Daily Devotion Thursday 29th April 2021 The Holy Spirit

Name: Daily Devotion Thursday 29th April 2021 The Holy Spirit
Start: 2021-04-29T00:00:00+01:00
End: 2021-04-29T23:59:59+01:00
Location: St Swithun’s Church

Apr 29

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Month of The Holy Spirit

The month of April is dedicated to the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit and the Holy Eucharist are both at the heart of what being Catholic is all about. We believe in the Holy Spirit and the transformation of bread into the Body of Christ. There are many symbols used to represent the Holy Spirit, but the two most notable are fire and the dove. Fire is cleansing. Where there is fire, something imperfect is destroyed and something new arises. It indicates an intense and powerful energy capable of transforming the soul. The dove on the other hand, is used repeatedly to signal the touch of the invisible omnipresent God …
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Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest)

One of the most widely used hymns in the Church, Veni, Creator Spiritus, is attributed to Rabanus Maurus; (776-856). It is used at Vespers, Pentecost, Dedication of a Church, Confirmation, and Holy Orders and whenever the Holy Spirit is solemnly invoked. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost. 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, …
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Signs and Symbols

The signs and symbols used in the Church’s liturgy provide us with a great opportunity for reflection. These simple elements of everyday life invite us to reflect on the mystery of our faith. Most of them are also found in our own homes: oil, bread, light, water, wine, and white clothing. They are simple, basic and very accessible to us. These simple elements of everyday life invite us to reflect on the mystery of our faith. We need symbols that speak to us of the sacred. In our present age we are confronted with so many flashing images and shrill …
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The Holy Spirit and the Holy Eucharist

Download Daily Devotions for April 2021 – Month of the Holy Spirit and The Eucharist

Parish Devotions this month

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions April 2021 – Fundamental rights

Universal intention – Fundamental rights We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis. Reflection: The first chapter of the book of Genesis tells us that humanity was created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:26-27). This phrase still echoes with fundamental importance for our world today, because the image of God in us is our source of human dignity. While we would hope that thousands of years after these verses were written for us, the human family might have established a greater mutual respect for … Read more here

Name and Titles of the Holy Spirit

The Proper Name of the Holy Spirit “Holy Spirit” is the proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children. The term “Spirit” translates the Hebrew word ruah, which in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind. Jesus indeed uses the sensory image of the wind to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of him who is personally God’s breath, the divine Spirit. On the other hand, “Spirit” and “Holy” are divine attributes common …
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Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Water. The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in Baptism. Anointing. The symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit, to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy Spirit. Fire. While water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, fire symbolises the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions. Cloud and light. These two images occur together in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The seal is a symbol close to that of anointing. “The Father has set his seal” on Christ and also seals us in him. The …
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The Holy Spirit and Our Spiritual Life

Everything depends on the Holy Spirit’s operation in us. The more fully we allow ourselves to be drawn and guided by the Holy Spirit, the closer we shall come to Jesus and His mysteries and graces. The Holy Spirit must draw us to every good thought, word and deed. Every act of faith, of hope and of love for God requires the inspiration and help of the Holy Spirit. If our virtues and our deeds are to be truly perfect and worthy of God, they need the special and continual touch of the Holy Spirit. Even though we are endowed …
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rosary Opening Prayers

Start by making the sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” …

Then recite the Apostle’s Creed:

” I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there He will come 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.” …

Then say 1 Our Father:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.” …

Then say 3 Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity):

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.” …

Then say 1 Glory Be:

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.” …

After each decade the Fatima Prayer may also be said (Pope Pius XII):

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.” …

Prayer to my Guardian Angel:

Angel of God’s light, whom God sends as a companion for me on earth, protect me from the snares of the devil, and help me to walk always as a child of God, my Creator. Angel of God’s truth, whose perfect knowledge serves what is true, protect me from deceits and temptations. Help me to know the truth, and always to live the truth. Angel of God’s love, who praises Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who sacrificed His life for love of us, sustain me as I learn the ways of Divine love, of sacrificial generosity, of meekness and lowliness of heart. Thank You, my heavenly friend, for your watchful care. At the moment of my death, bring me to heaven, where the one true God, Who is light, Truth and Love, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. …

mysteries-of-the-rosary-header The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries


The Annunciation	The Visitation	The Nativity	The Presentation	The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries


The Baptism in the Jordan	The Wedding at Cana	Proclamation of the Kingdom	The Transfiguration	Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries


The Agony in the Garden	The Scourging at the Pillar	The Crowning with Thorns	The Carrying of the Cross	The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries


The Resurrection	The Ascension	The Descent of the Holy Spirit	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Concluding Prayers

Concluding Prayers

After the completion of five mysteries (5 decades), the following is customarily said:

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!”

V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY (Closing Prayer):

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Additional Prayers by Day

THURSDAYS

The Litany for Holy Communion

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,Have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, living Bread which came down from Heaven, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Bread from Heaven giving life to the world, Have mercy on us. Jesus, hidden God and Saviour, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who has loved us with an everlasting love, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Whose delights are to be with the children of men, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who has given Thy Flesh for the life of the world, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who invites all to come to Thee, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who promises eternal life to those who receive Thee, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who with desire desires to eat this Pasch with us, Have mercy on us. Jesus, ever ready to receive and welcome us, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who stands at our door knocking, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who has said that if we will open to Thee the door, Have mercy on us.

Thou wilt come in and sup with us, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who receives us into Thy arms and blesses us with the little children, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who suffers us to sit at Thy feet with Magdalen, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who invites us to lean on Thy bosom with the beloved disciple, Have mercy on us. Jesus, Who has not left us orphans, Have mercy on us.

Most dear Sacrament, Sacrament of love, Sacrament of sweetness, Life-giving Sacrament, Sacrament of strength, My God and my all,

That our hearts may pant after Thee as the hart after the fountains of water, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst manifest Thyself to us as to the two disciples in the breaking of bread, we beseech Thee, hear us. That we may know Thy voice like Magdalen, we beseech Thee, hear us. That with a lively faith we may confess with the beloved disciple, “It is the Lord,” we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst bless us who have not seen and yet have believed, we beseech Thee, hear us. That the fruit of each Communion may be fresh love, we beseech Thee, hear us. That we may love Thee in the Blessed Sacrament with our whole heart, with our whole soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength, we beseech Thee, hear us. That our one desire may be to love Thee and to do Thy will, we beseech Thee, hear us. That we may ever remain in Thy love, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst teach us how to receive and welcome Thee, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst teach us to pray, and Thyself pray within us, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That with Thee every virtue may come into our souls, we beseech Thee, hear us. That throughout this day Thou wouldst keep us closely united to Thee, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst give us grace to persevere to the end, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst then be our support and Viaticum, we beseech Thee, hear us. That with Thee and leaning on Thee we may safely pass through all dangers, we beseech Thee, hear us. That our last act may be one of perfect love and our last breath a long deep sigh to be in Our Father’s house, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thy sweet face may smile upon us when we appear before Thee, we beseech Thee, hear us. That our banishment from Thee, dearest Lord, may not be very long, we beseech Thee, hear us. That when the time is come, we may fly up from our prison to Thee, and in Thy Sacred Heart find our rest forever,we beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. V. Stay with us, Lord, because it is toward evening, R. And the day is now far spent.

Let Us Pray: We come to Thee, dear Lord, with the Apostles, saying, “Increase our faith.” Give us a strong and lively faith in the mystery of Thy Real Presence in the midst of us. Give us the splendid faith of the centurion, which drew from Thee such praise. Give us the faith of the beloved disciple to know Thee in the dark and say, “It is the Lord!” Give us the faith of Martha to confess, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Give us the faith of Magdalen to fall at Thy feet crying, “Rabboni, Master.” Give us the faith of all Thy Saints, to whom the Blessed Sacrament has been Heaven begun on earth. In every Communion increase our faith; for with faith, love and humility and reverence and all good will come into our souls. Dearest Lord, increase our faith. R. Amen.

Additional Prayers

Stained glass depicting the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for England:

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy “Dowry” and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in you. By you it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given you to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us your children, whom you did receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly Hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Mother Teresa’S Prayer for Priests:

Mary, Mother of Jesus,
throw your mantle of purity over our priests.
Protect them, guide them, and keep them in your heart.
Be a Mother to them,
especially in times of discouragement and loneliness.
Love them and keep them belonging completely to Jesus.
Like Jesus, they, too, are your sons,
so keep their hearts pure and virginal.
Keep their minds filled with Jesus,
and put Jesus always on their lips,
so that he is the one they offer to sinners and to all they meet.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, be their Mother,
loving them and bring them joy.
Take special care of sick and dying priests,
and the ones most tempted.
Remember how they spent their youth and old age,
their entire lives serving and giving all to Jesus.
Mary, bless them and keep a special place for them in your heart.
Give them a piece of your heart,
so beautiful and pure and immaculate,
so full of love and humility,
so that they, too, can grow in the likeness of Christ.
Dear Mary, make them humble like you, and holy like Jesus. Amen.

Prayer to my Guardian Angel:

Angel of God’s light, whom God sends as a companion for me on earth, protect me from the snares of the devil, and help me to walk always as a child of God, my Creator.
Angel of God’s truth, whose perfect knowledge serves what is true, protect me from deceits and temptations. Help me to know the truth, and always to live the truth.
Angel of God’s love, who praises Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who sacrificed His life for love of us, sustain me as I learn the ways of Divine love, of sacrificial generosity, of meekness and lowliness of heart.
Thank You, my heavenly friend, for your watchful care. At the moment of my death, bring me to heaven, where the one true God, Who is light, Truth and Love, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

O salutáris hôstia:

O salutáris hôstia
Quae caeli pandis óstium
Bella premunt hostilia
Da robur, fer uxilum

Uni Trinóque Domino
Sit sempitérna gloria
Qui vitam sine término
Nobis donet in pátria.

Tantum ergo Sacraméntum
Venerémur cérnui:
Et antiquum documéntum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides suppleméntum
Sénsuum deféctui.

Genitori, Genitoque,
Laus et jubilatio.
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio;
Procedénti ab utroque;
Compar sit laudátio.

You have given your people bread from heaven.
The bread which is full of all goodness.

Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful sacrament has left us a memorial of your passion,
Help us so to reverence the sacred mysteries of your body and blood that we may always experience in our lives the effects of your redemption.
Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

The Divine Praises:

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints