Novena to the Holy Ghost (Nine Days)

FIRST DAY.

THE FRUITS OF CHARITY AND JOY.

Veni Creator.

Come, Holy Ghost! Creator, come!
The darkness of our minds illume;
Thy children’s hearts, O God, inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.

Thou that art named the Paraclete,
The gift of God, His Spirit sweet;
The Living Fountain, Fire and Love,
And gracious Unction from above.

Of God’s Right Hand the Finger Thou,
Who dost Thy sevenfold grace bestow;
True Promise of the Father, rich
In gift of tongues and various speech.

Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight;
Our hearts with heavenly love fulfill
To walk Thy way and do Thy will.

Stablish our weakness, and refresh
With fortitude our fainting flesh;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where Thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee, of Both, to be but One,
That through the ages all along
This faith may be our endless song.

To God the Father laud and praise,
And to the Son, whom He did raise,
And to the Holy Spirit be—
Now and for all eternity.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, Charity and Joy.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

O Most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, we adore Thee with all humility; and with the most lively affections of our hearts we beseech Thee to assist us in this Thy Novena, that we may rightly prepare ourselves to receive Thy heavenly gifts. We cannot, O Divine Spirit, receive Thee without Thine own aid preventing us. Without Thee we cannot please Thee. Do Thou then, who preparedst the Heart of Mary to receive the Word Incarnate, vouchsafe so to dispose our hearts that we may happily conceive the blessed flames of Thy love. Amen.

HYMN.

O let us fall and worship Him,
The love of Sire and Son,
The Consubstantial Breath of God,
The Co-eternal One!

Ah! see how like the Incarnate Word,
His blessed Self He lowers,
To dwell with us invisibly,
And make His riches ours.

Most loving Spirit! Mighty God!
Sweet must Thy Presence be,
If loss of Jesus can be gain,
So long as we have Thee! ²

Antiphon. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

Burn, O Lord! with the fire of the Holy Spirit our reins and our hearts, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a clean heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and abide with us always. Amen.

SECOND DAY.

THE FRUITS OF PEACE AND PATIENCE.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, Peace and Patience.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

O sweetest and most dear Mother Mary, behold us at thy feet, and having kissed them a thousand times with the lips of our hearts, we humbly implore of thee a favor, more needful for us than all else in the world besides. Since thou art the Spouse of the Holy Ghost, the dispenser of His treasures, and His sweet Stewardess—since thou hast been enriched beyond all other creatures with His heavenly gifts, obtain for us, as thou didst obtain it for the Apostles, His coming into our hearts; and for this end obtain for us the grace to imitate, so far as in us lies, the examples of thy humility, thy purity, and thy charity. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R. as on pages 136–137.

Let us pray.

O God, to whom every heart is open and every will speaketh, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the infusion of the Holy Ghost, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc. See page 137.

THIRD DAY.

THE FRUITS OF BENIGNITY AND GOODNESS.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, Benignity and Goodness.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

Most holy Prince of the Apostles, blessed St. Peter! behold us at thy feet to implore thine aid in obtaining the Holy Spirit. We, indeed, have been unfaithful to our Redeemer, not three times only, as thou wert, but thousands and thousands of times; so that we could not hope that the spotless Dove would vouchsafe to sully His plumage in souls stained with so many sins; yet thine example, blessed Apostle, gives us boldness. Thou didst weep bitterly, and with thy tears wert so cleansed as to receive all the gifts of the Divine Paraclete. We, too, desire to bewail our sins with bitterest grief like thine, while we humbly implore thine intercession to obtain for us, first of all, cleanness of heart, and then the gift of the Holy Ghost, for which we yearn most earnestly. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136–137.

Let us pray

O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to think the things that be right, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc. See page 137.

FOURTH DAY.

THE FRUITS OF LONGANIMITY AND MILDNESS.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, Longanimity and Mildness.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

O blessed and happy Apostles of our Lord! who in the Upper Room did receive the Holy Spirit with such fulness, that ye were sweetly inebriated with divine love; we congratulate you with the most humble and lively affections, and contemplate your graces with a holy envy. We beseech you, by that love which ye bear to the Holy Spirit, who thus filled you with His special benedictions, obtain for us efficacious aid rightly to practice that brotherly concord, that continual prayer, and that tender devotion to Mary, whereby we can obtain, even as ye obtained it, the coming of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136–137.

Let us pray.

May the infusion of Thy Holy Spirit, O Lord, purify our hearts, and by the inward sprinkling of His gracious dew make them fertile in all good works. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FIFTH DAY.

THE FRUITS OF FAITH AND MODESTY.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, Faith and Modesty.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

O Eternal Father! how shall we ever bless and praise Thee sufficiently, or thank Thy goodness as we ought! A thousand times blessed be Thine infinite Charity, Thine infinite Providence, and Thine infinite Mercy, which moved Thee to repair our miseries, and to give unto us a Gift, wherein is contained all the good that proceedeth from Thee! Thou hast given us Thy Son, who proceedeth from Thee as Thy Word! Thou hast given us also the Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from Thy Will, as Thine uncreated Love! What can we seek for more? and what shall we give unto Thee for so great a gift? O Lord! vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, of Thy clemency, to take for Thine own all our understanding, all our will, all ourselves, and that little all for all eternity. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136–137.

Let us pray.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Paraclete, who proceedeth from Thee, may enlighten our minds, and, according to the promise of Thy Son, may lead us into all truth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc., see page 137.

SIXTH DAY.

THE FRUITS OF CONTINENCE AND CHASTITY.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, Continence and Chastity.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

Most Holy, most Divine Spirit! if there be any souls in the world more needful of Thine aid than others, it is surely ours, blinded by our passions, chilled with an obstinate lukewarmness, and defiled by a thousand imperfections. Come then, O Divine Spirit! come and enlighten us; kindle our fervor, and destroy in us all that is displeasing in Thy sight. The greater our miseries are, so much the more glorious will be Thy triumph over our perversity. Come, and create in us new hearts, which shall have all for God, and nothing for the world. Create in us a clean heart, O God. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136–137.

Let us pray.

Grant unto Thy Church, O merciful God, that she, being gathered together in the Holy Spirit, may be in no wise disturbed by the incursions of her enemies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc. See page 137.

SEVENTH DAY.

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST UPON MARY AT THE ANNUNCIATION.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in honor of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the ever-blessed Mother of God in the Annunciation.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

Most Divine Spirit, the Paraclete! we hardly dare to beseech Thee to come into our souls, knowing well how sinful and defiled they are. It seems an intolerable boldness to invite God, yea! no less a one than God, to be a guest in a lodging so unclean. Yet Thou vouchsafest graciously to reassure us by that infinite goodness of Thine, whereby Thou dost dispose with Thy prevenient graces those hearts which Thou condescendest to honor with Thy presence. Thou disappointest not the desires of those who ardently sigh for Thee, and are continually waiting for Thee. O blessed Spirit! we sigh for Thee with the most lively affections. Deign to come into us, and delay not Thy gracious coming, while we cease not calling upon Thee and beseeching Thee to console us with Thy long-expected coming. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136-137.

Let us pray.

We beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to pour into our minds the Holy Spirit, by whose wisdom we were created, and by whose providence we are ruled. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc. See page 137.

EIGHTH DAY.

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST UPON JESUS AT THE JORDAN.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in honor of the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus at the Jordan.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

Most adorable Trinity! we venture with all humility and awe to approach the lofty throne of Thine exalted Majesty; with our heads prostrate in the dust we adore Thee, and give Thee endless thanks for the immense blessings which Thou hast bestowed upon us miserable men. We thank Thee, O Eternal Father, and Thee, O Divine Son, for the gift which Ye have given us of the Holy Ghost; for in giving us Your Love, who proceedeth from You, Ye have given us Yourselves. We thank Thee, O Holy Ghost, who art at once the Gift and the Giver of all gifts, and we most earnestly beseech Thee to give us Thyself. No other gift but Thine Own Self can satisfy our souls; and having Thee alone, we shall have all things. But what can we give Thee in exchange for so great benefits? O Blessed Spirit! vouchsafe of Thy mercy to accept for all eternity all our thoughts, all our affections, and all ourselves. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136–137.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may burn with that fire of the Holy Ghost, which our Lord Jesus Christ sent upon the earth, and which He desired to be vehemently enkindled. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc., see page 137.

NINTH DAY.

THE TRANSFIGURATION AND ASCENSION OF OUR LORD, AND THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY GHOST.

Veni Creator. See page 135.

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in honor of the Transfiguration and Ascension of our Most dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the ineffable love of the Holy Ghost in all His manifestations to His creatures.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

PRAYER.

Most Holy Virgin, and exalted Mother of God, who wast above all other creatures disposed to receive the Holy Ghost, and who didst receive Him with greater fulness than all others, dispose, we beseech thee, by thy gracious aid, our cold hearts for the approaching solemnity of Pentecost. We fly to thee, most benignant mother of sinners, that thou mayest obtain for us a lively contrition for our sins: so that, although we cannot receive the Holy Spirit as innocent, like thyself, yet may we receive Him as true penitents, together with those gentile penitents who received Him in the Upper Room. Grant this, most Holy Mother, not for our merits, for we have none, but out of thine own exceeding goodness, and that great love which thou bearest to the same Blessed Spirit, who hath chosen thee to be His Spouse. Amen.

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136–137.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the splendor of Thy brightness may shine upon us; and that the light of Thy light may, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, confirm the hearts of those who are born again by grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the blessing, etc. See page 137.