The Apostles Prepared in Solitude for the Coming of the Holy Ghost

 
“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where they abode” (Acts 1, 13).

First Prelude: In spirit enter the Cenacle at Jerusalem, and join the disciples and the Blessed Mother of God there assembled in profound solitude.

Second Prelude: O Holy Spirit, let me realize the advantage of interior solitude and retirement, that I may learn to love and to practice it.

FIRST POINT

RETIREMENT AND SOLITUDE, ESSENTIALS OF A WORTHY PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST

Interior solitude is an excellent preparation for the reception of the Holy Ghost. We learn this from the Apostles, who, after the Ascension, secluded themselves in the upper chamber of the Supper Hall, to await the coming of the Comforter, Whom the Saviour had promised them. Would we share in the gifts and graces which the Holy Ghost generously imparted to them, then we must, likewise, seek solitude that God may speak to our hearts (Osee 2, 14). It is true, we are not free to forsake the field of activity assigned to us in obedience, but we can erect an interior solitude in our heart by means of recollection, by occupying ourselves solely with God and our duty to the exclusion of all foreign thoughts and desires.

The Holy Ghost communicates with souls only in so far as they avoid distractions and seek retirement. He would in vain impart His graces to dissipated, distracted souls for they would very soon forfeit them. Distractions make us forgetful of the best resolves, destroy the holiest sentiments, choke the precious seed of pious inspirations, and destroy the last vestige of the love of God! The Holy Ghost is a God of peace, a jealous God, Who rejects a divided heart. Let us, then, foster interior recollection, by faithful silence, which sanctifies the soul; let us curb our tongue by repressing every superfluous word during this novena; let us silence our imagination, keep guard at the door of our hearts in order to repel every strange thought that would intrude. Let us take well to heart the beautiful words of the Imitation: “Empty your heart of all creatures, that it may be filled with God.”

Do I solicitously banish every idle thought and do I strive to foster interior solitude by the mortification of my senses?

SECOND POINT

ADVANTAGES OF INTERIOR SOLITUDE

Consummate perfection consists in detaching ourselves from creatures that we may be more intimately united with God. But only those who in the solitude of their heart reflect on the instability of earthly things will realize that all is vanity except loving and serving God. Only they will realize that the whole world and all its concerns are not deserving of the least affection. Therefore, they disengage their hearts from all things earthly, and direct all their love toward God, the One alone worthy of love, alone perfect. They desire naught but His presence, no other will save His divine pleasure. Oh, how rapidly do such souls progress in virtue! They find nothing difficult, assisted as they are by the hand of a powerful, omnipotent God; nothing seems bitter under the protection of the God of all consolation. These souls renounce the worldly joys in exchange for the plenitude of peace for time and for eternity.

O blessed solitude, paradise on earth, way to heaven! From the moment we begin to live in thee, we possess ourselves, find pleasure in sweet converse with God, in constant fervor of spirit, in the reception of a super-abundance of graces. May we always resolutely follow the inner movements of the Holy Ghost, and refuse Him none of the sacrifices He asks of us! Furthermore, in solitude, in loving intercourse with God, we learn how to live a life of faith, which life, being an uninterrupted practice of all genuine virtues, leads quickly and infallibly to perfection.

Let us thank God that in religion He has offered us so many holy means to preserve interior solitude and to enjoy its precious fruits. Does the Holy Ghost find me properly disposed, that is, am I sufficiently recollected and retired for the reception of divine grace?

Affections: O Holy Spirit, Thou hast said, by the prophet: “I will take them into solitude and speak to their hearts.” Yes, I will seek the repose and solitude which is so agreeable to Thee, that I may hear Thee uttering words of eternal life. Do Thou, O sweet Guest of souls, close my interior and exterior senses; rule over my imagination; control my eyes, my tongue, and all the movements of my heart. Liberate my spirit from all affection for earthly things, that it may follow the sweet attractions of Thy grace, unimpeded. Teach me to make the proper use of these blessed days of preparation, that I may not through negligence, suffer the loss of the glorious fruits which Thou producest in recollected and fervent souls. Come, then, O Holy Ghost, and lavish upon me the plenitude of Thy graces. Come and establish in my heart the reign of Thy love and peace.

Resolution: By interior and exterior custody of the senses I will retire into the solitude of my heart, and strive to be profoundly recollected.

Spiritual Bouquet: “I will hear what the Lord shall say to my innermost soul.”

Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary.