How to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Spirit
The Chaplet of the Holy Ghost was
composed in 1892 by a Franciscan Capuchin missionary of the English
province in order to give the faithful an easy means of honoring the
Holy Ghost. It was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1902.
It is intended to be in regard to the Holy Ghost what the Dominican
Rosary is in regard to the Blessed Virgin.
This rosary consists of 5 groups of 7 beads each. Before and after each
group there are 2 large beads, that is, 12 large beads in all. In
addition there are 3 small beginning/ending beads.
On the three end beads,
make the sign of the Cross, recite an act of contrition and say or sing
the hymn
Come Holy Ghost.
On the 2 large beads, pray
1 Our Father and 1 Hail Mary
On each of the 7 small beads in the 5 groups, pray
1 Glory Be
On the remaining 2 large beads, pray
the Apostles Creed
and an Our Father and Hail Mary
for the intention of the Holy Father.
There is a mystery for each of the 5 groups; the number 5 commemorating
the Five Wounds of Jesus which are the fountains of grace which the Holy
Ghost imparts to all men. The reflections suggested are as follows:
THE FIRST MYSTERY: By the Holy Ghost is Jesus conceived of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
THE MEDITATION: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of
the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore also the Holy which
shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke, I, 35)
THE PRACTICE: Diligently implore the aid of the Divine Spirit, and
Mary's intercession, to imitate the virtues of Jesus Christ, Who is the
Model of virtues, so that you may be made comformable to the image of
the Son of God.
THE SECOND MYSTERY: The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus when he was
baptized.
THE MEDITATION: "Jesus, being baptized, forthwith came out of the water:
and lo! the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending as a dove, and coming upon Him." (Matthew, III, 16)
THE PRACTICE: Hold in the highest esteem the priceless gift of
sanctifying grace, infused into your soul by the Holy Ghost in Baptism.
Keep the promises to which you then pledged yourself. Increase, by
constant practice, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Ever live as becometh
children of God and members of God's true Church, so as to obtain,
hereafter, the inheritance of heaven.
THE THIRD MYSTERY: By the Spirit is Jesus led into the desert to be
tempted by the Devil.
THE MEDITATION: "Jesus, being full of the Holy ghost, returned from the
Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert for the space of forty
days; and was tempted by the devil." (Luke, IV, 1-2)
THE PRACTICE: Be ever grateful for the sevenfold gift of the Holy Ghost
bestowed upon you in Confirmation, for the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, and of
the fear of the Lord. Faithfully yield to His Divine guidance, so that,
in all the trials and temptations of life, you may act manfully, as
becometh a perfect Christian and valiant soldier of Jesus Christ.
THE FOURTH MYSTERY: The Holy Ghost in the Church.
THE MEDITATION: "Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty
wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting...
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak ...
the wonderful works of God." (Acts, II, 2, 4, 11.)
THE PRACTICE: Thank God for having made you a child of His Church which
is ever animated and directed by the Divine Spirit, sent into this world
for that purpose of the day of Pentecost. Hear and obey the Holy See,
the infallible mouthpiece of the Holy Ghost, and the Church, the pillar
and ground of truth. Uphold her doctrines, seek her interests, defend
her rights.
THE FIFTH MYSTERY: The Holy Ghost in the soul of the just man and just
woman.
THE MEDITATION: "Know you not that you members are the temple of the
Holy Ghost, Who is in you?" (I Cor., VI, 19.) "Extinguish not the
Spirit." (I Thess., V, 19.)
"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the
day of redemption." (Eph., IV, 30.)
THE PRACTICE: Be ever mindful of the Holy Ghost Who is within you, and
carefully cultivate purity of soul and body. Faithfully obey His Divine
Inspirations so that you may bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit --
Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Benignity, Goodness, Long-suffering,
Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continency, Chastity.
Conclude with the "I believe" as a profession of faith.
On the three end beads, pray
1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory Be,
for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff. |
