This is day #4 for praying the Pentecost Novena for our bishops and priests. (Please click here to learn more about the novena.)

Fourth Day, June 6: The Gift of Fortitude

By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy, which move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.”

Let us pray. Come, O blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold our souls in time of trouble and adversity, sustain our efforts after holiness, strengthen our weaknesses, give us courage against all the assaults of our enemies, that we may never by overcome and separated from Thee, our God and greatest good. Amen.

Pray the Our Father once, the Hail Mary once and the Glory Be seven times; then pray the Prayer of the the Seven Gifts (below).

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.