Novena to the Holy Spirit

The first novena was the nine days the apostles prayed with Mary between the Ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1:14). It is traditionally made from the Friday after Ascension to Pentecost, but can be made at any time, with the Church's own prayers to the Holy Spirit.

Feast
Pentecost
Start
the Friday after Ascension Thursday
Length
9 days

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Prayers for every day

Say these prayers on each of the nine days, adding your intention. The tracker above keeps your place.

Come, Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

℣.Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.℟.And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, who by the light of Thy Holy Spirit didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Manual of Prayers (1889)

Also on Come, Holy Spirit

Veni Creator Spiritus

Attributed to Rabanus Maurus; English by John Cosin

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,And lighten with celestial fire.Thou the anointing Spirit art,Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.Thy blessed unction from aboveIs comfort, life, and fire of love.Enable with perpetual lightThe dulness of our blinded sight.Anoint and cheer our soiled faceWith the abundance of thy grace.Keep far our foes, give peace at home:Where thou art guide, no ill can come.Teach us to know the Father, Son,And thee, of both, to be but One;That, through the ages all along,This may be our endless song:Praise to thy eternal merit,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

Also on Come, Holy Spirit

Collect for Whitsunday (Pentecost)

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

Also on Come, Holy Spirit

Questions

When should I start this novena?

To finish on the feast (Pentecost), start the Friday after Ascension Thursday. You can also make it at any other time for a particular intention.

How do I pray it?

Each day, pray the prayers below, then name your intention. Many people add an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.

What if I miss a day?

Customs differ. Many people simply pray the missed day's prayer as soon as they can and carry on; others start again. The tracker on this page lets you tick off each day so you can see where you are.