One of the great Saints of our time is Pope John Paul II. We thank God for his life and his rich spiritual ministry. His parents are now on the road to Sainthood and we wish that process to be speedy and fruitful. He loved his parents very much and valued their sacrifice and witness to the Priesthood and to the Church.
John Paul’s father gave him tremendous support. Before becoming a priest, his father encouraged him in the world of prayer. John Paul, looking back on those amazing days, would go on to describe this time as “the first seminary”.
One prayer that stood out was a special prayer to the Holy Spirit. This prayer book on the Holy Spirit, he used throughout his life and also taught him the following prayer and encouraged his son to recite it daily:
Holy Spirit, I ask for the gift of Wisdom to better know You and Your divine perfection,
for the gift of Understanding to clearly discern the spirit of the mysteries of the holy faith,
for the gift of Counsel that I may live according to the principles of the faith,
for the gift of Knowledge that I may look for counsel in You and that I may always find it in You, for the gift of Fortitude that no fear or earthly preoccupations would ever separate me from You, for the gift of Piety that I may always serve your majesty with a filial love,
for the gift of Fear of the Lord, that I may dread sin which offends You, O my God.
Years later, (Saint) John Paul 11 would go so far as to attest that this very special prayer given to him by his father, Karol Snr. Was instrumental in his Encyclical Letter on the Holy Spirit; Dominium et Vivificantem.
This Thursday, seek Saint John Paul II’s intercession for you and your family and I encourage you to call on the Holy Spirit.
John Paul’s father gave him tremendous support. Before becoming a priest, his father encouraged him in the world of prayer. John Paul, looking back on those amazing days, would go on to describe this time as “the first seminary”.
One prayer that stood out was a special prayer to the Holy Spirit. This prayer book on the Holy Spirit, he used throughout his life and also taught him the following prayer and encouraged his son to recite it daily:
Holy Spirit, I ask for the gift of Wisdom to better know You and Your divine perfection,
for the gift of Understanding to clearly discern the spirit of the mysteries of the holy faith,
for the gift of Counsel that I may live according to the principles of the faith,
for the gift of Knowledge that I may look for counsel in You and that I may always find it in You, for the gift of Fortitude that no fear or earthly preoccupations would ever separate me from You, for the gift of Piety that I may always serve your majesty with a filial love,
for the gift of Fear of the Lord, that I may dread sin which offends You, O my God.
Years later, (Saint) John Paul 11 would go so far as to attest that this very special prayer given to him by his father, Karol Snr. Was instrumental in his Encyclical Letter on the Holy Spirit; Dominium et Vivificantem.
This Thursday, seek Saint John Paul II’s intercession for you and your family and I encourage you to call on the Holy Spirit.
RSS Feed