Novena to the Holy Spirit
What is a novena? A novena is a traditional prayer devotion in which a particular set of prayers are said for nine consecutive days. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commanded his apostles to “wait for the promise of the Father” in Jerusalem. Nine days later the apostles celebrated the Jewish feast of Pentecost and God fulfilled his promise by sending the Holy Spirit. This was the first “novena.”
In preparing our hearts for Pentecost Sunday, together let us commit ourselves to praying a novena to the Holy Spirit, imitating the example of Mary and the apostles who prayed intensely in the upper room. Traditionally, the novena to the Holy Spirit begins ten days prior to Pentecost.
Day 1 - After Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, the disciples were afraid, and they stayed in the upper room with the doors locked. The risen Christ appeared to them many times, and they believed and rejoiced. Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended to the Father. He told them that he must go to the Father so that the Holy Spirit might be sent. Jesus told them to wait in the city until they had been clothed in the power from on high. He said “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.”
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts 2:1-4
The prophet Isaiah tells us about the gifts of the Spirit. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2
We received the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, they are brought to life and strengthened. Reflect on one of these gifts each day and pray in a special way for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our parish, our family and in ourselves. Follow with the prayers to the Holy Spirit below. In concluding your prayer, integrate the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
Holy Spirit, we offer ourselves to you.
Give us grace to say to you always and everywhere,
“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Day 2 – Fear of the Lord/Reverence
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Fear of the Lord and Reverence so that we may be reminded how small we are before God, our Father, who loves us so much.
Day 3 – Piety/ Delight in the Fear of the Lord
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Piety and stir in us gratitude and praise and joy to be children of God.
Day 4 – Fortitude (Strength)
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Strength and Fortitude so that we might have the courage to do what is right.
Day 5 – Knowledge
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Knowledge so that we may come to know God more and more each day.
Day 6 – Understanding
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Understanding so that we might understand the things that happen as God understands them, and recognize how God is working in our lives
Day 7 – Counsel
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Counsel, the right judgement to see what is right and what is wrong, to see the best way to follow God's plan, to bring light to our heart and to recognize the Lord’s will.
Day 8 – Wisdom
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2. Giver of Life, grant us Wisdom, the wisdom of God that teaches us to see with God’s eyes, to feel with God’s heart, to speak with God’s words.
Day 9 – The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. Galatians 5: 22-23. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit….by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:17-20.