Novena To The Holy Spirit – Day 8 – Piety

And all who shared the faith owned everything in common: they sold their goods and possessions and distributed the proceeds among them-selves according to what each one needed. Each day, with one heart, they regularly went up to the Temple but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone.” (Acts 2: 43-7)

Reflection
As we are drawn into a deeper relationship with God and with each other, we naturally want to live in right relationship with our Creator and the whole human family, which has been created in His image. The gift of pi-ety inspires in us that instinctive affection for God which makes us want to worship and praise Him, both in word and deed. This means that piety stirs us to reflect the Father’s love to others, to be people whose everyday lives are motivated by charity, justice, and a concern for those most in need. Love of God, love of others. Am I truly striving to love as Jesus loves? Filled with holy piety, may the practice of our faith be transformed from burdensome duty to joyful service. Where there is love, there is no labour.

Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Piety! Lift up our hearts in worship and praise Help us to honour and respect the work of Your hands May we be your instruments in bringing creation to its fulfillment through lives of joyful and generous service. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, body and soul to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You, I live and move. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.” Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Lord Jesus Christ, before ascending into heaven You promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples. Grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and only desire the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel that I may always choose the way of pleasing God and gaining heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and myself and grow perfect on the path to holiness; the Spirit of Piety that I may seek to serve God and His Church; and the Spirit of Fear and Awe that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and inspire me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.