# A Novena to the Holy Spirit
*2017-02-12*

> Bill Young shares the story of Saint Giles Mary of St. Joseph, recounts a recent service experience, and leads listeners through a nine‑day novena to the Holy Spirit with prayers, reflections, and a litany.

## Saint Giles Mary of St. Joseph

Today is February 13, the feast of Saint Giles Mary of St. Joseph. He was born on November 16, 1729 and died on February 7, 1812. Though sometimes described as a 15th‑century figure, he actually lived in the 18th and early 19th centuries in Naples, Italy. Saint Giles devoted his life to humble service—cleaning, feeding the poor, and living simply. He reminds us that God does not require great deeds, only love.

## A Recent Service Experience

On Sunday I visited a ministry called St. John Grande in Davie, Florida. We held a spaghetti dinner and sold boxes of food for the hungry. At first no one bought a box, but after I prayed for the Holy Spirit’s help, the boxes began to sell. That experience let me feel the humility of Saint Giles and deepened my gratitude for the Spirit’s presence.

## The Novena to the Holy Spirit

The novena is to be prayed for nine consecutive days without interruption; if a day is missed, one must start over from the beginning. Each day we invoke the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and ask for grace through the Spirit’s intercession.

O God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed follows, affirming our belief in the Holy Trinity, the incarnation, the Passion, the Resurrection, and the life everlasting.

## Personal Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, gift of God, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your presence. You fill my soul with peace like flood‑waters, and your beauty surpasses all imagination. Grant me wisdom, reverence, and the fruits of the Spirit so that my interior life may be wholly obedient to you.

Lord, make me holy, not for my own glory but to bring glory to the Trinity. Strengthen my desire for holiness, give me courage to bear witness, and inspire me to defend the Church with zeal.

Spirit of light, dispel the shadows of error from my mind; cleanse me of every stain and renew me in the fire of your love. May I always remain faithful to the truth of the Church and bear the gifts of the Holy Spirit in my daily life.

## Litany of the Holy Spirit

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Father Almighty, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wonder and awe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, sanctify us, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, governor of the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God, most high, have mercy on us.
Spirit who fills the universe, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, inspire us with your love, renew the face of the earth, and inflame our hearts with your fire.

*May the Holy Spirit fill us with humility, courage, and love as we walk the path of holiness.*