Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Nine

Day Nine: Holy Spirit, Advocate and Guide

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: ...those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but... a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may be glorified with him. I consider the sufferings of the present time as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us…We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we our-selves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within our-selves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved.... we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And He who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. (Romans 8:14-27)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: Spirit of God, Faithful Advocate and Heavenly Guide, lead us in our blindness, comfort us in our weakness, and with inexpressible groanings plead our cause before the throne of “Abba”, our heavenly Father. Holy Spirit, you have anointed us as adopted children of God and made us heirs with Christ to the heavenly kingdom. Do not let us fall back into the slavery of sin but remain with us always, even until the end of time. Holy Spirit, we groan inwardly as we await the redemption of our bodies. We long for the day of Christ’s coming when our mortal bodies will take on immortality, and our corruptible frames take on incorruptibility. Our hearts are filled with fervent hope as we contemplate the glorious mystery of our spiritual adoption in Christ Jesus our Lord and the promise of everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven. Come, Holy Spirit.

Come, Spirit of Jesus. Anoint us as children of God, our Almighty Father.

Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Eight

Day Eight: Holy Spirit, Soul of Christ’s Mystical Body

FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, "Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."..... But God has so constructed the body ...so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. (I Cor. 12:12-21,24b-31a)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: Holy Spirit, unite us in one body in Christ. With your armor of light, help us stand firm against the powers of darkness and despair. With your truth buckled around our waist, your righteousness steeled across our chest, and the hope of salvation as our helmet, make us vigilant against the forces of chaos and division. With the shield of faith and the sword of the word of God, empower us to walk always as children of the light until we form that “perfect man which is Christ come to full stature.” (Ephesians 4:13) Holy Spirit, Soul of Christ’s Mystical Body, heal our brokenness, cleanse our sinfulness, strengthen our weakness, fill us with life. Mind of Christ, deepen our faith, renew our hope and increase our love for God and neighbor. Transform us into worthy members of Christ’s Body, that our eyes, our ears, our lips, our hands, and our hearts and all our various members might worthily serve the crucified and risen Christ, who reigns as Lord forever. Come, Holy Spirit.

Come, Spirit of Jesus. Make us one body in Christ.

Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Seven

Day Seven: Holy Spirit, Giver of All Good Gifts

FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS: “Now in regard to spiritual gifts..., I do not want you to be uninformed.... I want you to understand that nobody speaking by the spirit of God … can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different ….spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service to be done but to the same Lord; there are different works but the same God ...produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes." (I Cor. 12:1,3-11)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: ..Holy Spirit, Giver of all good things, gift us with your presence, that in union with you, we might always proclaim Jesus as Lord and Christ to the glory of God the Father. Holy Spirit, fill us with your manifold gifts, with your wisdom and knowledge. Deepen our faith; renew our hope; increase our love. Healer of body and soul, anoint us with your power that we might do mighty deeds in Jesus’ name, faithfully serve the needs of all and steadfastly work to build the kingdom of God. Holy Spirit, in you we proclaim: “Jesus is Lord.” In you we proclaim: “God is our Father.” In you we believe; in you we hope; in you we love. Holy Paraclete, fill us with your gifts, with your joy, your peace, your courage and your righteousness. Strengthen us for service to our brothers and sisters that all the good we do in Jesus name and all the evil we endure may redound to the Father’s greater honor and glory.

Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Spirit of Jesus. Anoint us with your gifts.

Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Six

Day Six: Holy Spirit, Heavenly Fire

A READING FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the heavens a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim." (Acts 2:1-4)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: Holy Spirit, Mighty Heavenly Wind, on that first Pentecost, which gave birth to Christ’s Church, you descended upon the apostles and the mother of Jesus, together with the several women and the cousins of the Lord, all of whom were gathered in earnest prayer awaiting your gifts. Holy Paraclete, descend upon us gathered here in earnest prayer for we too await your gifts and beg to be filled with your transforming fire. Fire of God, inflame us with your power, your courage and your fortitude that we might boldly witness to Jesus our risen Lord at all times, in all places and for all the world to see. Unloose our tongues that we might joyfully witness before heaven and earth that Jesus Christ died for sinners; rose triumphantly as the conqueror of sin and death and will return in glory to gather his faithful disciples into his kingdom.

Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Spirit of Jesus. Anoint us with your fire.

Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Five

Day Five: Holy Spirit, Spirit of Peace

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN: “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said..."Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:19-23)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: Spirit of Jesus, grant us peace: peace abroad, peace at home and peace within. Grant us that peace which flows from justice, righteousness and truth. Fill our hearts and minds with your tranquillity so that strengthened by your gentle presence we might face the spiritual and temporal trials of life with courage and composure. Come, Holy Spirit and rest peacefully upon us that we might rest peacefully in you. Merciful Spirit, Gentle Breath of Jesus, give us peace of mind and soul. Through the forgiveness of our sins grant us Easter joy, that with the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and the Apostles we might have cause to rejoice forever with Christ Jesus our risen Lord.

Come Holy Spirit. Come Spirit of Jesus and anoint us with your peace.

Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Four

Day Four: Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you…. The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. (John 14:15-17;25-26)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: Holy Spirit, Gift of the Father, you guide us always with the light of your truth. You stand ever ready at our side, Holy Paraclete, as our advocate, counselor, helper and comfort. Remain with us always, Gentle Teacher, even unto the end of time. Remind us of all that Jesus said and did so that we may remain faithful to his commands and reap the rewards of the heavenly kingdom. Come Spirit of Truth, and rest upon us. Enlighten our minds with your wisdom, counsel, understanding, and knowledge that we may be truly wise and rejoice forever in your consolation.

Come Holy Spirit. Come Spirit of Jesus and anoint us with your truth.

Novena to the Holy Spirit --- Day Three

Day Three: Holy Spirit, Gift of the Father

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying: "This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rest." (Matthew 3:16-17)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: Holy Spirit, at the beginning of Jesus public ministry, you descended upon him in the form of a dove as he was being baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan. As you had brought forth light from darkness at the dawn of creation by hovering over the waters of the deep, so by hovering over the waters of the Jordan at the dawn of the new creation, you anointed Jesus as the “Christ”, the true “Light of the World,” upon whom rests the favor of our heavenly Father. Creator Spirit, Eternal Gift of the Father, rest upon us now and renew your presence within us. Hover over us with your power, for we are weak and in constant need of your strength. Gentle Dove, anoint us with the spirit of Jesus that we too might be beloved sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.

Come Spirit of Jesus, anoint us with the Father’s favor.