Start of the Novena to the Holy Ghost in preparation for the Feast of Pentecost
The novena to the Holy Spirit is to be considered as the chief of all novenas; it was the first celebrated, by the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin in the 'upper room', the location of the Last Supper, where they prayed and waited together between the Ascension and Pentecost.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is merited for us through the Passion of Our Lord Himself, a fact which Jesus makes known to us when He said to His disciples that if He did not die He could not send us the Holy Ghost: 'If I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you' (John xvi. 7).
We know by faith that the Holy Ghost is the love that the Father and the Eternal Word bear one to the other; and therefore the gift of love, which the Lord infuses into our souls, and which is the greatest of all gifts, is particularly attributed to the Holy Ghost. This is said by St. Paul, 'The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, Who is given to us' (Rom. v. 5).
We should therefore consider, while praying the novena, the great value of divine love and desire to obtain it, especially through prayer, so that we will be made partakers of it. God has promised that those who ask for it with humility will be given it; 'Your Father from heaven will give the good Spirit to the that ask Him' (Luke xi. 13).
Prayer for the Feast of Pentecost
O Holy Spirit, O my God, I adore Thee, and acknowledge, here in Thy divine presence, that I am nothing and can do nothing without Thee.
Come, great Paraclete, Thou father of the poor, Thou comforter the best, fulfil the promise of our blessed Savior, Who would not leave us orphans, and come into the mind and the heart of Thy poor, unworthy creature, as Thou didst descend on the sacred day of Pentecost on the holy Mother of Jesus and on His first disciples.
Grant that I may participate in those gifts which Thou didst communicate to them so wonderfully, and with so much mercy and generosity.
Take from my heart whatever is not pleasing to Thee, and make of it a worthy dwelling-place for Thyself.
Illumine my mind, that I may see and understand the things that are for my eternal good. Inflame my heart with pure love of Thee, that I may be cleansed from the dross of all inordinate attachments, and that my whole life may be hidden with Jesus in God.
Strengthen my will, that I may be made comformable to Thy divine will, and be guided by Thy holy inspirations.
Aid me by Thy grace to practice the divine lessons of humility, poverty, obedience, and contempt of the world, which Jesus taught us in His mortal life.
Oh, rend the heavens, and come down, consoling Spirit! that inspired and encouraged by Thee, I may faithfully comply with the duties of my state, carry my daily cross most patiently, and endeavor to accomplish the divine will with the utmost perfection. Spirit of love! Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace! Sanctify my soul more and more, and give me that heavenly peace which the world cannot give.
Bless our Holy Father the Pope, bless the Church, bless our bishops, our priests, all Religious Orders, and all the faithful, that they may be filled with the spirit of Christ and labor earnestly for the spread of His kingdom.
O Holy Spirit, Thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant me, I beseech Thee, the intentions of this novena. May Thy will be done in me and through me. Mayest Thou be praised and glorified forevermore!
Amen.
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