Meditations for Novena in Preparation for Pentecost

Meditations for Each Day of the Novena

(Beginning with the Feast of the Ascension)

(NOTE: This Novena can be prayed throughout the year)

THE NOVENA of the Holy Spirit is the chief of all novenas because it was the first that was ever celebrated. The Apostles and Our Blessed Mother celebrated this novena in the upper room. It was distinguished by so many remarkable wonders and gifts, principally by the gift of the same Holy Spirit, a gift merited for us by the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Jesus made this known to us when he told his disciples that if he did not die, he could not send us the Holy Spirit.

“If I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).

We know well by faith that the Holy Spirit is the love that the Father and the Eternal Word bear one to the other. Therefore, the gift of love (which the Lord infuses into our souls and is the greatest of all gifts) is particularly attributed to the Holy Spirit.

Saint Paul says, “The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to us” (Rom.5:5).

In this novena, therefore, we must consider, above all, the great value of divine love, so we may desire to obtain it and endeavor by devout exercises, and especially by prayer, to be made partakers of it, since God has promised it to him who asks for it with humility.

“Your Father from Heaven [will] give the Good Spirit to them that ask him!” (Luke 11:13).