A Novena in Preparation for Pentecost May 10 – 18, 2024
A Novena (from Latin: novem, “nine”) is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in the Church, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks.
The original Novena, kept by the Apostles, Mary, and the other disciples, at the express command of the risen Christ from the day of our Lord’s Ascension to the Day of Pentecost, is described in Acts 1:4, 12-14. This Novena follows Our Lord’s direction to remain in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Begin each day with the following:
O Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life, we adore thee and humbly acknowledge here in thy sacred presence that we are nothing and can do nothing without the life and breath thou dost give. Come, advocate and guide into all truth. Come, source of strength and wisdom. Come and fulfill the promise of our Savior that we would not be left as orphans. Come and enter into our minds and hearts as on the day of Pentecost. Grant that we may also receive the gifts poured out on the disciples and the Blessed Mother of Jesus. Amen.
Take from our hearts all that is not pleasing to thee and make them a worthy dwelling place for Jesus. Illumine our minds that we may see and understand the things that are for our eternal well-being. Kindle in our hearts the pure love of God, teaching us to love God in all things and above all things, that we might receive all things with gratitude and use them to God’s purposes. Strengthen our wills that they may be conformed to the will of our creator and guided by holy inspiration. Aid us to practice the virtues seen in the earthly life of Jesus. Amen.
Descend upon us, O mighty Spirit, that inspired and encouraged by thee, we may faithfully fulfill the duties of our life and vocation, that we carry our cross with patience and courage and accomplish more nearly thy perfect will. Make us day by day more holy and give to us that heavenly peace which the world cannot give. Amen.
O Holy Spirit, thou giver of every good and perfect gift, inspire our prayer and grant us the intention which moves us to pray earnestly, with hope and expectation. Amen.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray but the Spirit intercedes for us in sighs too deep for words. – Romans 8
Here, offer the particular need that you bring to these prayers, the insight or wisdom you seek, and the uncertainty or the challenge you face. Offer your intention before the presence of the Holy Spirit and wait in quiet, knowing that the Spirit’s voice is heard in silence.
The Veni Creator Spiritus may be said or sung:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.
Thy blessèd unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
with the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One,
that through the ages all along,
this may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of thy love. Amen.
Then offer one of the following prayers. Days 2-8 focus on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, (Isaiah 11:2-3); the last day focuses on the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
Friday, May 10: Come, Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life; be our guide in perplexity, defend us from error and lead us to truth; grant that we may know and do what is right and be in us a fountain of living water springing up into life everlasting. AMEN
Saturday, May 11: Come, O Spirit of wisdom, and help us to know God revealed in the Word made flesh, the promise of grace and the hope of glory. AMEN
Sunday, May 12: Come, O Spirit of understanding, and teach us to know ourselves and recognize God’s call to us in our daily life and work. AMEN
Monday, May 13: Come, O Spirit of counsel, guide us in right pathways, turn us away from evil, and lead us by thy commandments to the joy of eternal life. AMEN
Tuesday, May 14: Come, O Spirit of fortitude, give us courage and determination, that in all distress and uncertainty, we may with a calm and confident spirit remain strong in faith, patient in hope, and constant in love. AMEN
Wednesday, May 15: Come, O Spirit of knowledge, grant that we may know and accept the will of God, that recognizing the true value of the things of this world, we may use them rightly, and always with thanksgiving. AMEN
Thursday, May 16: Come, O Spirit of piety, and help us to love God with all our heart and soul and strength, that we may find in thee our best and truest joy. AMEN
Friday, May 17: Come, Spirit of holy fear, that we may stand in awe of God, never presuming on mercy and never forgetting before whom we must account for our life, our actions, and our words. AMEN
Saturday May 18: Come, O bountiful spirit, and bring forth in our life the manifold fruits of thy presence and create in us: Love toward God and our neighbor, Joy and wonder in all God’s work, The peace that Jesus promises, Patience born of faith and hope, Kindness that reflects God’s mercy, Generosity that uses all as God intends, Faithfulness that is constant and reliable, Gentleness that we may do harm to no one, Self-control that our life will conform to the mind of Christ. AMEN
Each day after the Daily Prayer and another period of silence, close by praying:
OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. AMEN
May the Father’s will be done in and through us; may we follow more nearly the call of Jesus our Lord, ᛭ and may thou, O mighty Spirit of the Living God, be praised and glorified forever and ever. AMEN
O Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life, we adore thee and humbly acknowledge here in thy sacred presence that we are nothing and can do nothing without the life and breath thou dost give. Come, advocate and guide into all truth. Come, source of strength and wisdom. Come and fulfill the promise of our Savior that we would not be left as orphans. Come and enter into our minds and hearts as on the day of Pentecost. Grant that we may also receive the gifts poured out on the disciples and the Blessed Mother of Jesus. AMEN.
Take from our hearts all that is not pleasing to thee and make them a worthy dwelling place for Jesus. Illumine our minds that we may see and understand the things that are for our eternal well-being. Kindle in our hearts the pure love of God, teaching us to love God in all things and above all things, that we might receive all things with gratitude and use them to God’s purposes. Strengthen our wills that they may be conformed to the will of our creator and guided by holy inspiration. Aid us to practice the virtues seen in the earthly life of Jesus. AMEN.
