# Abandonment and Trust: Day 8 of the Our Lady of Lourdes Novena
*2017-02-09*

> Bill Young leads the eighth day of the Our Lady of Lourdes novena, praying a heartfelt abandonment to the Holy Spirit and reciting the traditional litany, while reflecting on the example of Saints Scholastica and Benedict.

## Opening Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Bill begins with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help us grow in trust and abandonment. He invokes the Spirit as the source of knowledge, wisdom, and love, and offers himself completely to God's will, asking that the Spirit pour out the gifts He wishes to give.

## The Litany of Our Lady of Lourdes

Bill recites the traditional litany, recalling the 1854 proclamation of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX and the 1858 apparition of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes. He petitions Mary under many titles—Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the Divine Savior, dispenser of gifts, comfort of the afflicted, advocate of souls in purgatory, and more—asking for her intercession.

## The Apostles’ Creed and Thanksgiving

After the litany, Bill prays the Apostles’ Creed, affirming the core tenets of the Catholic faith. He then thanks the Lord for the graces poured out on His people and asks that the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes may help us love and serve Him more fully.

## Petitions for Clergy, Holy Souls, and the Faithful

Bill lifts up the clergy, especially priests, and remembers those who have died, praying that Mass be offered for the souls in purgatory. He also prays for the sisters, brothers, and lay faithful, invoking the Holy Mother’s aid for sinners at the hour of death.

## Hail Mary Repetitions and Closing Blessing

Three Hail Marys are recited, each invoking Mary’s grace and asking her to pray for sinners. Bill concludes by blessing the listeners, encouraging them to continue their dedication to the Holy Spirit and to trust in His perfect plan.

*Abandoning ourselves to the Holy Spirit, as Mary and the saints model, frees us to receive God’s good will.*