Day 7 — The Gift of Holy Fear of the Lord

Antiphon

Come, Father of the poor! Come, treasures that sustain us! Come, Light of all that lives!

Meditation on the Gift of Holy Fear of the Lord

The gift of Holy Fear of God fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us fear nothing so much as to offend him by sin. It is a fear that arises not from the thought of hell, but from a sense of reverence and filial submission to our Heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, turning us away from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "Those who fear the Lord are ready of heart, and humble themselves before him" (Sir 2:17).

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate to the inmost part of my heart, that I may hold 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 to the Holy Spirit (for all days)

Receive, O Holy Spirit, the absolute consecration of all my being, which I make to You this day, that You may henceforth be, in every instant of my life, in each of my actions, my Director, my Light, my Guide, my Strength, and all the love of my Heart.

I abandon myself without reserve to your divine operations, and I desire ever to be docile to your holy inspirations.

O Holy Spirit! Deign to form me with Mary and in Mary, after the model of your beloved Jesus.

Glory to the Father Creator. Glory to the Son Redeemer. Glory to the Holy Spirit the Sanctifier. Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, and Gloria).