This Chaplet was composed in 1892 by a Franciscan Capuchin missionary of the English Province in order to give the faithful an easy means of honouring the Holy Ghost. It was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1902.
How to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Ghost
The Chaplet of the Holy Ghost has 50 beads. It begins with three small beads, followed by 5 sets of 7 beads, each separated by 2 large beads.
On the three large beads, the faithful
make the “Sign of the Cross,”
says an “Act of Contrition…” and
recites the hymn “Come, Holy Ghost….”
On each set of 7 small beads is prayed 7 “Glory be to the Father….”
Then, on the 2 large beads is said 1 “Our Father”
and 1 “Hail Mary.”
During the praying of each set of 7 beads, the faithful is asked to meditate on one of the 5 mysteries (below), therefore commemorating the Five Wounds of Jesus which are the fountains of grace which the Holy Ghost imparts to all men.
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.” [Lk. 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 comformable to the image of the Son of God.
THE SECOND MYSTERY
The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus when he was baptized.
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.” [Mt. 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 to be tempted by the Devil.
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.” [Lk. 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, 2:2, 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 of 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 and just woman.
The Meditation: “Know you not that you members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, Who is in you?” [1 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, Dignity, Goodness, Long-suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continency, Chastity.
Conclude with the “I believe…” as a profession of faith.
Say finally once “Our Father…”,
“Hail Mary…”, and
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“Glory be to the Father…,”
for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.
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