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.
*Directory on Popular Piety & the Liturgy – Principles & Guidelines. See #155
How to Pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit
Each day of the novena begins with the Sign of the Cross. This is followed by an Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit and a prayer for that day. The day’s prayers conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Bes.
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.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
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 Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 2 – For the Gift of Wisdom
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
Amen.
Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 3 – For the Gift of Understanding
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
Amen.
Prayer for the Gift of Understanding
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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 Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 4 – For the Gift of Counsel
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
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 Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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 Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples
and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 5 – For the Gift of Fortitude
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
Amen.
Prayer for the Gift of Fortitude
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven
did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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 Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee
and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples
and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 6 – For the Gift of Knowledge
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
Amen.
Prayer for the Gift of Knowledge
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven
did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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 Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples
and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 7 – For the Gift of Piety
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
Amen.
Prayer for the Gift of Piety
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven
did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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 Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples
and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Novena to the Holy Spirit: Day 8 – For the Gift of Holy Fear
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
Amen.
Prayer for the Gift of Holy Fear
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven
did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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 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.
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.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
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 have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by my unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Make me faithful in every thought and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice,
watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and I ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood, and adoring his open 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
with the sin which Thou will not forgive.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thy servant hears.”
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 Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine 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.
Concluding Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all our 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 (once)
Glory Be (seven times)
Daily Prayer 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 Saint Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit part of your daily prayers. It’s a wonderful way to call upon our Helper and Guide.
