Franciscan Penance Library
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Novena to the Holy Spirit
(adapted with the approval of CFP spiritual advisor Dom Julian Stead, OSB, from a Novena copyrighted by the Holy Spirit Fathers, 1912)
(Note: A Litany to the Holy Ghost is on this link.)
Procedure: A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer for a special intention. Each day, the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit and the Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be prayed after that day's specific prayer. If you miss a day, catch up when you remember or continue with the novena from where you left off.
Name: In the appropriate blank space in the novena, insert the name of the person or persons for whom you are praying.
Intention: In the appropriate blank space in the novena, insert your prayer request.
Generally the same person(s) and prayer request(s) are prayed for during the entire nine days.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
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 fairness 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, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." Amen.
(To be recited daily during the Novena following the day's specific prayer.)
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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 ______ (name) that the Holy Spirit may perfect in their soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant _____________(name) the Spirit of Wisdom that they may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten their mind with Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that they may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that they may bear their cross with You and that they may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose their salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that they may know God and know themselves and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that they may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that they may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread to displease Him in any way. Mark them, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate them in all things with Your Spirit so that _____________________________ (state intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
(To be recited daily during the Novena following the day's specific prayer.)
FIRST DAY
Holy Spirit, Lord of Light, radiance give from celestial height.
The Holy Spirit
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 Spirit 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 helps our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asks for us."
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who has deigned to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and has given us forgiveness of all sins, send forth from heaven upon ______________(name) your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill them with the Spirit of Holy Fear so that __________________________(state intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SECOND DAY
Come, Thou Father of the poor, come now with treasures that endure; Light of all who 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 their inmost heart, that _________________(name) may set You, my Lord and God, before their face forever, help them to shun all things that can offend You, and make them 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. Grant _______________ (name) the Gift of Fear of the Lord so that _____________________ (state intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
THIRD DAY
Thou of all consolers the best, Thou, the soul's delightful guest, 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. For His sake, it inspires us to love and respect 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. Love makes all labor sweet.
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess their heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that ___________(name) may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to His authority. Grant _____________ (name) the Gift of Piety so that _____________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FOURTH DAY
Thou, in toil my comfort sweet; Thou, coolness in the heat; Thou, my solace in time 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 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 shall be saved."
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold their soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain their efforts after holiness, strengthen their weakness, give _____________________(name) courage against all the assaults of their enemies, that _______________(name) may never be overcome and separated from You, our God and greatest Good. Grant __________(name) the Gift of Fortitude so that _____________________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
FIFTH DAY
Light immortal, Light divine, Fire of Love, our hearts refine, 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 possesses it."
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that ______________ (name) may perceive the will of the Father; show them the nothingness of earthly things, that _____________ (name) may realize their vanity and use them only for Your glory and their own salvation, looking ever beyond them to You and Your eternal rewards. Grant __________(name) the Gift of Knowledge so that _____________________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SIXTH DAY
Take Thy grace away and nothing pure within us will stay; all our good is turned to ill.
The Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, 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 delight in 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 their minds, that _________________(name) may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Your Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of You and the Father and the Son. Grant __________(name) the Gift of Understanding so that _____________________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
SEVENTH DAY
Heal our wounds, our strength renew, on our dryness, pour Thy dew; wash 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 your way in truth."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide them in all their ways, that ______________________(name) may always do Your holy will. Incline their heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct them by the straight path of Your commandments to that goal of eternal life for which they long. Grant __________(name) the Gift of Counsel so that _____________________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
EIGHTH DAY
Bend the stubborn heart, melt the frozen, warm the chill, and 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 delight in things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, while the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: "Take up your cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to their soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach ________________(name) to love these heavenly things above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help _____________(name) to attain them and possess them for ever. Grant __________(name) the Gift of Wisdom so that _____________________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
NINTH DAY
Sevenfold gifts on us be pleased to pour, who Thee confess and Thee adore; bring us Thy comfort when we die; give us life with Thee on high; give us joys that never end. Amen.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit 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 Spirit, 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 Spirit. 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 their heart with Your heavenly fruits, Your charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that ________________(name) may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Your inspiration may merit to be united eternally with You in the love of the Father and the Son. Grant __________(name) all the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in super abundance so that _____________________________(name intention) as You would have it be. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
