The feast of Pentecost is extremely special to the parishioners of St Peter's Church, Carenage, and every year they eagerly await the nine days of the novena leading up to this day, the birthday of the Church.

This year was no different and they prepared themselves by having very dynamic speakers enlighten them on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they made the journey led by their beloved parish priest, Fr Carlyle Guiseppi, CSSp.

The novena to the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas and the only one officially prescribed by the Church. It is a powerful plea for the love so sorely needed, especially in today's world.

What better person to start our journey but Fr Robert Llanos, who spoke on the Holy Spirit, the spirit of light, strength and love. He spoke about the seven gifts. "Without these gifts we can do nothing," he said, adding that we ought to call on the Holy Spirit to shower us with them. He elaborated on love and the immense effect it should have on us all.

"To be able to transform our lives, our society and our homes," Fr George Pritchett said, "we must have the gift of knowledge." In this world today, he said, there was a great need of the knowledge of God, not only talking knowledge but living knowledge, which will give a true perspective of all earthly things. We must have a personal love of God and a union with Christ, which will enable us to grow in holiness by the word of God, Fr George added.

A different approach was taken by Kay Pierre, who led us in praise at the start of her talk. She then encouraged us to keep calling on God's spirit, which will bring to us everything the Church lacks.

He will rekindle the fire of our love, renew the family, renew every situation and really overflow in us; we only have to ask for it. She encouraged us to ask God to pour out His spirit in our homes, in our jobs and in our lives and we will surely see a change.

The use of obscene language shows there is no fear of God, said the remarkable and pious Fr Michael Makhan, who asked us to spend some quiet moments in prayer every day during which we ask for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Pray for a spiritual revolution just like the cruel man Saul. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom but not the earthly wisdom which gratifies the flesh. If we have the fear of the Lord we will not offend God but revere Him in a special way," he said.

We can have all the talents of the world but, without wisdom, we will not be able to use them correctly, said Keith Patrick, who noted that wisdom was considered the supreme gift of all.

The speakers were all extremely dynamic, including Kyle Dardaine, Mikkail Trestrail, and Clayton de Freitas from Living Water Community. But the highlight of the week was the electrifying Janet Chinnia, who took us on a spiritual high when she said that whenever the Holy Spirit takes over, He sanctifies us wholly.

He helps us to fight the battles that take place within us constantly. She said heaven must start right here within us by us knowing God, serving God and loving God. We must ask the Holy Spirit to be with us daily.

With her team, Janet ended the novena by praising and worshipping the Holy Spirit in her powerful manner, and by anointing everyone with holy oil.

All were able to receive the sacrament of confession from Fr Makhan, to whom the parishioners are extremely grateful. The celebration of Holy Mass followed, enhanced by the beautiful and powerful choir that was assisted by the "sweet" voice of our priest, Fr Guiseppi.

Thank you Fr Guiseppi for giving your parishioners this glorious opportunity once more. Already, we look forward to next year.