Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Eight

The following novena is based on traditional prayers, and is centered on the gifts associated with the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord). These form a supernatural framework through which the Holy Spirit moves us from within, by conforming us to the very mode of his own action. Also reflected in the novena are the so-called “fruits” or perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as a pledge of eternal glory. These are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. Both the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are ordered to the mission we have as baptized Christians to live and proclaim our new life in Christ.


Eighth Day: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit - Friday, May 9, 2008 (Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

Leader: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

Response: Enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Leader: Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.

Response: And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Leader: The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as a pledge of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. These virtues mark the lives of those who live by the Spirit, as St. Paul tells the Galatians when he writes: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the spirit, let us follow the spirit’s lead” (5: 16-17). The fruits of the Holy Spirit produce spiritual delight, and fill with joy the Diocese of Toledo, with joy in living our faith, so that many others may be drawn to Christ and his Church, as the fruit of a new Pentecost in our time.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Holy Spirit, eternal Love of the Father and the Son, kindly bestow on us the fruit of charity, that we may be united to you by divine love; the fruit of joy, that we may be filled with holy consolation; the fruit of peace, that we may enjoy tranquility of soul; and the fruit of goodness, that we may endure humbly everything that may be opposed to our own desires. Divine Spirit, be pleased to infuse in us the fruit of generosity, that we may willingly relieve our neighbor’s necessities; the fruit of kindness, that we may be benevolent toward all; the fruit of patience, that we may not be discouraged by delay but may persevere in prayer; and the fruit of gentleness, that we may subdue every rising of ill temper, stifle every murmur, and overcome the sinful tendencies of our nature in all our dealings with our neighbor.

Creator Spirit, graciously impart to us the fruit of faithfulness, that we may rely with assured confidence on the Word of God; the fruit of modesty, that we may order our demeanor properly; and the fruits of self-control and chastity, that we may keep our bodies in such holiness as befits your temple, so that having by your assistance preserved our hearts pure on earth, we may merit in Jesus Christ, according to the words of the Gospel, to see God eternally in the glory of his kingdom. Amen.

Leader: Mary, Model of Life in the Spirit,

Response: Pray for us.


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Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Seven

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Six

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Five

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Times - Day Four

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Times - Day Three

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Two

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day One

Diocese of Toledo Makes Novena Booklet Available: "Novena to the Holy Spirit - Pentecost in Our Time" [UPDATED]

Bishop Blair: "Come Holy Spirit"