Novena To The Holy Spirit – Day 9 – Fruits Of The Holy Spirit

[We] ask that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of his will and so be able to lead a life worthy of the Lord, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects, bearing fruit in every kind of good work and growing in the knowledge of God, fortified, in accordance with his glorious strength, with all power always to persevere and endure, giving thanks with joy to the Father who has made you able to share the lot of God’s Holy people and with them to inherit the light.” (Col., 1: 9-12)

Reflection
The gifts we have prayed for are to bear rich fruit in our lives, not for our own glory but for the glory of God. In the great variety of communities he served, St Paul recognised a recurring pattern of such fruits: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5: 22). Which of these fruits do I most hunger for? In imitation of Mary, we are invited to give birth to new life through the Holy Spirit working within us. May each one of us, by responding generously to God’s calling, bring forth fruit in the Church as a living branch of the true vine which is Christ Jesus.

Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and we shall be created, and You will renew the face of the earth. 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.