Dear Pastor,
It is with joy, hope and confidence in the faithful I am announcing that I will consecrate the Archdiocese of St. Louis to the care of the Holy Spirit at the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Holy Redeemer Church at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, June 8, 2014 Pentecost Sunday at 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. To truly be Alive in Christ, we need the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis reminds us that the action of the Holy Spirit, “The Soul of the Church” is to guide us to the truth. “He leads us not only to an encounter with Jesus, the fullness of Truth, but guides us “into” the Truth, helping us enter into a deeper communion with Jesus himself.” The Holy Father acknowledges that we cannot accomplish these things on our own, but instead must place our Future in Faith confidently in the hands of the Holy Spirit.
Consecration means to set aside for a sacred purpose. I am asking the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to consecrate themselves to the Holy Spirit so that we may live out our Sacred Purpose: “Seeking to live in sacramental communion with one another, the Archdiocese of St. Louis exists to make disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ to prepare for the promise of eternal life.” With the help of the Holy Spirit we will better live the four pillars of being “Alive in Christ” Education; Stewardship; Evangelization and Social Justice.
I ask that a prayer of Consecration to the Holy Spirit be prayed at each Mass, in every parish and mission in the Archdiocese throughout the Pentecost week-end. Enclosed is a copy of the prayer, feel free to reproduce it for your parish. I call upon all our people to pray in preparation for this profoundly personal commitment, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come”.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop Robert J. Carlson
CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Holy Spirit, receive the perfect and complete consecration of my whole being. In all my actions, grant me the grace of being my Light, my Guide, my Strength and the Love of my heart. I surrender myself to You, and I ask You for the grace to be faithful to Your inspirations. Holy Spirit, transform me through Mary and with Mary into a true image of Christ Jesus, for the glory of the Father, and the salvation of the world. Amen.