561. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer?
(Comp 561) Since the Holy Spirit is the
interior Master of Christian prayer and “we do not know how to pray as we
ought” (Romans 8:26), the Church exhorts us to invoke him and implore him on
every occasion: “Come, Holy Spirit!”
“In brief”
(CCC 2680) Prayer is primarily addressed to the Father; it
can also be directed toward Jesus, particularly by the invocation of his holy
name: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners."
To deepen and explain
(CCC 2670) "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by
the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3). Every time we begin to pray to Jesus it is
the Holy Spirit who draws us on the way of prayer by his prevenient grace.
Since he teaches us to pray by recalling Christ, how could we not pray to the
Spirit too? That is why the Church invites us to call upon the Holy Spirit
every day, especially at the beginning and the end of every important action.
If the Spirit should not be worshiped, how can he divinize me through Baptism?
If he should be worshiped, should he not be the object of adoration? (St. Gregory
of Nazianzus, Oratio, 31, 28: PG 36,
165).
Reflection
(CCC 2671) The traditional form of petition to the Holy
Spirit is to invoke the Father through Christ our Lord to give us the Consoler
Spirit (Cf. Lk 11:13). Jesus insists on
this petition to be made in his name at the very moment when he promises the
gift of the Spirit of Truth (Cf. Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:13). But the simplest and
most direct prayer is also traditional, "Come, Holy Spirit," and
every liturgical tradition has developed it in antiphons and hymns. Come, Holy
Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your
love (Roman Missal, Pentecost
Sequence). Heavenly King, Consoler Spirit, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere
and filling all things, treasure of all good and source of all life, come dwell
in us, cleanse and save us, you who are All-Good (Byzantine Liturgy, Pentecost
Vespers, Troparion).
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