Novena to the Holy Spirit
Invocation of the Holy Spirit by Pope John XXIII
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your
Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother
of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our
Divine Savior, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen.”
Prayer For The Seven Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
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 the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of
Your grace and Your Love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise
the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are
eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your
divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of
pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my
cross 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 science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I
may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may
be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to
displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and
animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
FIRST DAY
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
love of God. To ensure our salvation, we ought to 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 Himself asks for us."
Prayer:
Almighty and eternal God, Who has promised to regenerate us by water and the
Holy Spirit, and has given us forgiveness of all sins, 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 fill us with the
Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
SECOND DAY
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 submission to 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, God world without end. Amen.
THIRD DAY
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, His
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 his 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. Amen.
FOURTH DAY
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 imparts to the will an
impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most
arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to
endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He
that shall persevere unto the end, he 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, give me
courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome
and separated from You, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
FIFTH DAY
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 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 that possesses 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 realize their
vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever
beyond them to You, and Your eternal rewards. Amen.
SIXTH DAY
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, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Prayer:
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know
and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the
eternal light in Your Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of You
and the Father and the Son. Amen.
SEVENTH DAY
The Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel endows 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, 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 thy
way in truth."
Prayer:
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always
do Thy 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. Amen.
EIGHTH DAY
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 for ever. Amen.
NINTH DAY
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, 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.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
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 and ask
You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the
pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His
Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You,
Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, 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 for Your servant is
listening." Amen.