FRIDAY 14 AUGUST

Novena | Day Seven

Daily Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.
Shape us in love that seeks the good of all,
in joy that does not fade amid uncertainty,
and in peace that gives clarity to our listening and discernment.

Teach us patience in our shared journey together,
kindness in our words,
and goodness in the choices set before us.

Ground us in faithfulness to the way of Jesus,
attune us to gentleness in our relationships with others,
and steady us with self-control when we are tempted to rush.

Draw us into a deeper conversion of heart,
renewing what has grown weary,
reorientating what has lost its way,
and opening us again to the life you are bringing forth.
Amen.

For the Life of the World

The Church does not exist for herself, but is continually sent into the world as a sign and instrument of Christ’s self‑giving love. All that we have prayed for – listening, discernment, communion, mercy, and renewal – finds its fulfilment in lives offered for others. In St Maximilian Kolbe, we see someone so conformed to Christ that his life becomes gift: bread broken for another’s hope. Rooted in deep contemplation and entrusted to Mary, his bold mission flowed from love without reserve. His witness reminds us that renewal is never an end in itself, but always bears fruit in self‑giving service.

Today we place both our hopes and our uncertainties into God’s hands. Trusting what the Spirit has been forming among us, we offer ourselves anew for one another and for the world God so loves. May we be sent forth with Christ, our lives joined to his, for the life of the world.

No one has greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Intention

We ask to become a people who live not for ourselves but for others. We pray for wisdom, unity, and readiness to follow the Holy Spirit in all that lies ahead. May our love be offered without reserve for the building up of the Church and the good of our neighbours.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…