The First Day
Veni, sancte Spiritus
Et emitte coelitus
Lucis tuae radium.
Come Holy Spirit,
and send forth from heaven
the ray of Thy light.
Meditation for the First Day
“The Holy Ghost”
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 Ghost 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.”
Prayers for the First Day
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us Thy 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
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thou justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou are the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee i live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee, by Thy 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 Thee, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy 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 Thy 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 Thee 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; 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 Thy true disciples and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
The Second Day
Veni, pater pauperum,
Veni, dator munerum;
Veni, lumen cordium
Come, Father of the poor;
Come, giver of gifts;
Come, light of hearts.
Meditation for the Second Day
“The Gift of Fear”
The 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.”
Prayers for the Second Day
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 Thee; and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Third Day
Consolator optime,
Dulcis hospes animae,
Dulce refrigerium.
Thou best consoler,
Sweet guest of the soul,
Sweet coolness.
Meditation for the Third Day
“The Gift of Piety”
The 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.
Prayers for the Third Day
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, which I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Fourth Day
In labore requies,
In aestu temperies,
In fletu solatium.
In labor, rest;
In heat, refreshment;
In tears, solace.
Meditation for the Fourth Day
“The 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.”
Prayers for the Fourth Day
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
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Fifth Day
O lux beatissima,
Reple cordis intima,
Tuorum fidelium.
O most blessed Light,
Fill thou the inmost recesses
Of the hearts of Thy faithful.
Meditation for the Fifth Day
“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.”
Prayers for the Fifth Day
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
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Sixth Day
Sine tuo numine,
Nihil est in homine,
Nihil est innoxium.
Without Thy divine assistance
There is nothing in man,
Nothing harmless.
Meditation for the Sixth Day
“The Gift of Understanding”
Understanding, as a Gift of the Holy Ghost, 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.”
Prayers for the Sixth Day
Come, 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
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Seventh Day
Lava quod est sordidum,
Riga quod est aridum
Sana quod est saucium.
Cleanse what is base,
Bedew what is parched,
Heal what is wounded.
Meditation for the Seventh Day
“The Gift of Counsel”
The Gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must 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 Catholic 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.”
Prayers for the Seventh Day
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. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Eighth Day
Flecte quod est rigidum,
Fove quod est frigidum,
Rege quod est devium.
Bend what is rigid,
Warm what is chilled,
Guide what is astry.
Meditation for the Eighth Day
“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 Savior: “Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.”
Prayers for the Eighth Day
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
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Ninth Day
Da tuis fidelibus, in te confident/bus,
Sacrum septenarium.
Da virtutis meritum, Da salutis exitum,
Da perenne gaudium. Amen.
Give to Thy faithful confiding in Thee
Thy sevenfold gifts.
Give them the reward of virtue; Give them a happy death;
Give them eternal joy. Amen.
Meditation for the Ninth Day
“The Fruits of the Holy Ghost”
The Gifts of the Holy Ghost 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 Ghost, 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 Ghost. 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 for the Ninth Day
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
Hail Mary
Glory be, (seven times)
Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost