Whitsunday Novena: The First Novena

N.B.: The Litany of the Holy Ghost and Veni Creator Prayer (in Latin) are appended at the bottom of the page.

Source: CatholicTradition.org

For the Feast of Pentecost

The novena in honour 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. 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 Catholic today. To encourage devotion to the Holy Spirit, the Church has granted the following indulgences:

“The faithful who devoutly assist at the public novena in honour of the Holy Spirit immediately preceding the Solemn Feast of Pentecost may gain a partial indulgence for themselves or as an offering for the intentions of the faithful departed.

Those who make a private novena in honour of the Holy Spirit, either before the Solemn Feast of Pentecost or at any other time in the year, may also gain a partial indulgence for themselves or as an offering for the intentions of the faithful departed.”

 

Act of Oblation to the Holy Ghost

(To be recited at the completion of each day)

ON MY knees before the great cloud of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself body and soul 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 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 opened 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 wilt not forgive. Grant to me the grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and of the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

(To be recited at the completion of each day)

O LORD Jesus Christ, Who before ascending into Heaven didst 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.

•••••••

DAY ONE

O Holy Spirit! Lord of light!
From Thy clear celestial height,
Thy pure and beaming radiance give!

Meditation:
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 to the Holy Ghost:
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all 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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY TWO

Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou light of all that live!

Meditation:
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 for the Gift of Fear:
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set Thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in Heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.

Our Father … Hail Mary … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY THREE

Thou of all Consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Meditation:
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 for the Gift of Piety:
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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY FOUR

Thou in toil art Comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.

Meditation:
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 for the Gift of Fortitude:
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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY FIVE

Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.

Meditation:
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 the Gift of Knowledge:
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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY SIX

If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.

Meditation:
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 for the Gift of Understanding:
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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY SEVEN

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness, pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.

Meditation:
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be 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 Catholic 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 for the Gift of Counsel:
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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY EIGHT

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

Meditation:
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 for the Gift of Wisdom:
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 … 7x Glory Be …

Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

•••••••

DAY NINE

Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold Gifts descend.

Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.

Meditation:
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 for the Fruits of the Holy Ghost:
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 … 7x Glory Be …
Act of Oblation and Prayer for the Seven Gifts

< TOP >

~~~ +++ ~~~

Veni, Creator Spiritus

COME, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God’s hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o’erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.

 

Gloria Patri …

~~~ +++ ~~~

The Litany of the Holy Ghost

(For private use)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all powerful, (Have mercy on us.)
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, (Save us.)
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless Life of both, (Sanctify us.)
Holy Trinity, (Hear us.)

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, (Enter our hearts.)
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, (Enter our hearts.)

Promise of God the Father, (* Have mercy on us.)
Ray of heavenly light, (*)
Author of all good, (*)
Source of Heavenly water, (*)
Consuming Fire, (*)
Ardent Charity, (*)
Spiritual Unction, (*)
Spirit of love and truth, (*)
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, (*)
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, (*)
Spirit of knowledge and piety, (*)
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, (*)
Spirit of grace and prayer, (*)
Spirit of peace and meekness, (*)
Spirit of modesty and innocence, (*)
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, (*)
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, (*)
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, (*)
Gift of God the Most High, (*)
Spirit Who fillest the universe, (*)
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, (*)

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin. 
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light into our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy Heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
(Send us Thy Holy Ghost.)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
(Pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
(Grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.)

V/. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R/. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let us pray.
Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.