As proposed by
Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.CC.
Homage of Adoration to the Paraclete
in Honor of his Seven Gifts.
It is sad to realize and indeed only too true, that the Holy Spirit does not play a prominent role in the spiritual life of most Christians. Those who have a genuine devotion to Him are few and far between.
This is, undoubtedly, a great defect in our spiritual life. We are thereby deficient in understanding and holiness.
Let us react! It is never too late . . . Here is a practical suggestion, yet beautiful, to honor the Holy Spirit and draw His sevenfold gifts upon us.
In the very first place, let us endeavor to spread this strong and doctrinal devotion, love of the paraclete, suitable to the highest spiritual aspirations of the best among our Catholic people.
We suggest that you form a praiseworthy habit of reciting this Chaplet as a homage to the Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind!
Come, inflame my heart!
Method of Reciting the Chaplet
1. Take your beads (the Blessed Virgin rosary) and recite the Apostles' Creed.
2. After the Creed, very slowly and devoutly the Glory be to the Father.
3. Then say the Our Father.
4. Now, very fervently, say this ejaculation: "Father, Father, send us the promised Paraclete, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
5. Now on each bead, instead of the Hail Mary, say with a burning heart: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love."
6. After the tenth bead recite the following prayer:
Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let Us Pray
O God, who didst instruct the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to be truly wise and evermore to rejoice in His Consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
7. The recite the second decade and all the others in the same way as explained. (beginning at 3): "Our Father . . ."
8. After the sventh and last decade, recite the "Hail Holy Queen" in honor of the Blessed Virgin, our Heavenly Queen, who presided in the Cenacle on the great Sunday of Pentecost.
Suggested Reflections
A few short reflections may be made on the seven glorious mysteries relating to the seven wonderful operations of the Paraclete. These meditations should be made briefly, between each decade.
1st Mystery: Let us honor the Holy Spirit and adore Him who is Substantial Love, proceeding from the Father and the Son, and uniting Them in infinite and eternal love.
2nd Mystery: Let us honor the operation of the Holy Spirit and adore Him in the Immaculate Conception of Mary, sanctifying her, from the first moment with the fulness of grace.
3rd Mystery: Let us honor the operation of the Holy Spirit and adore Him in the Incarnation of the Word, the son of God by His Divine nature, and the Son of the Virgin by the flesh.
4th Mystery: Let us honor the operation of the Holy Spirit and adore Him in the formation of the Church on the glorious day of Pentecost.
5th Mystery: Let us honor the operation of the Holy Spirit and adore Him dwelling in the Church and assisting her faithfully according to the Divine promise, even to the consummation of the world.
6th Mystery: Let us honor the wonderful operation of the Holy Spirit within the Church creating other Christs, the Priests, and bestowing the fulness of the Priesthood on the bishops.
7th Mystery: Let us honor the operation of the Holy Spirit, the adorable Sanctifier and adore Him in His hidden and marvelous work of the formation of the saints in the Church.
Practices
Recite the Little Chaplet of the Holy Spirit often, especialy on Sundays, even every day.
Recite it: when some important decision must be made and when special help is needed; every day during recollections and retreats; as a preparation for the Feast of the Pentecost.
This simple and beautiful Chaplet must become a familiar practice and one of our great Catholic devotions: We must have enlightened piety. The Blessed Virgin, Queen of the Apostles and of the Cenacle, will bless you. You will thus win her Heart "full of grace", for she is the masterpiece of the Holy Spirit's operation. In your devotions, always keep in mind the essential. The first of all devotions must be to the Blessed Trinity, which of necessity includes the Holy Spirit.
Imprimatur: Dec. 31, 1956
SAMUEL CARDINAL STRITCH, D.D.
Archbihop of Chicago
Sacred Heart Archdiocesan Center
110 W. Madison St., Chicago 2, Ill.
