In preparation for the Great Feast of Pentecost, my spiritual father graciously invited my family and I to pray a novena written by St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. I have found this short and simple prayer to be a rich source for contemplation, and thus am sharing it here-

Come, Holy Spirit! © SalveMaterDei.com 2017

A Pentecost Novena

“Who are you, sweet light, that fills me

And illumines the darkness of my heart?

You lead me like a mother’s hand;

And should you let go of me,

I would not know how to take another step

You are the space

That embraces my being and buries it in yourself.

You, nearer to me than I to myself

And more interior than my most interior:

Holy Spirit — eternal love!

Holy Spirit — eternal life!

Holy Spirit — ray that penetrates everything!

Holy Spirit — victorious power!

Holy Spirit — God’s molding hand!

Holy Spirit — Creator of all!

– St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (St. Edith Stein)

May these days of preparation open our hearts to the love of God, and prepare us to receive the abundant gifts and robust fruits of the Holy Spirit.