In the Acts of the Apostles, we know that after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the disciples went back to Jerusalem, went to the upper room where they were staying, and “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:13-14). Our spiritual practice of novenas (nine days of prayer for a specific purpose) is patterned after this period of waiting by Jesus’ disciples. When that period of prayerful waiting was over, “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 of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:2-4).
There are many Holy Spirit Novenas accessible with a quick internet search, but I thought I’d share this simple one. Today is Friday, May 11th, and this is the day to begin the Novena below. As one of my good priest friends likes to remind people, don’t get discouraged if you miss a day or start late. The Lord is pleased with your desire to prepare yourself for Pentecost, so let’s all use these nine days to get ready for a renewal of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and world.
The Novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the original novena, of which
all other novenas are only imitations. Jesus Christ Himself instituted this novena
when, on the day of His ascension, He sent His Apostles back to Jerusalem to
pray for nine days so that they might be ready on the tenth day, which was
Pentecost, to receive the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
First Day Holy Spirit, Lord of light, from your clear celestial
height, Your pure beaming radiance give.
Let us pray
O God who has taught the hearts of your faithful by the light of the Holy
Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Second Day Come thou father of the poor, Come with treasures which
endure, Come thou light of all that live.
Let us pray
O Holy Spirit, thou father of the poor, come fill my poverty-stricken soul
out of the plenty of thy eternal riches. Warn me, I beg thee, of every
opportunity in my daily round of duty, to lay up treasures where no thief
approaches nor moth corrupts, that I may enjoy them together with you forever.
Amen
Third Day Thou of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast,
Do refreshing peace bestow.
Let us pray
O Divine Consoler, and of all Comforters the best, to you do we come in
trouble and distress. Do thou, in the all-powerful name of Jesus, our Redeemer,
and out of love for Mary, our sorrowful Mother and your chaste Spouse, come to
our assistance and comfort us in all our trials and tribulations. Amen
Fourth Day Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the
heat, Solace in the midst of woe.
Let us pray
O God, who did give the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, grant to your people the
effect of their pious prayers, that on those to whom you have given grace, you
may also bestow peace. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Fifth Day Light immortal, light divine, Visit these hearts of thine And our inmost being
fill.
Let us pray
May the Paraclete, who proceeds from you, enlighten our minds, we beseech
thee, O Lord; and even as your Son has promised, may he lead us into all truth.
Amen
Sixth Day If you take your grace away, Nothing pure in us will stay;
All our good is turned to ill.
Let us pray
Send down, we beseech you O Lord, the Holy Spirit in his might, to the
merciful purifying of our hearts and to our sure deliverance from all danger.
You, who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen
Seventh Day Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour
your dew; Wash the stains of guilt away.
Let us pray
Burn up, O Lord, our reins and our hearts in the fire of the Holy Spirit;
that chaste of body and clean of heart, our service may be well pleasing to
you. You, who lives and reigns world
without end. Amen
Eighth Day Bend the stubborn heart and will, Melt the frozen, warm
the chill, Guide the steps that go astray.
Let us pray
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our hearts; give to all peoples the
brightness of your light, that they may be well pleasing to you in unity of
faith. Amen
Ninth Day You on those who evermore, You we confess and You we adore,
In your sevenfold gift descend.
Give them comfort when they die. Give them life with you on high, Give them
joys which never end.
Let us pray
Send down upon us, we beseech you, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, that, inspired
and encouraged by him, we may comply with the duties of our state, carry our
daily crosses patiently, and grow daily in Christian perfection. Grant us, we
beseech you, through the same Divine Spirit, the intentions of this novena or
what is most conducive to our eternal salvation and your glory. Amen
