THE NOVENA:

Once again, we have entered those NINE DAYS (NOVENA) between the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, when we think of the apostles “together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”, waiting “in continuous prayer” for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Our Redemptorist Provincial, Fr Richard Reid, has reminded us of what a special time this was for our founder, Saint Alphonsus. So, may I propose that during these days, ALL OF US simply say several times each day: “COME HOLY SPIRIT.” Jesus promised that the Spirit would lead us to the truth. Amidst so much duplicity and deceit, especially among those entrusted with leadership in our world, we need to know the truth. Accordingly, we recall how Jesus responded to Thomas’s confusion about what way he was to follow: “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.” The Spirit leads us to Jesus, makes Jesus present for us. You know that I repeatedly ask you to think about the significance of the laying on of hands in the sacraments: the symbol that points to the descent of the Spirit, filling us with the life (the new resurrected life) of Christ. In recent times I have been able to share with you some powerful personal experiences of the providence of God, of the Spirit moving among us, strengthening us and comforting us. Let us pray that we will all experience an outpouring of the Spirit in these days. We all need strengthening, we all need comforting, we all need the peace that only comes when Jesus is truly living in us.

THE PRAYER:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.