnestly beseech Thee to give us Thyself. No other gift but Thine own self can satisfy our souls, and having Thee alone we shall have all things. But what can we give Thee in exchange for so great benefits? O blessed Spirit, vouchsafe of Thy mercy to accept for all eternity all our thoughts, all our affections, and all ourselves. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may burn with that fire of the Holy Ghost which Our Lord Jesus Christ sent upon the earth, and which He desired to be vehemently enkindled; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing, etc.
Ninth Day: Transfiguration And Ascension Of Our Lord, And The Manifestations Of The Holy Ghost.
Veni Creator.
Let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary in honor of the transfiguration and ascension of our most dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the ineffable [pg 373] love of the Holy Ghost in all His manifestations to His creatures.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Most holy Virgin and exalted Mother of God, who wast above all creatures disposed to receive the Holy Ghost, and who didst receive Him with greater fulness than all others; dispose, we beseech thee, by thy gracious aid, our cold hearts for the approaching solemnity of Pentecost. We fly to thee, most benignant Mother of sinners, that thou mayest obtain for us a lively contrition for our sins; so that although we cannot receive the Holy Ghost, as innocent, like thyself, yet may we receive Him as true penitents, together with those Gentile penitents who received Him in the upper room. Grant this, most holy Mother, not for our merits, for we have none, but out of thine own exceeding goodness, and that great love which thou bearest to the same blessed Spirit, Who hast chosen thee for His Spouse. Amen.
O let us fall and worship Him, etc.
Come, Holy Spirit, etc.
V. and R. Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the splendor of Thy brightness may shine upon us; and that the light of Thy light may, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, confirm the hearts of those who by grace are regenerate; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.
May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and remain with us always. Amen.