Many times when you check your work e-mail on your day off, it is a big mistake. You learn about a problem at work or an issue that ends up consuming your time and energy.
What a refreshing change of pace it was to receive an e-mail inivitation to pray the Holy Spirit Novena for Pentecost!
The practice of saying novenas is derived from Scripture. After Jesus' Ascension into heaven, he told his disciples to pray together and devote themselves to constant prayer Acts 1:14. The Apostles, Blessed Virgin Mary, and other followers of Jesus prayed together for nine consecutive days, and were rewarded with a truly amazing miracle: the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
There are many versions of this novena; this wording is from Father Bill Byrne, the Secretary for Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington. The novena is for the intention of the New Evangelization and for any personal intention you may add. The novena starts May 10th and goes through Pentecost Sunday.
Dearest Holy Spirit,
Confiding in Your deep, personal love for me, I am making this novena for the following request, if it be Your Holy Will to grant it: the New Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Washington and (mention your request).
Teach me, Divine Spirit, to know and seek my last end; grant me the holy fear of God; grant me true contrition and patience.
Do not let me fall into sin. Give me an increase of faith, hope and charity, and bring forth in my soul all the virtues proper to my state in life.
Make me a faithful disciple of Jesus and an obedient child of the Church. Give me efficacious grace sufficient to keep the Commandments and to receive the Sacraments worthily.
Give me the four Cardinal Virtues*, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit**, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit***
Raise me to perfection in the state of life to which You have called me and lead me through a happy death to everlasting life.
I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary and a Glory Be.
* The four principal virtues upon which the rest of the moral virtues turn or are hinged. Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance and Justice.
** Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord (Sovereign Respect)
*** (Galatians 5:22-23): “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
*** (Galatians 5:22-23): “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
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