Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit 2017 | Day 8

June 2, 2017

The Pentecost novena is the original novena prayer. After Christ's Ascension, the disciples prayed for nine consecutive days for the Spirit to descend. On the tenth day, Pentecost Sunday, they received the Advocate promised by our Lord. According to Father Michael Woolley, this period of prayer is a "little Advent":

The Disciples of Jesus waited those 9 days for the Holy Spirit with the blazing light of the Gospel to see by – while they waited in the Upper Room they reflected and prayed on the teachings and mighty deeds of Jesus, on His Passion and Death, on His Resurrection and Ascension, all of which enlightened their hearts and flooded the Old Testament Scriptures with light, revealing the hidden meaning of the Old Testament. (This is why during this "little Advent" we’re now in, we don’t wear dark Purple but bright White Vestments.)

Dearest Holy Spirit, confiding in Your deep, personal love for me, I am making this novena for the following request, should it be Your Holy Will to grant it:

(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 vocation. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 8

Today we pray for Self-Control

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

O Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Self-Control within us.

Your Martyrs had the overwhelming self-control to go joyfully to a painful death without shrinking from the opportunity to join You in heaven. Give us this self-control to have command over our emotions and desires that we may serve You more fully. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.