The Pentecost by El Greco

Traditional Catholic Novena

Novena to the Holy Ghost

Quick answer

At a glance

What it is
A traditional Catholic novena to the Holy Ghost for wisdom and guidance. Traditionally prayed The day after Ascension Thursday through the vigil of Pentecost.
Often prayed for
The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, deeper docility to grace, strength in trial, and renewal of the interior life.
Length
9 days
Feast
Pentecost
Prayer progress: 0 of 9 complete

Email reminders

Get the daily email sequence for this novena after you confirm your address.

Your email, this novena, and your start date are stored. Your intention stays on this device.

See how your information is handled in the Privacy Policy.

Day checklist

Check off each day as you pray

0 of 9

Tap each day after you pray it. Your checklist stays on this device.

Pray Day 1 of 9

Day 1: The Sevenfold Spirit

Not marked complete yet.

0% complete

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all our sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Pause here for your intention.

After Each Day

Main novena prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all our sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Daily Conclusion

Repeated prayer cue

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's.

Related devotion

Move naturally from this novena into the nearest saint life or traditional litany in the library.

Tools, privacy, and reminders

Prayer progress and local tools stay on this device unless you clear them.

About this novena

Description

This novena stands close to the oldest Christian instinct behind novena prayer itself: the nine days of waiting between the Ascension of Our Lord and Pentecost. Catholics have long turned to the Holy Ghost in this way to ask not only for help in one urgent need, but for the deeper gifts that shape the whole spiritual life: wisdom, counsel, fortitude, understanding, knowledge, piety, and holy fear.

Traditionally invoked as patron of

wisdom, guidance, Pentecost graces, strength to do God’s will

Traditionally prayed for

Often prayed for wisdom, guidance, Pentecost graces, and strength to do God’s will.

Usual timing

The day after Ascension Thursday through the vigil of Pentecost

9 daysFeast: PentecostwisdomguidancePentecost gracesstrength to do God’s will
How to pray a novena
The Pentecost by El Greco

The Pentecost, El Greco, c. 1596-1600