Prayer - How to Start a Family Prayer Cenacle

During the Jubilee Year of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Bradley has asked each parish to institute a cenacle. However, you can also do this with your family or a small group of friends.

What is a cenacle?

The model of the cenacle is based on Mary and the Apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem where both the Last Supper (the first Eucharist) was held by Christ the night before his Crucifixion and where the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost, thus giving birth to the Church (Acts 2). Families are encouraged to start their own prayer cenacle at home. The cenacle should be dedicated to, and focused on, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as Spouse of the Holy Spirit, for it is through her Our Lord came to us. So, we ask for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit through her as his chosen Spouse. The cenacle is at the heart of this Jubilee Year of the Holy Spirit. Through it, may we ask the Holy Spirit to enkindle the fire of his love in our lives and show each of us our path to witnessing our faith and serving the Kingdom of God in our homes and communities.

Suggested Prayer Format

Pray weekly or daily as a family

1. The Sign of the Cross - The family leader encourages all to begin with the Sign of the Cross in the customary way while saying together: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
2. Prayers to the Holy Spirit - All: Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, thy well-beloved Spouse and enkindle within us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit, and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Leader: Let us pray. Together: O God by the Light of the Holy Spirit, you instruct the hearts of your faithful, in that same spirit help us to be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. Amen.
   1. Then pray the Prayer of the Month (available on diokzoo.org/holy-spirit; click on the month’s resources page).You can also substitute a favorite family prayer here (e.g., Prayer of St. Francis or liturgical seasonal prayers). Visit www.catholic.org for ideas.
3. The Holy Rosary - Five decades of one of the four sets of mysteries are the standard Rosary length. Our Lady of Fatima asked the children she appeared to in 1917 to ask the world to pray the rosary daily. Traditionally, the Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Monday and Thursday, and on Sundays during Advent and the Christmas season. The Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays and on Sundays during Lent. The Glorious Mysteries are prayed on Sundays and Saturdays. Pope John Paul II also instituted the Luminous Mysteries, which can be prayed on Thursdays in lieu of the Joyful Mysteries.
4. Closing Prayer - Prayer of the Jubilee Year of the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit!
Fill our hearts with gratitude and love for the precious Gift of the most Holy Eucharist You have given us to be our spiritual Food and Drink for our Journey of Faith.

Enkindle within us the fire of your loveand inspire within us the desire to be like Jesus, Who won our Salvation and Who redeemed us from sin and death.

Help us, O Spirit of Mercy, to be poured out in charity, so that we can love as Jesus loves, in all that we think, say and do.

May You, O Spirit of Truth, give us the courage to be joyful witnesses to Jesus in our lives, and to always speak the Truth in Love.

Make our lives and homes places where Saints are formed, and where holy Vocations to the Priesthood, Consecrated Life, and Sacramental Marriage are fostered.

Help us, O spirit of Compassion, to see all those who suffer and are in need as You see them — as sisters and brothers in Christ.

May St. Augustine, our diocesan Patron, lead our restless hearts to find rest in You, and may Mary, the Mother of the Church, intercede for us, and lead us always to the Heart of her Divine Son.

Come, Holy Spirit, come into our lives, our parish, and our Diocese, and lead us always to live our lives according to Your holy Will, now and forever. Amen