COME, SPIRIT OF LOVE AND PEACE!
Prayer of his Holiness Pope John Paul II
for the second year of preparation for
the Great Jubilee of the year 2000
Holy Spirit, most welcome guest of our hearts,
reveal to us the profound meaning of the Great Jubilee
and prepare our hearts to celebrate it with faith,
in the hope which does not disappoint,
in the love which seeks nothing in return.
Spirit of truth, you who search the depths of God,
memory and prophecy in the Church,
lead mankind to recognize in Jesus of Nazareth
the Lord of glory, the Saviour of the world,
the supreme fulfilment of history.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
Creator Spirit, hidden builder of the Kingdom,
by the power of your holy gifts guide the Church
to cross with courage the threshold of the new millennium
and to carry to the coming generations
the light of the Word who brings salvation.
Spirit of holiness, divine breath which moves the universe,
come and renew the face of the earth.
Awaken in Christians a desire for full unity,
that they may be for the world an effective sign and istrument
of intimate union with God and of the unity of the whole human race.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
Spirit of communion, soul and stregth of the Church,
grant that wealth of charisms and ministries
may contribute to the unity of the Body of Christ;
grant that laity, consacrated persons and ordained ministers
may work together in harmony to build the one Kingdom of God.
Spirit of consolation, unfailing source of joy and peace,
inspire solidarity with the poor,
grant the sick the stregth they need,
pour our trust and hope upon those experiencing trials,
awaken in all hearts a commitment to a better future.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
Spirit of wisdom, ispirtation of minds and hearts,
direct science and technology
to the service of life, justice and peace.
Render fruitful our dialogue with the followers of other religions,
lead the different cultures to appreciate the values of the Gospel.
Spirit of life, by whose power the Word was made flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the woman of attentive silence,
make us docile to the promptings of your love
and ever ready to accept the signs of the times
which you place along the paths of history.
Come, Spirit of love and peace!
To you, Spirit of love,
with the Almighty Father and the Only-Begotten Son,
be praise, honour and glory
for ever and ever. Amen