O Lord Jesus Christ, Who before ascending into heaven promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your apostles and disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and Your love.

Grant me the gift of wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal;

the gift of understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Your Divine Truth;

the gift of counsel, that I may ever choose the surest ways of pleasing God and gaining heaven;

the gift of fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You and may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation;

the gift of knowledge, that I may know God and know myself, and grow perfect in the science of the saints;

the gift of piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable;

the spirit of fear of the Lord, that I may be filled with a loving reverence toward God, and may dread in any way to displease Him.

Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.