# The chaplet of the Holy Spirit
*2017-02-17*

> Bill Young leads a special prayer session focusing on the Chaplet of the Holy Spirit to seek wisdom, knowledge, and renewal for the world.

## Invoking the Holy Spirit

Good morning. Today we are doing a special prayer: the Chaplet of the Holy Spirit. February is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, and we must remember that the Holy Spirit often doesn't get as much credit as the Father and the Son, though they are three persons in one God. We pray to the Holy Spirit for knowledge and wisdom; sometimes, when we feel a little wind, perhaps that is the Holy Spirit helping us.

The main part of this prayer asks the Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, to send His Spirit to renew the world. We need this renewal for our administration and the leaders of our country here in the U.S. May the Holy Spirit descend upon them and all of us.

## The Chaplet of the Holy Spirit

The Chaplet of the Holy Spirit was written by Blessed Elena Guerrini following the exhortation of Pope Leo XIII on May 5, 1895. 

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

We profess the Apostles' Creed: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and on the third day, He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## Petitions for the Seven Gifts

We now pray for the gifts of the Spirit, repeating the petition 'Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, send your Spirit to renew the world' seven times after each invocation:

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, may we be dedicated, detached from the things of this world, and filled with love and attraction for the things of heaven.

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, illuminate our minds with the light of eternal truth and enrich them with holy thoughts.

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, render us obedient to your inspiration and guide us on the way of salvation.

Come, O Spirit of Courage, give us strength and consistency and victory in the battles against our spiritual enemies.

Come, O Spirit of Knowledge, be the master of our souls and help us to put your teaching into practice.

Come, O Spirit of Reverence, come and dwell in our hearts so that we may possess and sanctify all our affections.

Come, O Spirit of Wonder, in God's presence reign over our will and grant that we may always be disposed to suffer rather than fall into sin.

## Praying for Our Nation

As we approach President's Day, it is a good time to offer extra prayers for our President. It has been a challenging first month in office. While there are things to work on, such as immigration, I believe he has nominated a good Supreme Court justice who will protect the unborn and help stop abortion.

Regarding immigration, my own grandparents came from Italy and landed at Ellis Island in the early 20th century. They came legally for opportunity, not for handouts. I pray for those who come here to work, to benefit our country, and to love this country as we do—not to abuse it or overtake our religious views. We believe in freedom of religion for all, and no one group should try to take over another.

## Praying for Our Enemies

God tells us to pray for our enemies. Let us pray for those who are demonstrating but may not know why they are doing so, and for those who wish to overthrow our government or who refuse to accept the president. Regardless of our opinions—and I believe he should spend less time on Twitter—he is the president for all of us, and we must pray for him.

*We are called to pray for the renewal of the world through the Holy Spirit and to extend those prayers even to our political enemies.*