Sunday, March 16, 2025

Protecting, defending, and promoting the family, the Building Block of Society

News

Who doesn’t want Gifts, especially divine gifts to help us to love Thy neighbor???

SAFAFamily


Amidst the troubles of the world and especially in light of the recent human tragedies of the murder of 19 innocent children at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX and the murder of almost 3000 innocent children in the wombs of their mothers in America, we must have hope in the Lord. He is the way, the truth and the life. He has shown us the way. We are called to unite our hearts and souls to Him and follow Him. Live with holy boldness in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and be doers of The Word persevering through love. With confidence, share the good news with everyone you come in contact with. He will lead us to Heaven. He will lead the innocent victims to Heaven. 

Happy Ascension Thursday!


Today we celebrate The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Rejoice in His Ascension! Alleluia!!

God the Father we pray, gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ Your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Acts 1:11 Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw Him go, alleluia.
Mt 28: 20 Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.

Over nine consecutive days, this novena prayer can help each of us to become more open to God’s Holy Spirit. Through this prayer the Holy Spirit can become your Advocate, Counselor and Consoler.
This is the first and original 9-day prayer instituted by Christ as He told His disciples to wait until He send The Gift to them in Acts 1:1-11, wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard Me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

Prayer to The Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – Pentecost Novena – the original novena(begins with the Feast of the Ascension)http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven.htm

Friday, May 27 – Saturday, June 4,  2022
(AND REPEAT Sunday, June 5 – Monday, June 13, 2022)

FOREWORD
The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas (nine consecutive days prayer) since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on (the first) Pentecost (Acts 1:1-11, http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/acts/acts1.htm).  It is still the only novena officially prescribed by The Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

Novena prayer today the Holy Spirit is a favorite of St. Mother Teresa.

https://www.motherteresa.org/novena-to-the-holy-spirit.html#third
Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body 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 and am. 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 heareth.” Amen. 

To be recited daily during the Novena 

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN #GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRITO Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the #HolySpirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your #Apostles and #Disciples, deign to 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 aspire only after 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 ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of #Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of #Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the #Saints, the Spirit of #Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of #Fear 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 animate me in all things with Your #Spirit. Amen. (To be recited daily during the Novena)

FIRST DAY (Friday, 6th Week of Easter) Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give! The Holy Spirit, Only one thing is important — eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared–sin• Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.”
Prayer-Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SECOND DAY (Saturday, 6th Week of Easter)

Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live!
The Gift of FearThe gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls.”
Prayer: Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, one God world without end. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter)Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.
The Gift of PietyThe gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.
PrayerCome, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter)

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.
The Gift of FortitudeThe Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.”

Prayer: Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.  Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter) Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill!
The Gift of Knowledge-The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth–in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it.”
Prayer: Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter) If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn’d to ill.
The Gift of UnderstandingUnderstanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
PrayerCome, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter) Heal our wounds–our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.
The Gift of Counsel–The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth.”
Prayer: Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter) Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!
The Gift of Wisdom-Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: “Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
Prayer: Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them forever. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost) Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen.
The Fruits of the Holy SpiritThe gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.
Prayer: Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven

Gifts http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven.htm Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts – typed above, or click on link to left 

 _____________________________________  Indulgence – Veni, Creator – Prayers of Supplication and Acts of ThanksgivingGrant #26.1.1 Prayers of Supplication and Acts of ThanksgivingPlenary Indulgence A plenary indulgence is granted to those who recite either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Veni Creator on the first day of the year or on the solemnity of Pentecost. VENI, Creator Spiritus,mentes tuorum visita,imple superna gratiaquae tu creasti pectora. Qui diceris Paraclitus,altissimi donum Dei,fons vivus, ignis, caritas,et spiritalis unctio. Tu, septiformis munere,digitus paternae dexterae,Tu rite promissum Patris,sermone ditans guttura. Accende lumen sensibus:infunde amorem cordibus:infirma nostri corporisvirtute firmans perpeti. Hostem repellas longius,pacemque dones protinus:ductore sic te praeviovitemus omne noxium. Per te sciamus da Patrem,noscamus atque Filium;Teque utriusque Spiritumcredamus omni tempore. Deo Patri sit gloria,et Filio, qui a mortuissurrexit, ac Paraclito,in saeculorum saecula.Amen.  COME, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,and in our souls take up Thy rest;come with Thy grace and heavenly aidto fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry,O heavenly gift of God Most High,O fount of life and fire of love,and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;Thou, finger of God’s hand we own;Thou, promise of the Father, ThouWho dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above,and make our hearts o’erflow with love;with patience firm and virtue highthe weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread,and grant us Thy peace instead;so shall we not, with Thee for guide,turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestowthe Father and the Son to know;and Thee, through endless times confessed,of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son,Who rose from death, be glory given,with Thou, O Holy Comforter,henceforth by all in earth and heaven.Amen.   Requirements for obtaining a plenary indulgence:•       Do the work while in a state of grace,•       Receive Sacramental confession within 20 days of the work (several plenary indulgences may be earned per reception),•       Receive Eucharistic communion (one plenary indulgence may be earned per reception),•       Pray for the pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary, or other appropriate prayer, is sufficient),•       Have no attachment to sin (even venial) – i.e., it is sufficient that the Christian makes an act of the will to love God and despise sin. Requirements for a partial indulgence: The work must be done while in a state of grace and with the general intention of earning an indulgence.  Notes:•       Only baptized persons in a state of grace who generally intend to do so may earn indulgences.•       Indulgences cannot be applied to the living, but only to the one doing the work or to the dead.•       Only one plenary indulgence per day can be earned (except for prayer at the hour of one’s own death).•       Several partial indulgences can be earned during the same day.•       If only part of a work with plenary indulgence attached is completed, a partial indulgence still obtains.•       If the penance assigned in confession has indulgences attached, the one work can satisfy both penance and indulgence.•       Confessors may commute the work or the conditions if the penitent cannot perform them due to legitimate obstacles.•       In groups, indulgenced prayer must be recited by at least one member while the others at least mentally follow the prayer.•       If speech/hearing impairments make recitation impossible, mental expression or reading of the prayer is sufficient.•      

For an indulgence attached to a particular day requiring a church visit, the day begins at noon the day before and ends at midnight. Bridegroom Press, 2901 Country Place Dr, Plano, TX 75075, USA  


This collection of prayers and knowledge of the opportunity for abundant grace from God is brought to you by the Saint Anthony Family Association, commonly known as the SanAntonioFamilyAssociation.com or SAFA.