Chapter of Vespers

Acts 2:1-2

When the day of Pentecost was fully come, the disciples were all with one accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

So grateful to the hard-working sacristan who tirelessly gives hours to prepare for liturgies. Sometimes it seems all the decorations of the Sanctuary descend from Heaven, as it should seem, BUT..sacristans go home at the end of the night physically and mentally drained. A good sacristan is able to pray during his work and recognizes for Whom he offers his work, and in his exhaustion at the end of such long days, he is spiritually edified, his work being unknown to most in and around the sanctuary, priests and faithful.

Let this be a point of examination for our own lives. We become so busy and neglect the true work of the spiritual life, of the sanctuary of our soul. Our hearts need to be ready for the sudden and rushing presence of Divine Love!

A blessed preparation for the Feast of Pentecost on this day of Vigil. This means busy days here in Rome, all of the liturgical preparations for the Pentecost Vigil, Pontifical Vespers and Confirmations with Archbishop Gänswein, and then the Sunday Mass tomorrow, in addition to the March for Life here in Rome concluding the Rome Life Forum organized by Voice of the Family. There truly are some exemplary and heroic Bishops, Priests, and lay faithful working hard during these difficult and confusing times.

I was happy to MC the Vigil of Pentecost this morning at Ss.ma Trinità dei Pellegrini this morning. We were joined by a choir of students from Thomas Aquinas College in California, called Floriani Schola. It was a treat to have a beautifully sung modern Mass setting combined with some influence of medieval harmony.

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration, may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be’s

Consecration to the Holy Ghost

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy justice,
and the might of Thy love.

Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee I live and move and have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness
and I pray with all my heart
to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.

Mercifully guard my every thought, word, deed and hope.
Grant that I may always watch for Thy light,
listen to Thy voice,
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.

I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee
and ask Thee, by Thy compassion,
to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus
and looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood,
adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.

Give me grace, O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,

“Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Ghost for His Gifts

O Lord Jesus Christ

Who, before ascending into heaven,

did promise to send the Holy Spirit

to finish Thy work

in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples,

deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me,

that He may perfect in my soul

the work of Thy grace and Thy love.

Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom

that I may despise the perishable things of this world

and aspire only after the things that are eternal,

the Spirit of Understanding

to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth,

the Spirit of Counsel

that I may ever choose the surest way

of pleasing God and gaining heaven,

the Spirit of Fortitude

that I may bear my cross with Thee

and that I may overcome with courage

all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,

the Spirit of Knowledge

that I may know God and know myself

and grow perfect in the science of the Saints,

the Spirit of Piety

that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable,

and the Spirit of Fear

that I may be filled with a loving reverence

towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.

Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples,

and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.

The audio of Cardinal Burke’s presentation at the Rome Life Forum organized by Voice of the Family on Restoring All Things in Christ:

Google Drive Link for the Audio File

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all passing joys and satisfactions of the earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be’s

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be’s

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be’s