Prayer to the Holy Spirit before reading Sacred Scripture

Dated February 14, 2026, Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs, Co-Patrons of Europe.

“The Holy Spirit, whose anointing permeates our whole being, is the interior Master of Christian prayer. He is the artisan of the living tradition of prayer. To be sure, there are as many paths of prayer as there are persons who pray, but it is the same Spirit acting in all and with all. It is in the communion of the Holy Spirit that Christian prayer is prayer in the Church” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2672).

The Holy Spirit inspired human authors to write the Sacred Scriptures. It is by that same Holy Spirit that one should read the Sacred Scriptures. Some Catholics have the habit of offering this prayer before the reading of Sacred Scripture either by oneself or with others.

What you’ll receive (instant PDF download, US Letter, front and back):

• One card per page — ideal for professional printing
• Four cards per page — print at home and cut out
• Card size: approx. 3.7 × 4.25 in
• Unlimited downloads after purchase

Printing your cards

• At home: use the 4-cards-per-page file. Print double-sided (flip on long edge) at 100% / “Actual size” on cardstock, then cut along the crop marks.
• At a print shop: upload the file to FedEx Office or your local copy shop, choose cardstock and double-sided printing, and ask for the cards to be cut along the crop marks.
• Larger quantities: 4LPI prints full-color, double-sided prayer cards in custom sizes; send them the 1-card-per-page file.

The Catechetical Institute does not endorse any printing service; these are offered as options.

Free to share. Print as many cards as you need for your family, parish, or classroom. Donations to support the Catechetical Institute are welcome at give.franciscanathome.com.

Prayer by Dr. Mark Ginter. © Gardener’s Servant Productions. Offered with permission.