Beauty and Reflections for Your Catholic Journey: Filling Your Heart with the Holy Spirit

By Elizabeth Pietrantonio

Filling your heart with the Holy Spirit - Beginning Your Christian Journey: This book has been written to re-engage people with the Christian faith. It isn’t a book that is meant to be read from beginning to end. It is meant to be opened and browsed and once the eyes settle on a passage or a section, to let the heart move with the help of the Holy Spirit. There are introductions for each of the four sections which provide the theology related to the titles: Life in Christ, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Life in Christ, Angels and Saints and Prayer.

Section 1 - Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Theology of the gifts of the Holy Spirit including scripture passages, and quotations from Catechism of the Catholic Church and saints (passages and quotations included in all sections).

Section 2 - Life in Christ - Theology of Grace, Theological and Cardinal Virtues.

Section 3 - Angels and Saints - Theology of angels including guardian angels and saints.

Section 4 - Prayer - Theology of prayer and prayers selected from saints, the bible and Catholic tradition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973694922

Elizabeth Pietrantonio

Elizabeth lives with her husband, Bruno, in Mississauga. She is an engineer who has worked internationally in senior management positions. She has developed a wonderful appreciation of the diversity of cultures through a career that has taken her to many countries including England, Germany, India and China. Elizabeth retired from her position as Associate Dean for Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and is spending her time as a writer and speaker. She was awarded the President’s Award from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers for her volunteer work with their Diversity and Inclusion committee. Elizabeth earned a Masters of Theological Studies degree and is an active member in her parish. She has led confirmation and youth ministries, hosted workshops on Saints and is currently the lead for parish discipleship and evangelization programs. Elizabeth recently published two middle grade fiction books - The Case of the Robot Sabotage and The Case of the locker Room Thief - and credits her joy of storytelling to her grandchildren. She enjoys family time, writing, travel and needlework.

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Copyright © 2020 Elizabeth Pietrantonio.

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher

make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book

and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Image Credit: Sarah Bond and Michelle Douglass

Editor of the Introductions: Janice E. Love

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9493-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9494-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9492-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020911525

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/22/2020

NAB: Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible,

revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,

Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All

Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in

any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

NRSV: [Scripture quotations are] from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright

© 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches

of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy

Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by

Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House

Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NIV: Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International

Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

TM. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Quotations from the Saints, Popes and Theologians are found in many different

open source documents and on-line sources. Quotations from The Catechism

of the Catholic Church are referenced by ‘CCC’ and quotations from The

Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church are referenced by ‘CCC Youth’.

The one-line descriptors under each of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were found on the

Catholic Kids 411 website: https://sites.google.com/site/catholickids411/what-we-believe

DEDICATION

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To my husband, Bruno, for all his support and encouragement on this journey.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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For my grandchildren – Matthew, Benny, William, Isaac, Connor, Myra, Sammy and Naomi—who remind me every day of the power of the Holy Spirit and the joy of storytelling. May God give them hearts to love Him.

For Jacob and Emerie that, one day, this book will open their hearts to the love of Jesus.

For Father Michael Simoes for all his prayers and support, as always.

CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

SECTION 1    GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1.1 - The Seven Gifts

Freely Given

1.2 - Gifts To Keep You On The Path To Holiness

Wisdom

Speech

Beauty

God in All Things

Understanding

Holy Spirit as Counsellor

Trust in the Lord

Lessons

Grace and Love

Ambassadors of Christ

Knowledge

God’s Love

God’s Light

God Gives Us Strength

1.3 - Gifts To Help You Stand Firm

Right Judgement (Counsel)

Responsibility of Judgement

Knowing When to Speak, When to Listen

Courage (Fortitude)

Spirit of the Lord

Grace of Speech

1.4 - Gifts To Help You To Walk The Talk

Reverence (Piety)

The Church

The Holy Spirit

Seeking

Awe (Fear)

Love Everlasting

Strong and Steadfast

Delighting in God

Awe of God

Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Journal

SECTION 2    LIFE IN CHRIST

2.1 - Theological Virtues

God’s Grace

Living in God’s Grace

Humility

2.1.1 - Faith

Stand Firm

Believing

Faith and Works

2.1.2 - Hope

Steadfast Hope

The Kingdom of God

2.1.3 - Charity (Love)

Relationship

Loving Others

Loving God

2.2 - Cardinal Virtues

Free Will

2.2.1 - Prudence

Conscience

Wisdom

Listening to God

Strength In Others

2.2.2 - Temperance

Doing Right

Integrity

Words

2.2.3 - Fortitude

Finding Strength in Despair

Stay the Path

Do Not Fear

2.2.4 - Justice

For Family

For Neighbour

For Governing

Social Justice

Judging

Life In Christ Journal

SECTION 3    ANGELS AND SAINTS

3.1 - Angels

Guardian Angels

3.2 - Saints

Mary Mother of God

Holiness

Communion of Saints

Lessons from the Saints

Angels And Saints Journal

SECTION 4    PRAYER

4.1 - Prayerful Heart

How To Pray

When to Pray

Strength in Prayer

Beauty in Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Perseverance in Prayer

4.2 - Prayers

Angelus Dei

St Nicholas of Flue

Prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity

St Richard of Chichester

St Clement of Rome – Prayer for Political Authorities

St John Vianney

St Benedicta of the Cross

St Augstine of Hippo

The Serenity Prayer – Reinhold Niebuhr

Be Still – Elizabeth Pietrantonio

Psalm 25:1-10NRSV - Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

Psalm 23NRSV - The Divine Shepherd

Psalm 51:1-4,15NRSV - Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

Psalm 139NRSV - The Inescapable God

Psalm 95NRSV - A Call to Worship and Obedience

Psalm 86NRSV - Supplication of Help against Enemies

Psalm 130NRSV - Waiting for Divine Redemption

Psalm 145NRSV - The Greatness and the Goodness of God

Sirach 43:27-32NRSV

Isaiah 45:4-7,12,18,21-25NRSV

Isaiah 12NRSV - Thanksgiving and Praise

St John Vianney – Prayer

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 - David’s Prayer

Psalm 100NRSV - A Psalm of Thanksgiving

St Augustine - Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Beloved of My Soul

Show Me The Way

Kindle the Fire of Your Love

Holy Spirit Novena

Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest (Veni, Creator Spiritus)

Prayer Journal

In Closing – Grace, Mercy, And Peace Be With You

Bibliography

Author Biography

INTRODUCTION

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How does the Holy Spirit help you? How do you make good decisions as a Christian? Why and how do you pray? This book has been compiled from some of the riches of Christian witness to the steadfast love of God over thousands of years to help you as you seek to draw nearer to God.

The journey that became this book began and ended in two very different places—a time of personal prayer with the Bible to a published book. I know without a doubt that it was entirely due to the workings of the Holy Spirit! Following the tugs of the Holy Spirit will always take you somewhere better, placing you where you didn’t even realize you wanted to go.

This journey began with reading the Bible in an ordered way to support my work with discipleship in the parish. I combined the order of the readings from Paul Thigpen’s My Daily Catholic Bible and Coming Home Network’s free guide, Read the Bible and the Catechism in a Year,¹ and began reading on August 1, 2019. I sat at my desk, taking a moment to see the beautiful summer day and hear the sounds of children at play. And, in what became a ritual, I closed my eyes and murmured quietly, Breathe in me, Spirit of God, that I may know what is holy. And my journey began. I read my last verse at the end of October, 2019. As I closed my Bible, I reflected on how this simple daily routine had changed my spiritual life. I was astonished to see how many pages of passages and quotations I had recorded! My faith—a gift from God that opens our eyes to what is true and good—was deeper. My thoughts turned to God more frequently in the day, and I paused longer each time I needed to make a decision, asking: Was I moving closer to God or away from Him?

What started as a personal journey ended as a book written to engage Christians new to faith and those who desire to renew their faith. I hope that, by reading the verses and quotations that moved me, dear Reader, you might be inspired by the Holy Spirit to go further—to read more, to ask more, to embrace more. I hope that this book helps you along your own journey. My prayers are with you, beloved Reader, as you commit to a life in Christ.

The readings and quotations are organized into four main categories: Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Life in Christ, Angels and Saints, and Prayer. I am not an academic theologian. These categories just seem right. When you pray, look to the Holy Spirit for inspiration and guidance. Look to Jesus for mercy, compassion, and matters of the heart. If you need strength and protection, imagine your guardian angel sitting beside you, and call on Mother Mary for all the times you need comfort and guidance in your family life. The saints provide motivation and teachings in our day to day world—their courage, their wisdom, their discipline. And focus your whole spiritual life on moments of prayer.

Take your time with this book—it was never intended to be read in order from beginning to end. It is my hope that the writings in this book might jump out at you as you flip through the sections. Then, when that happens, pause. Be silent. Open your heart to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

It is my deep desire that God will give you a heart to love Him. I hope that somewhere in these pages, a verse or a quotation will rest in your heart and give you the desire to read more, look farther, and take on the armor of your faith.

Saint Paul will end this Introduction in words that speak to my heart and now, I hope, to yours.

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,…For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus….Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents.²

SECTION 1

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GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a

spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."³

Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.⁴ "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the