Novena to the Holy Spirit
The first novena of the Church was prayed by Mary Most Holy and the Apostles in the Upper Room, in the nine days separating the Ascension from Pentecost. This novena prepares the heart to receive abundantly the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
Offering Prayer (every day)
O Divine Holy Spirit, promised by the Father and sent by the Son to his Church, we offer you this novena in imitation of Mary and the Apostles in the Upper Room. Kindle in us the fire of your love; renew the face of the earth; grant us the grace we trustingly ask of you. Amen.
Hymn Veni Creator (recommended every day)
Come, Creator Spirit, / visit the souls of yours; / fill with heavenly grace / the hearts that you have made. // O sweet Comforter, / gift of God Most High, / living font, fire, charity / and spiritual anointing. // (continue with the seven stanzas of the hymn, or simply pray Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be).
The Nine Days
Day 1 — Holy Spirit, Person of the Trinity
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is with them one God. He is the Spirit of love: that eternal Love between the Father and the Son given to us.
Holy Spirit, I adore you as my God. Grant me to live in the intimacy of the Trinity that dwells in my soul through Baptism. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 2 — Gift of Wisdom
Wisdom is the gift that makes us savour the things of God. Whoever receives it finds joy in prayer, in the Eucharist, in the law of the Lord.
Spirit of Wisdom, give me a taste for eternal things; free me from attachment to what passes. May I find in you my true rest. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 3 — Gift of Understanding
Understanding penetrates the truths of faith. It does not give new revelations: it deepens the intelligence of those already received, making us see the beauty of revealed Truth.
Spirit of Understanding, enlighten my intelligence to comprehend your Word; preserve me from false doctrines; fix my heart in the faith of the Church. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 4 — Gift of Counsel
Counsel helps us to discern, in each concrete situation, what God wants of us. It is the practical wisdom that enlightens conscience in decisions.
Spirit of Counsel, guide me in the choices before me; give me prudence without cowardice, courage without rashness. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 5 — Gift of Fortitude
Fortitude gives courage to face the difficulties of fulfilling Christian duty — from small daily mortifications to martyrdom, when necessary.
Spirit of Fortitude, sustain me in trials; free me from discouragement; give me perseverance unto the end. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 6 — Gift of Knowledge
Knowledge makes us judge creatures in their relation to God: neither despising what he created, nor adoring it as a god.
Spirit of Knowledge, teach me to use created things without letting them dominate me; free me from disordered attachments. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 7 — Gift of Piety
Piety gives us a filial affection toward God and fraternal affection toward our neighbour. It makes of prayer a conversation with the Father, and of service to a brother a religious act.
Spirit of Piety, soften my heart; teach me to call God Father with all confidence; grant me tender love for my brethren. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 8 — Gift of Fear of the Lord
The Fear of the Lord is not servile fear, but loving reverence: fear of offending him whom we love. It is the beginning of wisdom, according to the Psalm.
Spirit of holy Fear, preserve me from mortal sin; grant me horror of what displeases you and desire of what is pleasing to you. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 9 — The fruits of the Spirit
Where the Holy Spirit reigns, the fruits described by St Paul (Gal 5:22) blossom: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, long-suffering, mildness, faith, modesty, continence, chastity.
Holy Spirit, ripen in me these fruits; renew me; prepare me for the Pasch of Pentecost; grant me today the grace I entrust to your light: (state the intention). Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Final Prayer (every day)
O God, who enlighten the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by this same Spirit to know what is right and ever to rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Latin
Veni, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita: imple superna gratia, quæ tu creasti pectora. Qui diceris Paraclitus, donum Dei altissimi, fons vivus, ignis, caritas et spiritalis unctio. Tu septiformis munere, dextræ Dei tu digitus, tu rite promissum Patris, sermone ditans guttura. Accende lumen sensibus, infunde amorem cordibus, infirma nostri corporis, virtute firmans perpeti. Hostem repellas longius pacemque dones protinus; ductore sic te prævio vitemus omne noxium. Per te sciamus da Patrem noscamus atque Filium, te utriusque Spiritum credamus omni tempore. Deo Patri sit gloria, et Filio, qui a mortuis surrexit, ac Paraclito, in sæculorum sæcula. Amen.