(9 days before Pentecost)
Foreword
The novena to the Holy Ghost is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at
the direction of Our Lord when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the
coming of the Holy Ghost 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, strength and love so sorely needed by
every Christian.
FIRST DAY
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light!
From Thy clear celestial height.
Thy pure beaming radiance give!
THE HOLY GHOST
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
Ghost 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
helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the
Spirit Himself asketh for us.”
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who has vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy
Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven
upon us Thy 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.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
ACT OF CONSECRATION to the HOLY GHOST
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul
and body, to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the
unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength
and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest
sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch
for Thy light, and listen to Thy voice, and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling
to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee, by Thy 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 Thee, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father
and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak Lord, for Thy servant
heareth.” Amen.
PRAYER for the SEVEN GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven, didst promise to send the Holy
Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant
the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and
Thy 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 Thy 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 Thee 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; 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 Thy true disciples and
animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
SECOND DAY
Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou 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 submission to our
heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from
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, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set Thee,
my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend
Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in
heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God,
world without end. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
THIRD DAY
Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost 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, 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.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FOURTH DAY
Thou 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 fear, and supported
to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and
energy which move it to undertake 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 troubles 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 Thee,
my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FIFTH DAY
Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
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 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 possesseth 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
Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SIXTH DAY
If Thou take Thy 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 Ghost, 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 of Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the
Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SEVENTH DAY
Heal our wounds our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy 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 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 Thy commandments to that goal of eternal
life for which I long. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
EIGHTH DAY
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 come 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, whilst the Cross
of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: “Take up
thy 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.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
NINTH DAY
Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore
In Thy sevenfold gifts, descend:
Give them comfort when they die;
Give the life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.
THE FRUITS of the HOLY GHOST
The gifts of the Holy Ghost 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 Ghost, our service becomes
more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue becomes more perfect. Such acts of
virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the
Holy Ghost. 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 Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy,
peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may
never weary on the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy
inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and
the Son. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father (seven times)
Act of Consecration
Prayer for the Seven Gifts
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PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST
Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of
Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created;
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray — Oh God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of
the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever
rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From the Roman Missal).
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