We recite the Chaplet of the Holy Ghost when some important decision must be made and when special spiritual help is needed. It is believed that this lovely group of prayers was composed originally in 1892 by Fr. John Mary of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin to teach the faithful an easy way to pray to the Holy Spirit. It was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1902.
The Chaplet of the Holy Ghost is different from the catholic rosary to mother Mary and is intended to be in regard to the Holy Ghost similar to how the Dominican Rosary is in regard to the Blessed Virgin.
It is made up of 50 prayers, one for each beed, beginning with three small size beads.
Followed by five sets of seven beads, each separated by two large or different beads.
There is a mystery for each of the five groups; the number 5 commemorating the Five Wounds of Jesus which are the fountains of grace which the Holy Ghost imparts to all men.
How to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Spirit
On the Medal:
Recollect yourself while gazing on the medal of the Holy Ghost.
On the first three beads:
1- Make the Sign of the Cross.
2- Say an Act of Contrition… (c)
3- Recite the hymn Come, Holy Spirit. (Prayer 14)
On each of the two large colored and seven smaller beads:
Announce the Mystery (below)
1. Pray an Our Father (a)
1. Pray a Hail Mary (d)
7. Pray a Glory be to the Father. (b) while meditating on the mystery.
Repeat this through the five mysteries.
During the praying of each set of seven beads, we are asked to meditate on one of the five mysteries (below), 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 Spirit 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 comfortable 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.
Pray finally:
…Our Father…
…Hail Mary…
…Glory be to the Father…
for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.