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PT

Breathe in Me, O Holy Spirit

1 min

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,

That my thoughts may all be holy;

Act in me, O Holy Spirit,

That I love but what is holy;

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,

To defend all that is holy;

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,

That I always may be holy. Amen.

About this prayer

A short prayer to the Holy Spirit for holiness of thought, love, strength and perseverance, traditionally attributed to St. Augustine.

History

The prayer circulates on holy cards under the name of St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430). The attribution is traditional: the verses are not found in his known works, and no early source for them has been identified. Its four petitions follow the pattern of Augustine's teaching that the Spirit is the love of God poured into our hearts.

As printed on holy cards; text from [Catholic Culture, "Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit"](https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1116) (source given there: *Prayers from Various Holy Cards*).

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