Pentecost Novena Asking God for a Priestly Pentecost

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Fr Richard Heilman May 20, 2020

FIRST SHEPHERDS POINT TO PRESENT DAY SHEPHERDS

Many believe this global pandemic, and subsequent distancing from Mass and Communion, has the hand of God on it. Or, at least, many believe God seeks to utilize it for His purposes. It may be that a kind of illumination is at work here. One that is calling us to a greater appreciation and love for the Most Holy Eucharist, while calling priests and bishops to a greater fortitude, amidst the forces of evil moving, mostly, unabated in our times.

Recently, I pointed out that our First Shepherds (Apostles), when faced with a “crisis moment” (Jesus is arrested) behaved in certain way. I hypothesized that the ratio of present day Shepherds (we priests & bishops) seems similar to the first Shepherds.

To summarize:

1/12th of us present day Shepherds seem to have no supernatural faith, treating the Church merely as a business – like Judas.
10/12ths of us present day Shepherds seem to lack fortitude, like 10 of the 12 Apostles who deserted Jesus and fled, when Jesus was arrested. It seems that many of us modern day Shepherds simply allow evil to advance while we retreat in silence. However, it must be noted that the forces of evil in our times may be the strongest and most aggressive they have ever been, especially in this age of “instant information” … “instant propaganda.” Shepherds, today, are facing an enormous Goliath. We need much prayer for the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, there is the remaining 1/12th of us present day Shepherds who, like John the Beloved, courageously stay with Jesus, all the way to the foot of the cross. These modern day Shepherds fearlessly put their reputations on the line to bring the light of the Spirit of truth to outshine the evil forces of darkness.

However, don’t we know that the Apostles were huddled in the Upper Room, when Jesus penetrated obstacles – a locked door – and breathed on them with the power of the Holy Spirit. In that moment, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they left their fear and timidity behind, and became courageous John the Beloved Good Shepherds. They would then go forth from the Upper Room to stand against the forces of evil in their times, bringing the Spirit of truth, even when that meant they would be martyred. They bravely accepted their call to be the “influencers of their times.”

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you (John 14:15-17).

We need to call out to God for the grace of a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit for priests and bishops! We need a “Priestly Pentecost.”

Priestly Pentecost

Blessed Concepción Cabrera de Armida (1862-1937) was a Mexican Roman Catholic mystic and writer. She is also referred to often simply as Conchita. She was beatified in Mexico City on 4 May 2019, as the first Mexican laywoman to receive this recognition.

The Lord revealed to Conchita the vital role of the priesthood for the world, and then the Lord revealed this:

“I want to give my Church a powerful impulse in which I will pour out the Holy Spirit over my priests like a new Pentecost. The Church and the world need a new Pentecost, a priestly Pentecost, an interior Pentecost.”

Pentecost Novena Asking God for a Priestly Pentecost

A global pandemic emerges, distancing Catholics from the Mass, only a few months after our Church received a shocking new Pew Research Report that revealed 70% of professed Catholics do not believe in Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist. Coincidence? One wonders. This is a “crisis moment” that should not be dismissed.

Let’s pray like we have never prayed before!

The Pentecost Novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed.

Pentecost Novena Dates: The Pentecost Novena for our Priests and Bishops goes from Friday, May 22 to Saturday, May 30 (Vigil of Pentecost).

Power Up Your Pentecost Novena: Be in a State of Grace (Go to Confession). Find time to pray, in silence, before the Blessed Sacrament. Add fasting, to whatever level God is calling you.

Simple Intention: We will seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary and Pope St. John Paul II, as our intention will be the same as that of the holy monk of In Sinu Jesu: “Johanninise the souls of our priests and bishops. Please, Lord, grant a Priestly Pentecost.”

Daily Pentecost Novena Prayers Found by (I will post the daily novena prayers here) …