On November 30, 1997, the First Sunday of Advent, began the second year of immediate preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. This second year is particularly dedicated to the Holy Spirit, with a special emphasis put on the virtue of hope, and the unity of Christians. The first year had been dedicated to Jesus Christ, and the third year, 1999, will be dedicated to God the Father. Here is the prayer that Pope John Paul II wrote for this year dedicated to the Holy Spirit:
Holy Spirit, most welcome guest of our hearts,
reveal to us the profound meaning of the Great Jubilee
and prepare our hearts to celebrate it with faith,
in the hope which does not disappoint,
in the love which seeks nothing in return.
Spirit of truth, you who search the depths of God,
memory and prophecy in the Church,
lead mankind to recognize in Jesus of Nazareth
the Lord of glory, the Saviour of the world,
the supreme fulfilment of history.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
Creator Spirit, hidden builder of the Kingdom,
by the power of your saints guide the Church
to cross with courage the threshold of the new millennium
and to carry to the coming generations
the light of the Word who brings salvation.
Spirit of holiness, divine breath which moves the universe,
come and renew the face of the earth.
Awaken in Christians a desire for full unity,
that they may be for the world an effective sign and instrument
of intimate union with God and of the unity of the whole human race.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
Spirit of communion, soul and strength of the Church,
grant that wealth of charismas and ministries
may contribute to the unity of the Body of Christ;
grant that laity, consecrated persons and ordained ministers
may work together in harmony to build the one Kingdom of God.
Spirit of consolation, unfailing source of joy and peace,
inspire solidarity with the poor,
grant the sick the strength they need,
pour our trust and hope upon those experiencing trials,
awaken in all hearts a commitment to a better future.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
Spirit of wisdom, inspiration of minds and hearts,
direct science and technology
to the service of life, justice and peace.
Render fruitful our dialogue with the followers of other religions,
lead the different cultures to appreciate the values of the Gospel.
Spirit of life, by whose power the Word was made flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the woman of attentive silence,
make us docile to the promptings of your love
and ever ready to accept the signs of the times
which you place along the paths of history.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
To you, Spirit of love,
with the Almighty Father and the Only-Begotten Son,
be praise, honour and glory
for ever and ever. Amen
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Here is a prayer to the Holy Spirit written by Belgian Cardinal Désiré Joseph Mercier (1851-1926):
I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Every day for five minutes control your imagination, and close your eyes to the things of sense and your ears to all the noises of the world, in order to enter into yourself. Then, in the sanctity of your baptized soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit), speak to the Divine Spirit, saying to Him:
O, Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do, give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will.
If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely, and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it and you will arrive at the gate of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, are: knowledge, understanding, wisdom, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord, which inspires us with reverence and respect for God and all things related to Him, and inspires us with a filial fear of giving Him offense.
Subscribe