Prayers to the Holy Spirit
1. Veni Creator Spiritus (English/Latin)
2. Veni Sancte Spiritus (English/Latin)
3. A Prayer of St. Augustine
4. A Prayer of St. Cyprian
5. Collects of the Holy Spirit
6. Litany to the Holy Spirit: a verse by Robert Herrick
7. Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
8.
9. Prayers for Forgiveness and Purification
10. Prayer which may also be said before Confession
11. Invocation of the Holy Spirit.
12. Aspirations to the Holy Spirit
13. Prayers for the grace of the Holy Spirit
14. Prayer for the victory of the grace of the Holy Spirit
15. Prayer for the holy souls
16. Prayer to the Holy Spirit in connection with the Eucharistic sacrifice
17. Hymns to the Holy Spirit
• Come down, O Love Divine
• Spirit Divine, attend our prayers,
• To thee, O Comforter Divine,
• Holy Spirit, Lord of grace
18. Chaplet of the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come
From your bright heavenly throne,
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all your own.
Veni, Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora
You who are called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction and true love.
Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
You who are sev'nfold in your grace,
Finger of God's right hand;
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand.
Tu, septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
O guide our minds with your blest light,
With love our hearts inflame;
And with your strength, which ne'er decays,
Confirm our mortal frame.
Accende lumen sensibus:
infunde amorem cordibus:
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.
Far from us drive our deadly foe;
True peace unto us bring;
And through all perils lead us safe
Beneath your sacred wing.
Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque dones protinus:
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.
Through you may we the Father know,
Through you th'eternal Son,
And you the Spirit of them both,
Thrice-blessed Three in One.
Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium;
Teque utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
V. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
R. And kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
R. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus
lucis tuae radium.
Holy Spirit, Lord of light,
From Thy clear celestial height
Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum
veni, lumen cordium.
Come, Thou Father of the poor,
Come with treasures which endure,
Come, Thou Light of all that live.
Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.
Thou, of all consolers best,
Thou, the soul’s delightsome Guest,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.
In labore requies,
in aestu temperies
in fletu solatium.
Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.
O lux beatissima,
reple cordis intima
tuorum fidelium.
Light immortal, Light divine,
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.
Sine tuo numine,
nihil est in homine,
nihil est innoxium.
If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.
Lava quod est sordidum,
riga quod est aridum,
sana quod est saucium.
Heal our wounds; our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Flecte quod est rigidum,
fove quod est frigidum,
rege quod est devium.
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
Da tuis fidelibus,
in te confidentibus,
sacrum septenarium.
Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts descend:
Da virtutis meritum,
da salutis exitum,
da perenne gaudium,
Amen, Alleluia.
Give them comfort when they die,
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy. Amen.
O Holy Spirit, be present,
and from heaven shed down your consolation
on those that expect you;
sanctify the temple of my body,
and consecrate it as a dwelling place for yourself.
Make the souls that desire you joyful with your presence.
Make the house fit for you, the Inhabitant:
adorn your chamber and surround the place of your rest with all virtues;
expel whatever is unholy and the spring of corruption;
and make this joy permanent and lasting:
continuing the renewal of your creature forever
in unfading beauty. Amen.
COLLECTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. Almighty God,
unto whom all heares are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden;
cleanse the thoughts of our heares
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
2. O God the King of glory,
who has exalted your only Son Jesus, Christ
with great triumph unto your Kingdom in Heaven:
we beseech you,
leave us not comfortless, but send to us your Holy Spirit to comfort us,
and raise us unto the same place
where our Saviour Christ is gone before:
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
3. Send, we beseech you, Almighty God,
your Holy Spirit into our heares,
that he may rule and direct us according to your will,
comfort us in all our temptations and afflictions,
defend us from all error,
and lead us into all Truth;
that we, being steadfast in the faith,
may increase in love and in all good works,
and in the end obtain everlasting life:
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
(A verse by Robert Herrick)
The parts of the prayer in parentheses may be added when this is prayed as a preparation for death, or a devotion for a happy death.
In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown'd in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
[When the passing bell doth toll,
And the Furies in a shoal
Come to fright a parting soul,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!]
When the tapers now burn blue,
And the comforters are few,
And that number more than true,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
[When the priest his last hath pray'd,
And I nod to what is said,
'Cause my speech is now decay'd,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!]
When, God knows, I'm toss'd about
Either with despair or doubt;
Yet before the glass be out,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the tempter me pursu'th
With the sins of all my youth,
And half damns me with untruth,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the flames and hellish cries
Fright mine ears and fright mine eyes,
And all terrors me surprise,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
[When the Judgment is reveal'd,
And that open'd which was seal'd,
When to Thee I have appeal'd,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!]
PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
O Holy Spirit of Grace,
be my Wisdom, to teach me my faith;
be my Understanding, in all my doubts;
be my Strength against all temptations;
be my Knowledge, in fulfilling my vocation;
be my Godliness, in all my actions;
be my holy Fear, all the day long:
that you may be my Comfort at the last,
and my Happiness forever. Amen.
Another prayer
O Holy Spirit, Living God,
dwell in me,
and let the sunshine of your love ripen your fruits in my soul.
May I grow in love, joy, and peace;
in patience, kindness, and goodness;
in long-suffering, mildness, and faith;
in modesty, continence and chastity.
Help me to crucify the flesh with its vices and desires.
Let me not fail in doing good, that in due time I may reap a fruitful harvest.
Show your mercy upon the Church of God.
Hear me quickly, O Lord, for without you my spirit fails,
and my life withers away.
Guide me, for you are the Spirit of grace;
and bring me to my inheritance, for you are the Spirit of truth.
Make me poor in spirit, that mine may be the kingdom of Heaven.
PRAYERS FOR FORGIVENESS and PURIFICATION
Author of Sanctification, Spirit of love and truth,
I adore you
as the Origin of my eternal welfare,
I thank you,
As the Sovereign Dispenser of the benefits that I receive from on high;
and I invoke you
as the source of the light and strength
which is necessary for me to know good and to practice it.
Spirit of light and strength,
enlighten my understanding,
strengthen my will,
purify my heare and rule all its actions,
and make me humble to all your inspirations.
Pardon me, Spirit of grace and mercy;
pardon my continual unfaithfulness,
and the wretched blindness with which I have repulsed
the gentlest, and the most powerful impulses of your Grace.
I desire by the aid of this Grace
to cease from being rebellious against it,
and from now on to follow its guidance with such humility,
that I may taste the fruits and enjoy the blessings which your holy Gifts produce in the soul.
To you, with the Father and the Son, be all glory forever. Amen.
Another prayer, which may also be said before a Confession
Help me, O Holy Spirit,
to make myself ready for the judgment of-the Son of Man.
I am full of darkness and full of sin,
but I have a great longing to be better than I am.
Through my own faithlessness
I am often overcome by temptation.
you are my strength against the tempter.
I fall when I forget you, O you Helper of my weakness.
I am blind and poor and weak in myself;
but you pourest on me the riches of grace
and makest me see what is right,
and givest me strength to do it.
Without you I can do nothing;
but with your help I can keep from sin,
and grow in grace and enter into life.
O ever-living Spirit, dear and precious,
make me more and more a child of the light,
that I may walk in that light and inherit the promises.
Keep always before my eyes
the judgment to which I must one day come.
you who didst come to the disciples at Ephesus,
by the hand of St. Paul,
come more and more to us, who are your Servants,
praying for your glory;
longing to love you more;
and longing to be more loved by you
Another prayer:
By you, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
I confess my sins,
and by you I am sorry for them.
When I look back and see the greatness of my sins,
the evil that I have done,
and the good that I have not done,
how thankless I have been and how wilful,
how I have hardened my heart to your voice
and blinded my eyes to your light,
my soul is overwhelmed with fear,
and cries out in pain.
But when I turn to you and rest on you,
amid the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus,
you give me great comfort
and much confidence in God and the fuljness of your peace.
Your peace is the peace of Jesus,
which the world can neither give nor take away.
Not as the world gives do you give that peace to me.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit,
to hate sin and to love justice according to your will.
Save me from the guilt of mortal sin;
and, if I fall, grant that I may always hasten to the Sacrament of Penance,
the fountain opened for the washing of the sinner.
Take away all the evil that is in me,
and make my soul bright with the brightness of the kingdom of God.
Let your light shine in my soul,
for by you, we are new-born in light.
Come, then, O Holy Spirit, come;
come, O come, Most Merciful Comforter:
come, Blessed Paraclete; come, Celestial Fire;
come, Purifier of sins, Healer of wounds;
come, Upholder of the falling, Lifter-up of the fallen,
come, Teacher of the humble, Destroyer of the proud;
come, Friend of the friendless, Hope of the hopeless, Consoler of the sorrowful, Haven of the weary, Physician of the sick;
come, glory of the living, only Salvation of the dying!
Come, O Thrice-Holy Spirit,
come, and have pity on me;
direct me and defend me;
strengthen me and comfort me;
confirm me, and gladden me;
mould me for yourself;
and having moulded me,
dwell in me forever;
and grant that my littleness may be acceptable to your Greatness,
my weakness to your Strength,
according to the multitude of your compassion;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who with the Father lives and reigns
in your Unity forever and ever. Amen.
ASPIRATIONS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Holy Spirit,
I long greatly to enter into that Home of God,
where you dwellest in your strength,
in your wisdom, and in your love.
There you are ever adored by Saints and Angels;
and there your Servants serve you
and see your face.
Everything is worthless but the possession of you
and the sight of your Godhead,
as you fillest all in all.
you are God over all, blessed forever more.
It is always a hidden joy in my soul that you are what you are.
I praise you and bless you for your great glory.
Bring me, O uncreated Love,
to the city on the heavenly Mount Sion,
from which they who enter go out no more.
PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF THE SPIRIT
O Spirit of love,
give me grace to know you better,
and to taste and see how sweet and how gracious you are.
The joy of the world is nothing;
and the pleasure of creatures is nothing;
the desire of the eyes is nothing;
but you are all in all,
and at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
With you is the joy which does not fade,
and the love which does not cease.
With you is the day of rest
that remains for the people of God.
With you is the fullness of happiness.
O Spirit of glory, let the thought of this be ever with me,
and let the hope of this be the day-star of my soul.
save me from evil and keep me from sin.
O Spirit of peace, my own Beloved,
I trust you and give myself to you.
you dost teach me;
for you are the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
whom the Father sent in the name of Jesus.
Another prayer:
O Holy Spirit,
Uncreated Love of the Ever-blessed Trinity,
you are living Water and living Fire.
Fill my heart with the streams of your grace,
and make it clean before you.
Fill my heart with the fire of your love,
and burn up all the dross in it,
that it may be bright in your eyes.
Lord Jesus, let your Holy Spirit
dwell ever more and more in my heart.
Another prayer:
O Holy Spirit, secretly and silently
you do your work in the heart.
With the Father and the Son you come to us,
and make your dwelling with us.
Help me to love Jesus,
that there may be always this dwelling of God in my soul.
Turn the wilderness of my soul into pools of water,
and the dry land of my spirit into springing wells.
You sow the fields, and plant the vineyards;
bless me, that I may yield fruit pleasing to you.
Make me wise, that I may keep your commandments,
and understand your mercies.
Strengthen my soul by the Word of the Lord,
for you are the Spirit of his mouth.
PRAYER FOR THE VICTORY OF THE GRACE OF THE SPIRIT
O Holy Spirit,
let the might of your love be more and more felt in the hearts of humankind.
Let your light shine more and more
on souls that are wandering in the darkness far away from God.
Turn them to the lightgiving Heart of Jesus
and to the healing streams of his Precious Blood.
Strengthen the souls that love you;
perfect in them your seven gifts and your twelve fruits;
and so make them your temples here
that you may be adored by them for ever.
The holy souls are your temples, gracious Spirit,
and you watch over them, and love them,
and help them in their pain.
The dimness of their dwelling place is an abode for you,
and the brightness of their souls is the kindling of your light.
Let them, beloved of God, taste and know the sweetness of your care
and the watchful tenderness of your love.
PRAYER TO THE SPIRIT IN CONNECTION WITH THE EUCHARISTIC SACRIFICE
O Holy Spirit,
by you Jesus offered himself as the spotless Victim to the Father.
Being anointed and sanctified in his manhood
by that substantial holiness which is the Word,
he was also anointed and sanctified by you, Eternal Spirit.
Being holy by the grace of union,
he was holy also by the created grace which you give.
His human nature is hypostatically united to the Word,
and it is also your Temple, O Spirit of promise.
Now the Sacrifice is offered on the Altar,
and this Jesus, whom we love, is the Lamb slain,
who dies no more.
We adore you, Father, and you, Son, and you, Holy Spirit,
in this mystery of Heaven.
We adore you, the One God, dwelling in the inaccessible light.
Towards that light our souls are lifted,
and in your love they are hidden, O Blessed Trinity.
Another prayer:
O Holy Spirit, loved and loving,
who overshadowed the Mother of God
in the splendor of the Incarnation,
overshadow now this Altar of Sacrifice,
and keep us in the light with you.
By you the spotless Victim is offered to God.
Your love and your wisdom and your might
are seen in these high places of the city of peace.
you bring to me the joys of the morning,
and the sweetness of the Garden of the King.
COME DOWN, O LOVE DIVINE
Come down, O Love Divine, seek Thou this soul of mine,
And visit it with Thine own ardor glowing.
O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn, til earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
Let holy charity mine outward vesture be,
And lowliness become mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part,
And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.
And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the power of human telling;
For none can guess its grace, till he become the place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling.
SPIRIT DIVINE, ATTEND OUR PRAYERS,
Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
and make this house thy home;
descend with all thy gracious powers,
O come, great Spirit, come!
Come as the light; to us reveal
our emptiness and woe,
and lead us in those paths of life
whereon the righteous go.
Come as the fire and purge our hearts
like sacrificial flame;
let our whole soul an offering be
to our Redeemer's Name.
Come as the dove, and spread thy wings,
the wings of peaceful love;
and let thy Church on earth become
blest as the Church above.
Come as the dew and sweetly bless
this consecrated hour;
may barrenness rejoice to own
thy fertilizing power.
Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
make a lost world thy home;
descend with all thy gracious powers;
O come, great Spirit, come!
TO THEE, O COMFORTER DIVINE,
To thee, O Comforter divine,
for all thy grace and power benign,
sing we alleluia!
To thee, whose faithful love had place
in God's great covenant of grace,
sing we alleluia!
To thee, whose faithful power doth heal,
enlighten, sanctify, and seal,
sing we alleluia!
To thee, our teacher and our friend,
our faithful leader to the end,
sing we alleluia!
To thee, by Jesus Christ sent down,
of all his gifts the sun and crown,
sing we alleluia!
O HOLY SPIRIT, LORD OF GRACE
O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace,
Eternal Fount of love,
Inflame, we pray, our inmost hearts
With fire from Heav’n above.
As Thou in bond of love dost join
The Father and the Son,
So fill us all with mutual love,
And knit our hearts in one.
All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run.
In the name of the Father, + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
An Act of Contrition: O my God, I am sorry that I have sinned against you because you are so good; with the help of your grace, I will sin no more.
HYMN
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
And in our hearts take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heav’nly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O Comforter, to Thee we cry,
Thou heav’nly gift of God most high,
Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love,
And sweet anointing from above.
O Finger of the hand divine,
The sevenfold gifts of grace are thine;
True promise of the Father thou,
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Thy light to every sense impart,
And shed thy love in every heart;
Thine own unfailing might supply
To strengthen our infirmity.
Drive far away our ghostly foe,
And thine abiding peace bestow;
If thou be our preventing Guide,
No evil can our steps betide.
Praise we the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit with them One;
And may the son on us bestow
The gifts that from the Spirit flow.
V. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
R. And kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
R. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
FIRST MYSTERY
Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary.
Meditation: The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. Therefore also the Holy One which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1, 35).
Application: Pray earnestly for the assistance of the Spirit of God and the intercession of Mary to imitate the virtues of Jesus Christ who is the pattern of every virtue, in order that you may be conformed to the image of the Son of God.
Pray the Our Father and Hail Mary once, and the Glory be to the Father seven times.
SECOND MYSTERY
The Spirit of the Lord rests upon Jesus.
Meditation: After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. (Matt. 3, 16).
Application: Hold in highest esteem the precious gift of sanctifying grace which was infused into your heart in Baptism by the Holy Spirit. Keep the promises to whose observance you then bound yourself. By continual exercise increase your faith, your hope and your charity. Ever live as becomes a child of God and a member of the true Church of God, so that after this life you may receive heaven as your inheritance.
Pray the Our Father and Hail Mary once, and the Glory be to the Father seven times.
THIRD MYSTERY
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert.
Meditation:Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1, 2).
Application: Be ever thankful for the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit given to you in Confirmation, for the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, and of the fear of the Lord. Faithfully obey your Divine Guide, so that you may act manfully in all the perils of this life and in all temptations, as becomes a perfect Christian and a strong athlete of Jesus Christ.
Pray the Our Father and Hail Mary once, and the Glory be to the Father seven times.
FOURTH MYSTERY
The Holy Spirit in the Church.
Meditation: And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim, of the mighty acts of God. (Acts 2: 2- 4, 11c).
Application: Give thanks to God that He has made you a child of His Church which is always enlivened and governed by his Divine Spirit, who was sent into the world on the day of Pentecost. Hear and follow the successors of the Apostles and the Church which is the pillar and ground of truth, guided infallibly by the Holy Spirit. Hold fast her doctrines, maintain her cause, defend her rights.
Pray the Our Father and Hail Mary once, and the Glory be to the Father seven times.
FIFTH MYSTERY
The Holy Spirit in the souls of the righteous.
Meditation: Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in you? (1 Cor. 6, 19). Do not extinguish the Spirit (1 Thess. 5, 19).
Application: Be ever mindful of the Holy Spirit who is in you, and make every effort to be pure in mind and body. Faithfully obey His Divine inspirations, that you may bring forth the fruits of the Spirit: which are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, longsuffering, meekness, faith, moderation, continence and chastity.
Pray the Our Father and Hail Mary once, and the Glory be to the Father seven times.
CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again
from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
An Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be may be offered for the intentions of the Pope.
