Day 8 — The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Antiphon

Bend the stubborn will and heart; melt the frozen; warm the cold. Guide the steps that have gone astray!

Meditation on 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, and 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: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faith, modesty, self-control, and chastity" (Gal 5:22-23). These fruits, in turn, make the practice of virtue more active and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with your heavenly fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. May I never grow weary in God's service, but by continual and faithful submission to your inspiration, deserve to be eternally united with you, in the love of the Father and of the Son. 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).