Couples Circle, Naples, April 21, 2024
What a glorious season it’s been in Naples, and if I must say, we went out with a “bang”. Incorporated new Lumen member Tim Patton, who has been a blessing to us all. And were joined by 10 of our young Lumen associates who bring such spirit and joy to our gatherings. Thank you, Fr. Eric Nielsen for travelling all the way down from New York to guide us.
And then, of course, there was the Holy Spirit himself. We felt him everywhere that night. Here are my notes:
The power of prayer
Our icebreaker on when the Holy Spirit had touched us in a special way brought out a mountain of stories I hadn’t expected. One theme of many of them was the power of collective prayer. One of us had miraculously recovering from a coma following a horrible car accident, and only years later discovered his mother’s notes on all the prayers the community had prayed for him. Another, who’s been asking his servers at restaurants if he can pray for something in particular for them (a resolution from one of this season’s circles!), was surprised one night when several waiters at once approached him after sitting down with a collective prayer request. Prayer, especially collective prayer, is a powerful mechanism for enjoining the graces of the Holy Spirit in our lives. El Greco’s image of the Apostles led by Mary in collective prayer as the Holy Spirit arrived so dramatically on the first Pentecost really underscored this for all of us. We need to pray more, and to more consciously appeal to the Holy Spirit!
The power of silence
Two of us discussed the impact on our spiritual lives of a silent retreat, called a “Triduum”. When we’re alone with God for three days, reflecting on his Word as guided by the retreat master, receiving the sacraments, speaking with Him in Adoration, all the cares and noise of our hurly-burly world drops away, and we’re left focusing on the one thing that matters: Loving God above all. Eternity. Heaven. And letting the Spirit guide us home. For many of us, spending three days in silent prayer seemed like a big lift. But when you add up all the days spent doing things that won’t necessarily get us to heaven, and weigh them against three days with the Lord in silence, maybe it’s not such a big lift after all.
The power of Adoration and of Mass
Two other ways we connect with the Holy Spirit is in opportunities that are available to us every day: Adoration of the Eucharist in an adoration chapel or at least in the tabernacle, and Mass itself. A very powerful form of adoration is to envisage the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice for us on calvary; we do this physically every Good Friday, but the crucifix as an image for a timely reminder of this path to heaven is around us everywhere in the Catholic world. We can probably make better use of this in our prayer time. And Mass itself can be very powerful, particularly ones that in a small chapel without a lot of attendees but our closest families. In the intimacy of a setting like this, the presence of the Holy Spirit is palpable and enough to bring a grown man to tears.
The power of mission
One of us talked about how a spiritual mission can bring us closer to the Lord, and especially to his Holy Spirit. When on a mission for the Lord, although let’s face it he doesn’t need us, we get a chance to work alongside Him and to see how, through us, he can change someone’s life forever. When that happens, it’s not just the “mission-ed” that are changed, it’s us. Although the idea of helping on a spiritual mission often intimidates present age Catholics, there’s a reason this aspect of our faith is enshrined in the Creed itself “We believe in one, holy, apostolic Faith.” Maybe we should consider joining a mission as a way of drawing closer to the big missionary in the sky.
The power of asking
Nearly all three groups highlighted the power of simply invoking the Holy Spirit as we begin our prayers. Invoking him in this way helps train our own minds on his presence, and makes us more sensitive to it. And the Holy Spirit responds, as always, with abundance. We all concluded that we need to make a more conscious effort to appeal to the Holy Spirit, to speak to Him, in prayer. The Holy Spirit is the love of the Father and the Son all wrapped up into one. He needs to be a bigger part of our faith.
Resolution
We resolved to appeal more frequently to the Holy Spirit in prayer. In particular, to incorporate the Holy Spirit prayer into our daily prayer practice.
In turns out, there are many USCCB prayers to the Holy Spirit. Here’s two to get you started!
Communal Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Individual Prayer
Holy Spirit, delightful guest and consoler of my soul, enlighten my mind to know God’s will for me. Inflame my heart to love it passionately. Grant me the fortitude I need to accomplish it as perfectly as you ask of me. Lastly, Spirit of love, grant me the grace of responding faithfully to your holy inspirations.
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