Holy Spirit Prayer
Prayers to the Holy Spirit are among the most ancient in the Catholic tradition. The Holy Spirit — the third Person of the Trinity, the Lord and Giver of Life — is invoked before important decisions, before prayer, before study, and whenever wisdom, courage, or consolation is needed.
About Prayer to the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete — the Advocate, the Comforter, the Helper — promised by Jesus before his Ascension (John 14:16-17). The Spirit descended on the Apostles and Mary at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and dwells in the heart of every baptized Catholic. Prayer to the Holy Spirit asks him to do what he came to do: to teach, to guide, to console, to strengthen, and to make the faithful holy.
The Come Holy Spirit prayer (Veni Sancte Spiritus) has been prayed by the Church since at least the early medieval period and is the sequence prayer for Pentecost Sunday. It is one of the most beautiful and theologically rich of all Catholic prayers.
When to Pray to the Holy Spirit
Before any important decision or discernment. Before reading Scripture or studying theology. Before prayer itself — asking the Spirit to teach you to pray. Before Confession, before Mass, and whenever you feel spiritually dry, discouraged, or without wisdom.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit
we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolations.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Traditional Catholic prayer. Medieval form. Public domain.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity — co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is the Lord and Giver of Life, the Advocate and Comforter promised by Jesus (John 14:16-17), who descended on the Apostles and Mary at Pentecost. He dwells in every baptized Catholic.
- When should I pray to the Holy Spirit?
- Before any important decision or discernment, before reading Scripture, before prayer itself, before Confession and Mass, and whenever you feel spiritually dry or lacking in wisdom or courage. The Church traditionally begins any serious spiritual undertaking with a prayer to the Holy Spirit.
- What is the Come Holy Spirit prayer?
- The Come Holy Spirit prayer (Veni Sancte Spiritus) is a traditional Catholic prayer invoking the Holy Spirit that has been prayed by the Church since the early medieval period. A related hymn is the sequence prayer sung on Pentecost Sunday. Both ask the Spirit for wisdom, consolation, and the renewal of the faithful.
- Is there a Holy Spirit prayer in Spanish?
- Yes. The Spanish form begins Ven, Espíritu Santo, llena los corazones de tus fieles... Use the EN/ES toggle on this page to switch between English and Spanish.
- What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
- The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They are given at Baptism and strengthened at Confirmation. The prayer to the Holy Spirit asks him to activate these gifts in the believer.
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