Novena to the Holy Spirit
The Novena to the Holy Spirit, or the Pentecost Novena, is traditionally prayed nine days before the feast of Pentecost. But you can pray it any time during the year as well, when you seek to pray for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
What is the Novena to the Holy Spirit?
“And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49, NABRE
The Acts of the Apostles tells us that after this command, the apostles went back into the city and returned to the upper room. There, together with Mary and the other women who were with them, they devoted themselves to prayer until the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This is why the Pentecost Novena, which traces its origins to the apostles’ prayers in that room*, is regarded as the first of all novenas ever prayed.
Here, you can find a traditional version of this novena written by the Holy Ghost Fathers in the early 20th Century.
*Directory on Popular Piety & the Liturgy – Principles & Guidelines. See #155
Traditional Novena to the Holy Spirit
Each day of the novena begins with the Sign of the Cross. This is followed by the meditation and prayer for that day, one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Bes. The day’s prayers conclude with the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit and the prayer for the seven gifts.
Click on each day’s link to find the entire novena prayer for that day.
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light!
From Your clear celestial height,
Your 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 hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, 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, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 2 – For the Gift of Fear
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 3 – For the Gift of Piety
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 4 – For the Gift of Fortitude
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 5 – For the Gift of Knowledge
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 6 – For the Gift of Understanding
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 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 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, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 7 – For the Gift of Counsel
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 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. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 8 – For the Gift of Wisdom
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 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 (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 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 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 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, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Other Prayers to the Holy Spirit
Praying to the Holy Spirit is one of the most precious privileges we have as Christians.
Once you complete this novena, consider making one of these prayers a part of your daily time with God. Some are short enough to pray as soon as you get up, even before your feet hit the floor.
