The Solemnity of Pentecost, May 28, 2023

The Solemnity of Pentecost, May 28, 2023

On this Solemnity of Pentecost, we pray “Come, Holy Spirit, Come” and ask the Father to shed a ray of divine light upon us in answer to our prayers.   

1. That the Holy Spirit will fill this entire church and come to rest on each of us, enabling us to proclaim the message that “Jesus is Lord” by our lives.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That we will embrace the spectrum of spiritual gifts, forms of service, and workings among individuals as different manifestations of the Spirit given for some benefit to all humanity.  We pray to the Lord.
3. That we will know and welcome the Holy Spirit who fills the hearts of all the faithful and kindles in us the fire of God’s love.  We pray to the Lord.
4. That we may not only speak but may also listen with respect so that we may better understand the needs of those with different languages, cultures, and backgrounds so that all may grow in faith.  We pray to the Lord.
5. That priests may be guided by the Holy Spirit as they celebrate the sacrament of penance and offer God’s forgiveness of sin to all they encounter.  We pray to the Lord.
6. That civilians in Sudan and Ukraine who bear the heavy burden of loss of life, separation from family, and wanton destruction of homes and cities will receive humanitarian aid and protection along with universal insistence on the end to all wars.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That students graduating from high school and college will be grateful for the knowledge they have obtained and be inspired to use that knowledge to build a thoughtful and compassionate world.  We pray to the Lord.
8. That as we celebrate Memorial Day, we will reflect with gratitude on the generosity of those we have known who gave their lives for our country and renew our efforts to be instruments of peace in all our interactions.  We pray to the Lord. 
9. That the culture of violence that is infecting the streets of our nation will come to an end through mutual respect and realization that those who died for us gave their lives so that we might have peace and freedom.  We pray to the Lord. 
10. That those suffering from cancer may receive healing and encouragement from their caregivers as they seek to be freed from this terrible scourge.  We pray to the Lord. 
11. That the stains of guilt may be washed away from those who have died so that they may receive virtue’s sure reward, the eternal joy of salvation.  We pray to the Lord. 

O God, on this day we celebrate the fact that your Holy Spirit is with us at all times to inspire us and guide us.  May we respond with love to the voice of that Spirit which speaks to us in answering our prayers which we offer through Christ our Lord. Amen.