We have traveled halfway through a week of prayers for our priests as we prepare for Pentecost (earlier prayers begin with our June 3 post). There is one prayer to be recited daily during the Novena and nine additional prayers. We will post these prayers each day as a reminder.

Fifth Day, June 7: The Gift of Knowledge

The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth – in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity and directs us to glorify him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesses it.”

Let us pray. Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, grant that we may perceive the will of the Father; show us the nothingness of earthly things; that we may realize their vanity and use them only for thy glory and our own salvation, looking ever beyond them to thee and thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (recited daily)

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, in our own times, the same Holy Spirit to our bishop and priests, that he may perfect in their souls the work of thy grace and thy love.

Grant them the Spirit of Wisdom that our priests may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten our priests’ minds with the light of thy divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel that our priests may ever choose the surest way to pleasing God and gaining heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude that our priests may bear their crosses with thee and that they may overcome with courage all the obstacles to salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge that our priests may know God and themselves and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety that our priests may find the service of God sweet and amiable; and the Spirit of Fear that our priests may be filled with a loving reverence toward God and may dread in any way to displease him. Mark our priests, dear Lord, with the sign of thy true disciples, and animate them in all things with thy Spirit. Amen.

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