Friday night with the Holy Spirit

I spent my Friday night with the Holy Spirit; and a couple hundred close friends.  With Pentecost this Sunday we have been blessed to have an area church hosts a novena to the Holy Spirit.  For the second consecutive year this novena was hosted by Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacombe, La.  Lacombe is still a relatively quiet community on the Northshore of New Orleans.  It is believed that French settlers, paddling across massive Lake Pontchartrain, discovered the Northshore from their journeys north from New Orleans.  As is the case every year with the Holy Spirit novena, every night for nine nights is the celebration of the Mass and some other event to focus on the Holy Spirit.  Various Priests, from near and far, come to the Holy Spirit novena, either to preside at Mass, deliver the homily, or perhaps conduct a talk or prayer event after Mass.  Tonight there was Adoration and Benediction along with a healing prayer service.

The host church also invites the many Permanent Deacons from the area to assist at the Masses and tonight was my night.  What a night to attend.  The dynamic Fr. Francis from the Thibodaux area is a rousing preacher and surely followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  As his homily neared 35 minutes, he acknowledged that he should wrap it up.  This was greeted by a loud no.  The folks in the pews were actually enthralled with a long homily.  After Mass, Adoration begun and then folks were asked to come forward if inclined to have the Priest's pray over them.  And yes, many were overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit and were laid out.  It is quite a powerful sight and such an amazing witness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in one's life.

Are you ready for Pentecost?  Are you prepared to acknowledge that you need to be more open to the Holy Spirit; to be responsive to His promptings and become more aware of His gifts?  This Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost, be prepared and read and pray with the readings; especially the 1st reading which gives the account of that Pentecost day.  Want a novel idea for Sunday Mass?  Wear red.  Yes, red is the liturgical color of the Holy Spirit, as well as of the feast of Pentecost.  It is also the color for martyrs too.

Pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit this weekend in preparation for Mass.  Here it is:

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
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 enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Will post more on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost.  Tonight, I am most excited to have been present for this evening of the Holy Spirit Novena.  If you are anywhere near Lacombe, La tomorrow evening stop by Sacred Heart Catholic Church and give a shout out to the Holy Spirit!