throughout the whole Catholic Church, this year and in every subsequent
year, a novena shall take place before Whit-Sunday (Pentecost), in all
parish churches." It has been reported that Pope Leo XIII was inspired to
mandate the Pentecost novena because of a letter from a housewife in
Italy. Pope John Paul II has reiterated Pope Leo XIII's command for a
worldwide Pentecost novena, although the novena can be prayed at any
time — not only before Pentecost.
On May 22nd the Pentecost novena begins for 2009. You can use our
Pentecost novena prayer booklet to help guide your prayer.
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/PentNovena.asp
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Monday, May 25, 2009, Pentecost Novena - Day 4, Venerable St. Bede, Pope
St. Gregory VII, St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
Acts 19:1-8, Psalm 68:2-7, John 16:29-33
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/052509.shtml
THE SPIRIT OF UNITY
"You will be scattered." —John 16:32
The Holy Spirit gathers rather than scatters. At Babel (Gn 11:7-9), men
were scattered. At Pentecost, the Spirit gathered and united. Jesus came
to gather us together (Jn 11:51-52).
One thing is certain: unity is never reached by stifling the Spirit, the
Source of unity (Eph 4:3). To achieve the unity desired by the Holy
Spirit, we must be filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:4) and operate in the
gifts of the Spirit, which are always given for the common good (1 Cor
12:7).
How sad that sometimes one of the effects of the Life in the Spirit
seminar is to scatter a church into factions of charismatics and
non-charismatics. Therefore, those who are filled with the Spirit and
striving to daily operate in the gifts of the Spirit must "make every
effort to preserve the unity" (Eph 4:3) the Spirit is always working to
achieve.
Jesus wants unity very much. He prays that we all be one as He and the
Father are one (Jn 17:21). Jesus is always working to break down the
barriers of hostility (Eph 2:14) and bring reconciliation and peace
through the blood of His cross (Col 1:20).
Pray for the Holy Spirit. Do not stifle the Spirit out of fear of further
disunity. The Holy Spirit is the best Gift, and the Father is pleased to
give the Spirit (Lk 11:13). "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22) and "be
united in mind and judgment" (1 Cor 1:10).
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit of unity! Jesus, pour out Your love in our
hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rm 5:5). Gather us together (Jn 11:52).
Promise: "The Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in
tongues and to utter prophecies." —Acts 19:6
Praise: Pope St. Gregory's last recorded words were "I d justice and hated
iniquity."
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April
1, 2009 through May 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 3, 2008
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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