Pentecost Novena with St. John of the Cross (Day 2; May 15)
May 15, 2026
Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.
Day 2
Scripture(1 Thess 5:18-22)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt But test them all; hold on to what is good Reject whatever is harmful.
Meditation
Stanza 1 (cont'd)
O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest center! Since
now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!
Let it suffice to know that the very God who desires to enter within the soul through the union and transformation of love is he who first assails and purges it with the light and heat of his divine flame, just as the fire that penetrates the log of wood is the same that first prepares it for this, as we said. Hence the very flame that is now gentle, since it has entered within the soul, is what was formerly oppressive, assailing it from without.
Moreover, a soul is conscious that in the vigor of the Bridegroom's delightful communication the Holy Spirit rouses and invites it by the immense glory he marvelously and with gentle affection places before its eyes…
To sum up the entire stanza now, it is like saying: O flame of the Holy Spirit that so intimately and tenderly pierces the substance of my soul and cauterizes it with your glorious ardor! Previously my requests did not reach your ears, when, in the anxieties and weariness of love in which my sense and my spirit suffered because of considerable weakness, impurity, and lack of strong love, I was praying that you loose me and bring me to yourself because my soul longed for you, and impatient love did not allow me to be so conformed to the conditions of this life in which you desired me still to live. The previous impulses of love were not enough, because they did not have sufficient quality for the attainment of my desire; now I am so fortified in love that not only do my sense and spirit no longer faint in you, but my heart and my flesh, reinforced in you, rejoice in the living God [Ps. 84:2], with great conformity between the sensory and spiritual parts. What you desire me to ask for, I ask for; and what you do not desire, I do not desire, nor can I, nor does it even enter my mind to desire it. My petitions are now more valuable and estimable in your sight, since they come from you, and you move me to make them, and I make them in the delight and joy of the Holy Spirit, my judgment now issuing from your countenance [Ps. 17:2], that is, when you esteem and hear my prayer.
Musical Selection
Holy Spirit, holy spirit
Come with your fire
Holy Spirit holy spirit
Come with your fire
Holy Spirit, come with your fire
Holy Spirit, come with your fire
Refrain
Come, Holy Spirit,
Let the fire fall
Come, Holy Spirit,
Let the fire fall
Let the fire fall!
Let the fire fall!
Holy Spirit, holy spirit
Purify my heart
Holy Spirit, holy spirit
Purify my heart
Holy Spirit,
Purify my heart
Holy Spirit,
Purify my heart
Holy Spirit, holy spirit,
Set my life on fire
Holy Spirit, holy spirit,
Set my life on fire
Collect
God eternal,
as you sent upon the disciples
the promised gift of the Holy Spirit,
look upon your church
and open our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Kindle in us the fire of your love,
and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. (Book of Common Worship)