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
To be recited daily during the Novena
On my knees I 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 heareth." Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena
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 on 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.
The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension,
Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, even if the Solemnity of the
Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday.
FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)
Holy Spirit! Lord 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. 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 hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by
water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness 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 fill us with the
Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter)
Come. Father 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 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.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension)
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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter)
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 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 Thee, my God and greatest
Good. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter)
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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter)
If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his
good is turn'd 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, 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 Thy Light; and in the light of glory to
have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter)
Heal our wounds--our strength renews; 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 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 Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter)
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, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness
according to the words of the Saviour: "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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost)
Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy
sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them
Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen
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 Thy heavenly fruits, Thy
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 Thy inspiration may merit to be
united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
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
To be recited daily during the Novena
On my knees I 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 heareth." Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena
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 on 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.
The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension,
Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, even if the Solemnity of the
Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday.
FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)
Holy Spirit! Lord 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. 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 hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by
water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness 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 fill us with the
Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter)
Come. Father 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 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.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension)
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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter)
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 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 Thee, my God and greatest
Good. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter)
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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter)
If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his
good is turn'd 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, 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 Thy Light; and in the light of glory to
have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter)
Heal our wounds--our strength renews; 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 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 Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter)
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, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness
according to the words of the Saviour: "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 and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost)
Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy
sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them
Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen
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 Thy heavenly fruits, Thy
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 Thy inspiration may merit to be
united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
