Eighteenth Day
The apostles were certainly in a worthy condition to receive the Holy Ghost; they received Him in His fulness, and the effects of His coming were soon manifest in them. They could no longer contain themselves in silence in that upper chamber; they were compelled to give utterance to the truth. They received the gifts of the Holy Ghost, gifts which are the result of the enlightenment coming from the Spirit of God. We do not receive the Holy Ghost in the form of fiery tongues at Confirmation, but we receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord. Let us see what these gifts are, that we may know that we possess them, and by our study develop them, that they may not remain idle in our souls. We must stir up the grace that is in us; we must, during this month, pray that these gifts may find opportunities for exercise. The apostles showed in their lives that these gifts were theirs in all perfection. In a lesser or greater degree we may possess them also, for these virtues should be in every Christian soul as a result of the visitation of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer.
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.