NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (Recite before the novena prayer for the day)
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, 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 gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You, asking in Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy One, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say always and everywhere: "Speak Lord, for Your servant hears." Amen.
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DAY 1 - FRIDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: Holy Spirit! God of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!
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, bringing sevenfold gifts enlighten the mind, strengthen the will, and inflame the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation, we should invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helps our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit asks for us."
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who has vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and has given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit - the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and guide us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen. (Our Father & Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at end of novena)
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DAY 2 - SATURDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: Come, Spirit of the poor. Come, treasures which endure. Come, Light of all that live!
The Gift of Fear - The Gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign 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 filial love for our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from 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, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, 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, world without end. Amen. (Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 3 - SUNDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: You, of all Consolers best, visiting the troubled breast, does refreshing peace bestow.
The Gift of Piety - The Gift of Piety begets 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, the 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 labor.
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, 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 lawfully exercised over me. Amen. (Our Father & Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 4 - MONDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: You in toil art comfort sweet, pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.
The Gift of Fortitude - By the Gift of Fortitude, the soul is strengthened against natural fears and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy that move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample human respect underfoot, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end shall be saved."
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, and 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 & Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 5 -TUESDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit these hearts of Yours, And our inmost being fill!
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 pretense of creatures, reveals our emptiness, and points out our 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 them that possess it."
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things that I may eschew vanity and work only for Your glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond earthly goods to You and Your eternal rewards. Amen. (Our Father & Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 6 - WEDNESDAY- Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: If You take Your grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay; all his good is turned to ill.
The Gift of Understanding - Understanding, as a Gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our Holy Religion. By faith we know them, 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 quickened 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, increasing in the knowledge of our God."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation, and thereby merit at last to see the eternal light in Your glorious light; grant us the ultimate vision of You and the Father and the Son. Amen. (Our Father & Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 7 - THURSDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: Heal our wounds-our strength renew; on our dryness pour Your dew, wash the stains of guilt away.
The Gift of Counsel - The Gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be 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 these things, pray to the Most High, that God may direct you in the way of truth."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, 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. (Our Father & Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 8 - FRIDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen, warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!
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 savor, while the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: "Take up your cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, 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 forever. Amen. (Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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DAY 9 - SATURDAY - Recite the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. Then: Descend Holy Spirit, on those who confess and adore You! Fill us with Your sevenfold gift, and as we die, give us life with You on high - give us joys that never end.
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, our 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, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Your heavenly fruits, Your charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, 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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Prayer for the Seven Gifts at the end of the novena)
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PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - (Recite daily at the end of each novena prayer.)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant that same Spirit to us to perfect in our souls the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant us:
The Spirit of Wisdom, that we may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal;
The Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten our minds with the light of Your divine truth;
The Spirit of Counsel, that we may always choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven;
The Spirit of Fortitude, that we may bear our crosses with You and overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose our salvation;
The Spirit of Knowledge, that we may know God and know ourselves and grow perfect in the science of the Saints;
The Spirit of Piety, that we may find the service of God sweet and amiable;
The Spirit of Fear, that we may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark us, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate us in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
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