As the world awaits the selection of a new pope, parents and teachers have a great opportunity to teach children about the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives and in the Church.
We can introduce kids of all ages to the short yet powerful prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
The power of asking Him to “come”
A few years ago, Pope Francis gave a lesson specifically about praying to the Holy Spirit. I found it helpful to look back at what he said.
Pope Francis explained that praying to the Holy Spirit is much simpler than we might think. It doesn't require complicated formulas. The essential word is simply asking Him, “Come”:
In difficult moments, you need to ask: “Holy Spirit, come.” The key word is this: come. Come. But you need to say it yourself in your own words. Come, because I find myself in difficulty. Come, because I am in the dark. Come, because I don’t know what to do. Come, because I am about to fall. Come. Come. This is the Holy Spirit’s word – how to call upon the Spirit. Let us learn to invoke the Holy Spirit often.
Just as a child might call for a parent when they need help, we can learn to call upon the Holy Spirit when we need guidance, comfort, or strength.
Praying together with the Church
Leading up to and during the conclave, we can help children connect their prayers to the larger Church by introducing them to the beautiful “Veni Creator Spiritus” hymn. Here is a part of it:
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Explain how the cardinals are praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance to choose the right shepherd for our Church.
During family prayer time, you might light a candle symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit -- maybe a red candle if you can find one.
Before and during the conclave, you might add this prayer to your family’s regular prayers:
Holy Spirit, please guide the cardinals to choose the pope who will best lead our Church. Come, Holy Spirit, come!
The Spirit brings joy
Perhaps the most important thing we can share with children is that the Holy Spirit brings true joy. When we pray “Come, Holy Spirit,” we're inviting God's love, peace, and happiness into our hearts.
As Pope Francis said, “When the Holy Spirit comes, joy, true joy comes.”
This is a powerful lesson for children (and for us, too!). Prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about inviting God to be present in our lives and lead us every step of the way.
As we prepare for the conclave, we can help our children understand that the same Spirit who guides the Church also guides them in their daily lives — even in the smallest part.
