THE HOLY SPIRIT NOVENA
Introduction
The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.
This nine-day period bridges the time from Ascension Thursday (forty days after Easter Sunday) until Pentecost Sunday. As such, the Novena begins on the day after the traditional date of the Solemnity of the Ascension (i.e., Friday in the Sixth Week of Easter), even if the Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to replace the Seventh Sunday of Easter (as is customary in Canada).
The prayers for each day of the Novena consist of:
-
- a verse from the Sequence of Pentecost
- a reflection on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- a daily prayer for a particular Gift
- a Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, and
- a closing prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Copies of the Novena booklet will be made available at the church.
The prayers for Day 1 of the Novena will be prayed in the church on Friday 30 May 2025 after the 8:30 a.m. Mass.
The prayers for Day 2 of the Novena will be prayed in the church on Saturday 31 May 2025 after the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
The prayers for Days 4 to 9 of the Novena will be prayed after the morning Masses Monday 2 June until Saturday 7 June 2025.
DAY ONE ■ Friday in the Sixth Week of Easter
Leader:
In the name of the Father, † and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
All:
Holy Spirit, Lord, divine,
Come from heights of heaven and shine,
Come with blessed radiance bright.
Leader: Let us reflect upon the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Reader:
Only one thing is important – eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared – sin! Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes” for us (Romans 8:26).
Leader:
Almighty and eternal God,
All:
who brought us to new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, freeing us from sin: send upon us, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete; give us the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and piety; fill us with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY TWO ■ Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter
All:
Come, O Father of the poor,
Come, whose treasured gifts ensure,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Fear of the Lord.
Reader:
The gift of Fear fills us with supreme respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and child-like submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom (Cf. Proverbs 9:10), detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts, and humble themselves before him” (Sirach 2:17).
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear,
All:
Come and penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set You, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY THREE ■ Seventh Sunday of Easter (or, if transferred, Ascension Sunday)
All:
Of concolers, wisest, best,
And our soul's most welcome guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Piety.
Reader:
The gift of Piety stirs up within in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect, for His sake, persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labour.
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Piety,
All:
Come and possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY FOUR ■ Monday in the Seventh Week of Easter
All:
In our labour, rest most sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Consolation in our woes.
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Fortitude.
Reader:
By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Fortitude,
All:
Come and uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY FIVE ■ Tuesday in the Seventh Week of Easter
All:
Light most blessed, shine with grace
In our heart's most secret place,
Fill your faithful through and through.
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Knowledge.
Reader:
The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. It is “is a fountain of life to one who has it” (Cf. Proverbs 16:22).
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Knowledge,
All:
Come and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Your glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to You, and Your eternal rewards. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY SIX ■ Wednesday in the Seventh Week of Easter
All:
Left without your presence here,
Life itself would disappear,
Nothing thrives apart from you!
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Understanding.
Reader:
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. We know them by Faith, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be stirred up to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, and grow in the knowledge of God” (Cf. Colossians 1:10).
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Understanding,
All:
Come and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Your Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of You and the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY SEVEN ■ Thursday in the Seventh Week of Easter
All:
Cleanse our soiled hearts of sin,
Arid souls refresh within,
Wounded lives to health restore.
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Counsel.
Reader:
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all pray to the Most High that He may direct your way in truth” (Sirach 37:15).
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Counsel,
All:
Come and help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Your holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Your commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY EIGHT ■ Friday in the Seventh Week of Easter
All:
Bend the stubborn heart and will,
Melt the frozen, warm the chill,
Guide the wayward home once more!
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Gift of Wisdom.
Reader:
Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written, “All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth” (Wisdom 7:11). It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish divine things, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, while the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: “Take up your cross and follow Me, for my yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Cf. Matthew 16:24, 11:30).
Leader:
O blessed Spirit of Wisdom,
All:
Come and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
DAY NINE ■ Saturday in the Seventh Week of Easter (Vigil of Pentecost)
All:
On the faithful who are true
and profess their faith in you,
In your seven-fold gifts descend!
Give us virtue's sure reward,
Give us your salvation, Lord,
Give us joys that never end!
Leader: Let us reflect upon the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Reader:
The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God.
Leader:
Come, O Divine Spirit,
All:
Fill my heart with Your heavenly fruits, Your charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Your inspiration may merit to be united eternally with You in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father... ×1
Hail, Mary... ×1
Glory be...×7
Consecration to the Holy Spirit
Leader:
Before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
All:
I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and have my being. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.” Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Leader:
O Lord Jesus Christ,
All:
Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the company of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
Short Litany and Sign of the Cross
Leader:
Mary, Mother of the Church,
All:
pray for us.
Leader:
Saint Peter and Saint Paul,
All:
pray for us.
Leader:
Saint Patrick,
All:
pray for us.
Leader:
In the name of the Father, † and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
