A Newsletter for Radio Maria USA -- National Volume 6, Number 3 Radio Maria USA May, 2013 Come, Holy Spirit! Dear Radio Maria Family: Greetings and peace to all of you in this month of Our Lady! We are delighted to bring you this monthly newsletter as part of our mission to be the Voice of Mary-- proclaiming the resurrection and reign of Her Son. In this month we celebrate three Solemnities: The Ascension, Pentecost, and The Holy Trinity. To commemorate this glorious month of feasts, we have included a novena to Our Lady of Fatima and to the Holy Spirit. We will be praying both novenas on the air during this month (see novena sheet for dates). As we honor Mary, we cannot fail to honor her as Mother of the Lord and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. True devotion to Mary can only lead us to deeper union with Her Son and with her Divine Spouse. And They can only bring us back to the Eternal Father, the Source of all Life human and Divine. We will spend all of eternity adoring and celebrating these great Mysteries of our faith. But it is on earth that we come to KNOW and LOVE these Mysteries. It is our earnest hope and intention that this Universal Instrument of the New Evangelization called Radio Maria is helping you to do just that. Please let us hear from you: We need your feedback -- your prayer intentions, and your suggestions in order to make Our Lady s Radio an even better instrument to proclaim the Good News. Mary has entrusted this mission to you and to us. We don t want to let her down. Without you and your prayer-- your service-- and your generosity, this mission cannot grow in the US. May Mary, whom we honor under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, help all of us, her children, to be more courageous and faithful to the call of Her Son and to the work the Holy Spirit wishes to accomplish through us for the coming of God s Kingdom and the glory of the Eternal Father. We wish you every blessing and grace of this holy month of Feasts in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Viva Maria! Viva La Santissima Trinita! Fr. Robert Young, O.F.M. Program Director, Radio Maria US Monthly Messages from Our Lady March 25, 2013 Message to Marija Pavlovic Dear children! In this time of grace I call you to take the cross of my beloved Son Jesus in your hands and to meditate on His passion and death. May your suffering be united in His suffering and love will win, because He who is love gave Himself out of love to save each of you. Pray, pray, pray until love and peace begin to reign in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call. April 25, 2013 Message to Marija Pavlovic Dear children! Pray, pray, keep praying until your heart opens in faith as a flower opens to the warm rays of the sun. This is a time of grace which God gives you through my presence but you are far from my heart, therefore, I call you to personal conversion and to family prayer. May Sacred Scripture always be an incentive for you. I bless you all with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call. Board of Directors Mr. Carlo DiMaggio.............................................. President Fr. Robert Young, O.F.M........................................... Director Alicia del Cid............................................ World Family Rep Dr. Florinda Iannace............................................. Secretary Mary Pyper..................................................... Treasurer 601 Washington Street Alexandria, LA 71301 e-mail: info.usa@radiomaria.us Toll Free: 888-408-0201
Regional News Briefs New volunteers in Springfield, OH Welcome to Springfield, Ohio s (1600 AM) newest volunteers Ned Hune, Steve Mapes, Kelly Kavanaugh, and Fr. Ed Gearhart (pastor), all from St. Teresa of the Child Jesus in Springfield. These newest volunteers joined veteran Radio Maria volunteers Patrick Gnau and Alicia Risko to broadcast Holy Mass from St. Teresa on April 21. Steve Mapes has been a listener of Radio Maria since before the Springfield station went on the air and has quite a story to share. Several years ago my job required me to drive 2 1/2 hours very early in the morning once a week, said Steve. The only thing that kept me awake when driving was praying the Rosary while listening to Radio Maria on 88.7 FM from Anna, OH. That began a great habit. Now when my wife and I drive to family, friends or long distance shopping, we try to pray the Rosary with Radio Maria. Anyone interested in volunteering for Radio Maria in the Springfield, OH area, please call 937-314-1856 (local call). Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/am1600. ANNA, OH 88.7 FM hosted their most successful Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser ever on Sunday, April 14 netting more than $1,800! More than 300 hungry listeners turned out to support their local Radio Maria station, WHJM 88.7 FM. at the KC St. John Hall. Everyone enjoyed the food, especially the desserts brought by the local volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering in the Anna, OH area, please call 419-628-8870. SPRINGFIELD OH 1600 AM is happy to welcome its newest volunteers, (from left) Ned Hune, Steve Mapes, Kelly Kavanaugh, and Fr. Ed Gearhart (pastor) all from St. Teresa of the Child Jesus in Springfield. Alexandria station to crown Mary The family of Radio Maria in the Alexandria studio will be crowning Our Mother, Mary on Thursday, May 2 at the Radio Maria studio at 601 Washington St, in Alexandria. Father Robert Young, national priest director, will be broadcasting the event live at 9 a.m. Listeners are invited to tune in at this time. Local listeners are invited to come to the studio, to bring a flower to present to Our Lady, if you wish, and to enjoy refreshments with us after the program. New Hours and Gala for RM in New York Mark your calendars now for the annual NY Radio Maria Gala to be held Sunday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at the VIP Country Club, (waterfront) in New Rochelle, NY. And, beginning May 1, Radio Maria in New York will be broadcasting live under a new, reduced-time schedule. The new schedule is: Monday to Thursday from 9 pm - 10 pm and Sunday from 10 am - 11 am and from 7 pm - 11 pm According to Florinda Iannace, Board of Directors secretary, the New York studio was forced to reduce its time on the air, due to lack of funds. Renting air time in New York is very expensive, she said. We could never have started without the help of Friends of Radio Maria, the association that broadcasts in Italian. Since it became self supporting, the association for the Italian programs has helped the Spanish and the English programs, in the USA. They are still Radio Maria New York s major donor. Even with the reduction in hours, we have reasons to be hopeful, she said. Donations from our area have been slowly growing even if we are far from being self sustaining. World Mariathon The World Family of Radio Maria in Italy will host its first annual World Mariathon May 10-12. It will involve listeners of Radio Maria stations worldwide in the evangelizing mission that has characterized this Catholic broadcasting station for more than 25 years. Listeners will be given the opportunity to support the worldwide mission of Radio Maria during these three days. For more information, go to www.mariathon.org
Free Radio Maria e-newsletter published monthly If a friend just gave you a copy of this Radio Maria newsletter, you must not be receiving it yourself. Why? Because we don t have your e-mail and/or your mailing address. Won t you take a moment to send it to us now? Since the beginning of Radio Maria USA in 2000, there has always been a published newsletter that appeared here and there. But it has not been until recently that the Radio Maria Board of Directors voted to start regularly publishing a newsletter. There are two types of newsletters: Monthly E-Newsletter -- e-mailed monthly to those on our e-mail list. To add your name to this list, e-mail us at info.eng@ radiomaria.us Quarterly Mailed Newsletter -- If you don t have an e-mail, we will send you the printed version quarterly, provided that we have your mailing address. To add your name to this list, call us at 888-408-0201 or mail it to Radio Maria, 601 Washington Street, Alexandria, LA 71301. NEWSLETTER MAILING VOLUNTEERS. A group of volunteeers from Radio Maria Alexandria spent two days preparing the last quarterly newsletter for the mail. Pictured (from left) are Barbara Wiggins, Melba Birdsall, Shirley Green, Carla Rachall, Diane Ardoin, Sharon McCusker, and Jane Roth. Comments from Listeners I wanted to take time to say what a life-saver Radio Maria is. It certainly helps me stay on track and focus on what it means to be Catholic AND Christian or Christ-like. At a critical time your ministry helped me to feel the love of Christ. I love all the priestly blessings given, and even the voices of the priests are very comforting. Thank you. -- Susan My radio is always on Radio Maria in my car and home. I pray the rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, listen to Masses, and enjoy the different talk programs, especially Ann and Anna. Thank you for Radio Maria! -- Deanna It was a very special moment. You know how it is, on the road after pouring yourself out in ministry, when all of a sudden, the lonely highway syndrome knocks on the door of your heart: No earthly spouse, no earthly kids, no earthly family to go home to. That s when the words Welcome to your Radio Maria family come crashing in and burst the Devil s lies asunder. After the Mass, I was bursting with life to share the Good News with the suffering man who was waiting for me at the next toll-booth! Keep up the great work, Fr. Robert. The Lord is saving many souls through you and your team. -- Janis Thank you for the great programming and thank the Blessed Mother for bringing me back to the flock through Radio Maria! -- Unsigned Listening to the Midday Divine Office on my way home on the train at 6:00 PM in the UK. Now learning the Queen of Heaven prayer. Been trying you out with other Catholic stations but am increasingly drawn to Radio Maria. -- Nigel Listen to Radio Maria 24/7 Radio Maria Frequencies 580 AM - Alexandria, LA 1360 AM - New Iberia, LA 89.7 FM - Natchitoches, LA 91.1FM - Lake Charles, LA 88.1 FM - D Iberville, MS 1250 AM - Port Arthur, TX 88.1 FM - Hollidaysburg, PA 91.3 FM - Peshtigo, WI 1600 AM - Springfield, OH 88.7 FM - Anna, OH 620 AM -- New York, NY Mon-Thurs 9 pm -10 pm EST Sunday: 10am -111 am 7 pm -11pm EST Listen Online at radiomaria.us Listen on your land phone 24/7 by calling 212-901-5323. Radio Maria Smartphone Apps available on website or at right. Your tax deductible support helps Radio Maria and makes this newsletter possible. Blackberry Android iphone Remember Radio Maria in your Will. Remember a loved one by donating a memorial in his/her honor. Call 888-408-0201 for details.
Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day is Monday, May 13 Our Lady of Fatima Novena will be prayed throughout the day on Radio Maria Sunday, May 5 - Monday, May 13 Each day has a meditation. Following the reading and contemplation of the day s meditation, recite the following prayers: Fatima : Most Holy Virgin, who has deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three little shepherds the treasures of graces hidden in the recitation of the Rosary, inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion, so that by meditating on the mysteries of our redemption that are recalled in it, we may gather the fruits and obtain the conversion of sinners, the conversion of Russia, and this favor that I so earnestly seek (state your prayer intention here) which I ask of you in this novena, for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of all people. Amen Next Recite s -- 3 Our Fathers -- 3 Hail Marys -- 3 Glory Be Day 1 Mary, you appeared to the children of Fatima to deliver an urgent message about our troubled world. Soon after, the entire world was at war, resulting in terrible sorrow and destruction. Today, as violence has erupted again, in distant lands and even in our own home. The prayers and sacrifice you pleaded for are needed as much as ever. Some parts of the world are torn by fighting disguised as religious zeal, and even our own neighborhoods are divided by racial tension. Charity begins at home; if we fail to love the neighbor at our doorstep, how will we spread the Gospel of love beyond? The Story of Fatima The story of Fatima begins with three humble shepherd children. Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta lived quiet lives. They tended their sheep and enjoyed playing games together. They were ordinary children, who took part in an extraordinary event. In 1917, in a series of apparitions, Our Blessed Mother appeared to the three shepherd children. On October 13, 1917, about 70,000 people gathered in the pouring rain because Our Blessed Mother promised the children a miracle would take place as a sign of her messages to them. During the apparition, the rain stopped and the clouds parted. The spectators could view the sun without discomfort. They saw the sun whirl and dance. Prior to the Miracle of the Sun, the spectators were drenched with rain. After the sun became still, they were completely dry. During each of the apparitions, Our Lady told the children of the importance of prayer and penance, especially during troubled times. Her message has often been interpreted in light of the devastating world wars which broke out soon after her appearance. Today, considering the recent attacks against the United States, and the retaliatory strike, Our Lady s words seem especially apt once again. Mary, today I hear your words and I call upon your Son to come to our aid and end the suffering that we cause one another. I pray for an end to all wars throughout the world. Help us, Jesus, to sow love in the place of hatred. Day 2 Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta were very young and yet, Mary, you chose them to be to be your messengers to the world. In doing so, you reminded us that, as followers of Jesus, we must be like little children trusting and loving. Let us pray that we too may be like children, choosing to offer love and trust where we would be tempted to choose hatred and suspicion. Mary, I trust your Son completely. But sometimes, I live in fear. I want to love unconditionally, but I am too afraid to let go of my anxieties, too afraid to admit that I cannot control everything. I want to be your Son s instrument to accomplish God s will. Today, through your intercession, Mary, I ask Jesus to help me be like a little child holding His hand, trusting all to Him.
Day 3 The children of Fatima heard your plea to pray. Today, we also need to pray, especially for peace in the world. We have been reminded most painfully of how uncertain life is, and how fragile. Yet rather than despair, we are moved to grow closer to God, so as to know the comfort of His presence in this world and in the next. For the kingdom comes like a thief in the night; truly we know not the hour nor the day. Show me, Mary, how to pray always. Help me to speak to God as to a trusted friend, sharing my truest feelings. Guide me, also, in my efforts to reach that perfect inner silence, so that I may listen for what God has to tell me. Throughout my busy and distracting days, help me to keep my mind and my heart centered on God. Day 4 At Fatima, Mary, you called on us to make sacrifices. The great needs of our suffering brothers and sisters in our country and around the world ask of us sacrifices today. Many have answered these requests with gifts of money and supplies. Many others have chosen to serve something greater than themselves, far from the comfort of home. Let us all be willing to give what we can; let us all seek to think less of ourselves than of those who have less. Whisper a reminder in my ear each morning, Mary, to offer all my day s actions, thoughts, and words, all my gifts of time and treasure, to God. As I make this offering, I call to mind all the people affected by my actions each day. I ask God today to help me to be motivated by love and compassion in all that I do. Day 5 Mary, at Fatima you told us: Do penance. At this time, it may seem an especially galling task; we would rather point out how grievously we have been wronged by others. It may seem that your Son s proverb has been turned on its head the plank is in our brother s eye, the speck in our own. Yet still we must turn our scrutiny upon ourselves. Having been deeply hurt, we recognize that we have also hurt others, and we seek all the more readily to mend what we have broken. Mary, help me find the humility to seek forgiveness for my sins and make amends for my wrongful actions. Help me to open my heart to the healing touch of Jesus. Day 6 Mary, the children said they had seen a vision of hell. All too many people around the world live in places so desperate that they might be compared to hell. In many places, terror strikes daily and innocents die in senseless war. The cycle of violence and revenge is perpetuated, with no end in sight. We would do well to remember the relative comfort we are blessed with, and realize that many are not so fortunate. Today, Mary, I pray for an easing of the suffering and injustice that mark much of the world. I pray for all who face oppression at the hands of another. I pray that they find a peaceful way to resolve their differences. I pray in thanksgiving for all the blessings I enjoy; may I be always ready to share them with others. Day 7 Mary, through the power of God you performed a miracle at Fatima and made the sun dance. Jesus told us that, even with faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. This is hard to believe yet every day, we all have opportunities to make a great difference in the world. We can open closed hearts with our love. This may seem a small and undramatic kind of miracle, but it is the kind most needed today. Mary, I pray that I might follow your example, and allow myself to be one through whom God works in the world. Though the work may be so small and simple as to seem insignificant, help me to trust in God s greater plan. May I be always, like you, willing to answer God s call. Day 8 Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta were all normal children living ordinary lives. As they show us, we do not need to be important or powerful in the eyes of the world to do God s work. When we feel too small and helpless to change things, we remember that all we need are faith, trust, humility, and wisdom, to make of ourselves God s instruments. God, I am an ordinary person. But like the children of Fatima, I want to bring Your Word to the world. Give me the strength to overcome my fears and my doubts, so that I might be a messenger of Your love. Day 9 Mary, your apparition at Fatima was an extraordinary event. Most of us will never experience an apparition. But we know that Christ lives in our hearts and comes to us in the Eucharist. How wonderful it is that we can receive the body and blood of your Son and be nourished by it. Thank you, Mary, for appearing to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta and delivering a message that is as relevant today as it was then. Thank You, God my Creator, for giving me life and so many blessings. Thank You, Jesus, for giving me Your body and blood in the Eucharist. And thank You, Holy Spirit, for dwelling in me and giving me courage. Most of all, thank You, God, for Your love.
About the Novena of the Holy Spirit The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit To be recited daily during the Novena Novena of the Holy Spirit Novena starts Friday, May 10 through Vigil of Pentecost (Saturday), May 18 On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, Speak Lord for Your servant heareth. Amen. for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit To be recited daily during the Novena O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen. The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension, Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, even if the Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday. Day 1 (Friday after Ascension) Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give! Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord The Holy Spirit Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us. Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts
Day 2 (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter) Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live! The Gift of Fear The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls. Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts Day 3 (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension) Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow. The Gift of Piety The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor. Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts Day 4 (Monday, 7th Week of Easter) Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe. 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 under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved. Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts Day 5 (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter) Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill! 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 possesseth it. Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts Day 6 (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter) If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn d to ill. The Gift of Understanding Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts
Day 7 (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter) Heal our wounds--our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away. The Gift of Counsel The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth. Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts Day 8 (Friday, 7th Week of Easter) Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray! The Gift of Wisdom Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands. It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light. Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts Day 9 (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost) Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen The Fruits of the Holy Spirit The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign. Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen. Act of Consecration, for the Seven Gifts