A Novena: from Ascension to Pentecost

A novena is a prayer offered over nine days or weeks or month. The first novena was the prayer of the apostles, "together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers" (Acts 1:14) who waited after the Ascension of the Lord into heaven for the coming of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Book of Acts:

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit." When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts1:1-8)

Beginning on Friday, June 3, you'll find here a daily post for a Pentecost Novena.  The post will include a scripture verse drawn from the day's liturgy and a novena prayer based on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Each day will also include an intention for a particular group: the people of God; the poor; those who have been abused; those who minister in the Church; those who govern and make laws; the young; the old; those who struggle in faith; and those who seek know and do God's will.

I hope you'll join in praying this novena as we all prepare to celebrate the feast of Pentecost on June 12.



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