CTS Devotions
Philip G. Bochanski CO
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860823817
eISBN 9781784694463
ASIN B073H2KH5F
CTS Booklet D678
This past lent I used several different versions of Stations of the Cross and Way of the Cross. Including a few from The Catholic Truth Society. I enjoyed them so much I decided to continue with Road to Pentecost Prayer Guide for Eastertide by Kristina Cooper. While reading that one I picked up and worked through this novena book. Over the last few years, I have read over 150 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. This was the second book I have read by Father Philip G. Bochanski CO. The print edition is our of print but the eBook is wonderful to have for the season of Easter. The book was originally published in 2006 and the eBook released in 2017.
The description of this volume is:
“After Jesus's ascension into heaven, his apostles remained nine days in Jerusalem, praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This has inspired the Christian novena or nine days of fervent prayer, to prepare for major feasts or for special intentions. With St Philip Neri as our guide, we follow nine days of prayer, each linked to a fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With down-to-earth reflections from St Philip and Cardinal Newman included, this ebook can be used at any time throughout the year.”
The sections in the volume are:
Praying to the Holy Spirit
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Novena to the Holy Spirit
The Vessel of the Holy Spirit
Heart of Fire
Day One - Love
Day Two - Joy
Day Three - Peace
Day Four - Patience
Day Five - Kindness
Day Six - Goodness
Day Seven - Faithfulness
Day Eight - Gentleness
Day Nine - Self-Control
Hymns
Litanies
As can be see by the chapter titles the first three sections of this volume before the Novena begins is about the Holy Spirit. A chapter on the Fruit, one on the novena and one on being a vessel of the Holy Spirit. We are told in the first of those sections that:
“Although we have all heard of the Holy Spirit, he can sometimes be the most difficult of the three Persons of the Trinity to understand. Jesus himself compares the Holy Spirit to the wind: we cannot see the wind, which is invisible, but we recognise it because we can feel it blowing on our skin, and we can see its effects on the objects around us. In the same way, although the Spirit himself is invisible, and often works in hidden ways, we can recognise his presence in the works that he accomplishes in those who believe. St Paul calls these works - “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” - the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).”
The beginning of the next section states:
“Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus instructed the apostles to remain in Jerusalem and to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. If we wish to receive the power of the Holy Spirit that will help us to bear his fruits, we too must follow this command and example of fervent prayer.”
And the book concludes with three hymns and 2 litanies to the Holy Spirit. Each of the days of the Novena follow the same formula:
Hymn (chosen from the back of the book)
Antiphon
Prayer
Reading
Responsory
Meditation
Litany (chosen from the back of the book)
Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Concluding Prayer
This is a wonderful Novena, it can be used for personal devotion or done in a group corporately. It is easy to work through. And will be beneficial no matter what time of the year you work through it.
Another excellent book from the Catholic Truth Society. A great part of the CTS Devotions Series.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
For other books in the CTS Devotions Series click here.
Books by Philip G. Bochanski:
A Blessed Lent
Novena to the Holy Spirit
…
No comments:
Post a Comment