As Catholics we believe in a Trinitarian God, that is the Holy Trinity. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are the three persons in this One God. How often do we really pray to the Holy Spirit as Catholics? We don’t hear too much about this person of the Trinity, although we seem to seek a strong relationship with the Father and Son.
A strong relationship with the Holy Spirit is vital to our Catholic spirituality. So to help you foster a great relationship, I’ve included seven prayers to the Holy Spirit. Try some of these out and make a habit of praying to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
Come Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Let us pray
O God, Who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit,
we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Come Creator Spirit
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest!
And in our souls take up Your rest
Come, with Your grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which You have made.
Great Paraclete to You we cry:
O highest gift of God most high!
O fount of life! O fire of love!
And sweet Anointing from above!
You in Your sevenfold gifts are known;
You Finger of God’s hand we own;
The promise of the Father You!
Who does the tongue with pow’r endow.
Kindle our senses 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 Your true peace instead
So shall we not, with You for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
O, may Your grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And You through endless times confessed
Of Both the eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father, and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to You,
O Holy Spirit, eternally.
Come O Holy Spirit
Come, O Holy Spirit! Lord of light!
From Your clear celestial height
Your pure beaming radiance give:
Come, You Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, You Light of all that live!
You, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow;
You in toil are comfort sweet
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light immortal! Light Divine
Visit You these hearts of Yours,
And our inmost being fill:
If You take Your grace away,
Nothing pure will in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.
Heal our wounds – our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
You, on those who evermore
You confess and You adore,
In Your sevenfold gifts, descend:
Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with You on high;
Give them joys which never end.
St Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your holy gifts.
Let my weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day that I may fulfill the duties of my state in life conscientiously, that I may do what is right and just.
Let my charity be such as to offend no one and hurt no one’s feelings; so generous as to pardon sincerely any
wrong done to me.
Assist me in all the trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen my weakness,
help me in all needs and embarrassment, protect me in temptations and console me in all afflictions.
Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour your light into my heart, my soul and my mind.
Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace.
Amen
St Catherine of Siena’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear. Preserve me, O ineffable Love, from every evil thought; warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love, and every pain will seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all my actions. Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.
Student’s Prayer by St Thomas Aquinas
Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever.
Amen