Chaplet of the Holy Spirit

Chaplet of the Holy Spirit

The Chaplet of the Holy Spirit was composed in 1892 by a Franciscan Capuchin missionary of the English province in order to give the faithful an easy means honoring the Holy Ghost. It was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1902. It is intended to be in regard to the Holy Ghost what the Dominican Rosary is in regard to the Blessed Virgin.

This Rosary consists of five groups of seven beads each. Before and after each group there are two large beads, that is twelve large beads in all. In addition there are three small beads at the beginning. On these three beads one makes the Sign of the Cross, recites an Act of Contrition and the hymn, Come, Holy Ghost.

In each group the Glory be to the Father is said on the seven small beads, an Our Father and a Hail Mary on the two large beads. On the remaining two large beads are said the Apostles' Creed and an Our Father and Hail Mary for the intention of the Holy Father.

There is a mystery for each of the five groups; the number five commemorating the Five Wounds of Jesus which are the fountains of grace which the Holy Ghost imparts to all men. The reflections suggested are as follows:

The First Mystery 
By the Holy Ghost is Jesus conceived of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Meditation: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: and therefore also the holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35).

The Practice: Diligently implore the aid of the Divine Spirit, and Mary's intercession, to imitate the virtues of Jesus Christ, Who is the Model of virtues, so that you may be made conformable to the image of the Son of God.

The Second Mystery 
The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus

The Meditation: "Jesus, being Baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo! the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him."  (Matthew 3:16).

The Practice: Hold in the highest esteem the priceless gift of sanctifying grace, infused into your soul by the Holy Ghost in Baptism. Keep the promises to which you then pledged yourself. Increase, by constant practice, Faith, Hope and Charity. Ever live as becometh children of God and members of God's true Church, so as to obtain, hereafter, the inheritance of Heaven.

The Third Mystery 
By the Spirit is Jesus led into the desert

The Meditation: "Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert for the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil." (Luke 4:1, 2).

The Practice: Be ever grateful for the sevenfold gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon you in Confirmation, for the spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, and of the fear of the Lord. Faithfully yield to His Divine guidance, so that, in all the trials and temptations of life, you may act manfully, as becometh a perfect Christian and valiant soldier of Jesus Christ.

The Fourth Mystery 
The Holy Ghost in the Church

The Meditation: "Suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting .  .  . and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak . . . the wonderful works of God." (Acts 11:2, 4, 11).

The Practice: Thank God for having made you a child of His Church which is ever animated and directed by the Divine Spirit, sent into this world for that purpose on the day of Pentecost. Hear and obey the Holy See, the infallible mouthpiece of the Holy Ghost, and the Church, the pillar and ground of truth. Uphold her doctrines, seek her interests, defend her rights.

The Fifth Mystery 
The Holy Ghost in the soul of the just man

The Meditation: "Know you not that you members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, Who is in you?" (I Cor. 6:19). "Extinguish not the Spirit:" (1 Thess. 5:19). "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption:" (Eph. 4:30).

The Practice: Be ever mindful of the Holy Ghost Who is within you, and carefully cultivate purity of soul and body. Faithfully obey His Divine inspirations so that you may bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit ---- Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Benignity, Goodness, Long-suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continency, Chastity.

Conclude with the Apostles' Creed

Say finally one Our Father and one Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff. 

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord  who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into Hell;  the third day He arose again from the dead;  He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.  Amen.

Image Credit Waiting for the Word