Category: Prayers and Devotions

The Ascension of Our Lord – NOVENA to the HOLY GHOST

Start Novena on Friday, nine days before the feast of Pentecost

 FOREWORD

The novena in honor of the Holy Ghost 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 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 and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

 HOW TO PRAY THE NOVENA

Each day the meditation and prayer for the particular day is said, followed by one (1) Our Father, one (1) Hail Mary and seven (7) Glory be to the Fathers, the Act of Consecration and the Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

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,
so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You.
Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, 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 GHOST

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 OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Veni, Sancte Spíritus Et emítte cœlitus Lucis tuæ rádium.
Come Holy Ghost, and send forth from heaven the ray of Thy light.

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
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

 SECOND DAY OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Veni, pater páuperum, Veni, dator múnerum: Veni, lumen córdium.
Come, Father of the poor; Come, giver of gifts; Come, light of hearts.

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
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

 THIRD DAY OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Consolátor óptime, Dulcis hospes ánimæ, Dulce refrigérium.
Thou best consoler, Sweet guest of the soul, Sweet coolness.

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 OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

In labóre réquies, In æstu tempéries, In fletu solátium.
In labor, rest; In heat, refreshment; In tears, solace.

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 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
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

 FIFTH DAY OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

O lux beatíssima, Reple cordis íntima Tuórum fidélium.
O most blessed Light, Fill Thou the inmost recesses Of the hearts of Thy faithful.

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 OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Sine tuo númine, Nihil est in hómine, Nihil est innóxium.
Without Thy divine assistance There is nothing in man, Nothing harmless.

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
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

 SEVENTH DAY OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Lava quod est sórdidum, Riga quod est áridum Sana quod est sáucium.
Cleanse what is base, Bedew what is parched, Heal what is wounded.

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
• Hail Mary
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

 EIGHTH DAY OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Flecte quod est rígidum, Fove quod est frígidum, Rege quod est dévium.
Bend what is rigid, Warm what is chilled, Guide what is 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
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

 NINTH DAY OF THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Da tuis fidélibus, In te confidéntibus, Sacrum septenárium. Da virtútis méritum, Da salútis éxitum, Da perénne gáudium. Amen.
Give to Thy faithful Confiding in Thee Thy sevenfold gifts. Give them the reward of virtue; Give them a happy death; Give them eternal joy. 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
• Glory be to the Father (seven times)
• Act of Consecration
• Prayer for the Seven Gifts

© 1912 Congregatio Sancti Spiritus sub tutela Immaculati Cordis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae.

 Chaplet of the Holy Ghost

The Chaplet of the Holy Ghost gives the faithful an easy means honoring the Holy Spirit by entering into this powerful and beautiful contemplative prayer.

Virgo Sacrata

VIRGÓ SACRÁTA is a Christian mission-driven online resource and shop inspired from the beauty of Catholic faith, tradition, and arts. Our mission is to “Restore All Things to Christ!”, in continuing the legacy of Pope St. Pius X under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

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