Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
Week Two Intention
We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families.
Week Two // Day Five
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
In every Missionaries of Charity chapel, the words “I Thirst” are found next to the crucifix. These two words—some of the last cried out by our Savior on the Cross—hold a deeply profound meaning. St. Teresa of Calcutta, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, wrote:
Why does Jesus say ‘I Thirst’? What does it mean? He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy. When not accepted by others, even by yourself sometimes—He is the one who always accepts you. The devil may try to use the hurts of life, and sometimes our own mistakes—to make you feel it is impossible that Jesus really loves you, is really cleaving to you. This is a danger for all of us. And so sad, because it is completely opposite of what Jesus is really wanting, waiting to tell you. Not only that He loves you, but even more—He longs for you. He misses you when you don’t come close.
The Holy Spirit offers us incredible strength to fight our battles. The Holy Spirit has power to drive away the “foe we dread,” the devil. The Holy Spirit desires to fill us with His gift of peace.
Do not be afraid to call upon the Holy Spirit, just as Christ called for us upon the Cross. When we are afraid, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” When we are tempted, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” When we are lonely, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” When we are ashamed of our sin, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!”
The Most Holy Trinity desires you, thirsts for you, longs for you. Let us always trust in the reality and promise that, “The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).
Pick a day this month to go to Confession. Write it in your planner and try your best not to miss this date with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you as you prepare to make your Confession and to intercede for you as you confess.
Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners
Reflect upon what you thirst for the most in your life. Is it a person? Is it God? Is it Heaven? Is it a possession? Is it popularity or fame? Pray together, asking the Holy Spirit to purify your intentions and desires, asking Him to fulfill your thirsts in life with His love and peace.
Claire Couche is a wife, etiquette instructor, blogger, homeschooling mother, and registered nurse. She is passionate about sharing content that helps her community live a beautiful and virtuous life. Using her degrees in theology and history, Claire shares about the Catholic faith often on her IG account @findingphilothea and her website, Finding Philothea. You can often find her reading a good book in a beautiful dress! Learn more about Claire and all things etiquette here.
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