Novena to the Holy Spirit

“The Holy Spirit comes where He is loved…where He is invited…where He is expected” – St. Bonaventure.

This year we will be praying a novena, a nine-day prayer, to the Holy Spirit to grow in love and relationship with the Holy Spirit leading up to the great feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is the day we set aside to celebrate the Holy Spirit’s coming to the Apostles hiding, waiting, and praying after the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. They spent nine days waiting for the promise of Father God and Jesus that they would send an advocate(helper) to them. This promised helper would equip the Apostles to share the message of Jesus Christ to the world making disciples of all nations and baptizing them. That is exactly what happened. When the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles and those gathered with them, the perfect love of God cast out all fear. These once terrified men boldly went into the streets to share God’s love.

Pentecost is also considered the birthday of the Catholic Church, because it was at Pentecost that the people of God filled with the Holy Spirit, equipped with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and holding to the history of God the Father’s provision and care for humanity went to share that love in the world. About three thousand souls were baptized that very day because they encountered the Holy Spirit living and moving freely in the Apostles and disciples of Jesus.

The novena to the Holy Spirit is actually the novena of all novenas. It is the first official novena prayed by the Church. It only makes sense that we would call upon the Holy Spirit and ask for his help. The Holy Spirit is the giver of spiritual life, helper, comforter, counselor and, friend we all long for and need. Whether you realize it or not, the Holy Spirit has been living within you since your baptism. He has been helping you to make difficult decisions and been present at every moment you felt God’s presence close to you. Imagine just how much more incredible your life could be if you asked for Holy Spirit’s help and gave him even more freedom to help you every day of your life? This is why we are welcoming the Holy Spirit to come more deeply into our lives through this novena! Come Holy Spirit!