Preparing for Pentecost
Come Holy Spirit
Novena from Ascension
to Pentecost
FOREWORD
The novena in honour 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 that 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.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena
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 am. 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 inspirations. I give myself to you and ask you, by your compassion, to watch over me in my weakness. Mindful of the wounds of Jesus and with trust in his Precious Blood I implore you, Holy Spirit, Helper in my need, 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 your servant is listening.” Amen.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created,
and you will renew the face of the earth.
Father, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending them the light of the Holy Spirit. In that Spirit give us right judgement and the joy of his comfort and guidance.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena
Lord Jesus Christ, before you ascended into heaven you promised to send the Holy Spirit to bring to completion your work in the hearts, minds and lives of your Apostles and Disciples.
Fill me with the presence of the same Holy Spirit that he may perfect in my soul, the work of your grace and your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may never be bound to the passing things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal.
Fill me with:
- the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth,
- the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven,
- the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear the crosses of my life 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 imitation of the Saints,
- the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God joyful and desirable, and
- the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and avoid all that would displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of your true disciples, and help me to grow and live in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension,
14th May
14th MAY: DAY ONE The Feast of St Matthias
The Holy Spirit
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 the love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, because the Spirit comes to us in our needs. When we don’t know what to say, it is the Spirit who speaks within us.
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you have given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and you have given us forgiveness all sins. We ask you to pour upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Adoration and Reverence. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
15th MAY: DAY TWO
The Gift of Fear
The gift of Fear fills us with a profound respect for God, and makes us continually avoid the weakness of sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but the living presence of God within us and a desire to respond to his immense love for us. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from immersing ourselves in the worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls.”
Prayer
Come and fill me, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear. Penetrate my inmost heart so that I may honour, obey and prefer you and my Lord Jesus and my Father God above all else. Help me to despise all things that offend you, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of your Divine Majesty in heaven, where you live and reign forever in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
16thh MAY: DAY THREE The Seventh Sunday of Easter
The Gift of Piety
The gift of Piety creates in our hearts a deep affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for his sake all people and things consecrated to him, as well as those who act with his Divine authority, Mary Mother of the Saviour and the Saints, the Church and its visible head the Pope, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. The person who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of the faith, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labour.
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Blessed Spirit of Piety. Possess my heart. Purify me. Humble me. Enkindle in me such a love for God that I may be satisfied only in his service and lovingly submit to all legitimate authority for the sake of your kingdom. Make me increasingly uncomfortable with everything that is evil, so that I turn away from it and live only in you. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
17th MAY: DAY FOUR
The Gift of Fortitude
By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude provides us an impulse and energy which moves us to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to disregard human glory, and to endure without complaint the hardships and difficulties that life brings in its various circumstances and situations. “He who endures to the end shall be saved.
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude. Protect my soul in times of trouble and adversity. Sustain my efforts in holiness, strengthen me in my weakness, and give me courage against all the assaults and temptations of my enemies, that I may not be overcome and separated from you, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
18th MAY: DAY FIVE
The Gift of Knowledge
The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth ~ in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretence 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. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him who possesses it.”
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father in all things, in every moment of every day. Give me an awareness of the pointlessness of earthly things and the ugliness of unholy desires, that I may stay pure in all my decisions and use the things of this world only if they bring you glory. Tell me what I need to know for my salvation and for the service of others. Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
19th MAY: DAY SIX
The Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our Faith. By faith we come to know these truths, 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 grow and develop 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 “walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten my mind, that I may accept and believe the mysteries of salvation and the truths of your kingdom in order to stay on the path to heaven and serve your kingdom in my daily life. Help me to discern what is evil, and enlighten me so that I may be holy here on earth and live forever in the light of your glory with a clear vision of you and the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
20th MAY: DAY SEVEN
The Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel fills 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, priests, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct your way in truth.”
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Counsel. Help me and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do your holy will. Transform my heart to prefer only what 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, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
21st MAY: DAY EIGHT
The Gift of Wisdom
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 with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” 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 things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their attraction, while the Cross of Christ reveals a certain divine attraction according to the words of the Saviour: “Take up your cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.”
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, in their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth and to prefer your wisdom over the so-called wisdom of this world. Help me to grow in your wisdom, especially during temptations, trials, and all the daily challenges that I face. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
22nd MAY: DAY NINE
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
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, to serve Whom is to reign.
Prayer
Come and fill me, O Divine Spirit. Fill my heart with your heavenly fruits: your Love for others, your Joy, your Peace, your Kindness, your Generosity, your Faithfulness, your Gentleness, and your temperance for Self-Control, that I may never weary in the service of God. Keep me close to you so that my life produces your fruits in ever-increasing abundance. Help me to continually and faithfully submit to your divine inspiration so that I will be united eternally with you in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father Act of Consecration Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
The Roman Catholic Parish of St Mary and St Augustine Webster 