Pentecost Novena – 9 Days of Prayer
The very first novena — nine days of prayer as the Apostles prayed with Mary between Ascension and Pentecost
The Pentecost Novena is the very first novena, in which the Apostles prayed with Mary between the Ascension and Pentecost. It asks for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It suits anyone preparing for Confirmation or seeking renewal. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit descended as wind and fire, and the frightened disciples began to speak boldly. The Church has prayed this novena ever since, and Pope Leo XIII urged all Catholics to do so. Ask for the gift you most need, whether courage, wisdom, joy or peace.
A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. You can begin this novena on any day.
Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app
Open in the app App StoreGoogle PlayPentecost Novena – day by day
Day 1 – Come, Holy Spirit — Gift of Wisdom
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Wisdom. As the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room on the first day of their waiting, help me to gather my scattered thoughts and desires and turn them toward God.
I need wisdom — the gift that sees things as God sees them, that recognizes what is truly important, that orders my life around what lasts.
(Pause here to mention your intentions)
Holy Spirit, You who hovered over the waters at creation — hover over me. Renew and recreate me. Come, Holy Spirit.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
Day 2 – Come, Holy Spirit — Gift of Understanding
Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Understanding — help me to penetrate the mysteries of faith and to see God's Word not as abstract doctrine but as living truth for my life.
Holy Spirit, You are the one Jesus called 'the Spirit of truth who will guide you into all truth.' I need understanding — not just information about God, but living knowledge, the kind that changes how I live and love.
Open my heart to Your Word. When I hear Scripture, when I receive the sacraments — help me to understand what I am encountering.
(Pause here to mention your intentions)
Spirit of Understanding, open my mind. Come, Holy Spirit.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
Day 3 – Come, Holy Spirit — Gift of Counsel
Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Counsel, who guides us in the choices of our lives — help me to hear Your voice above all other voices.
Holy Spirit, You are the Counselor, the Paraclete — the one who comes alongside us and helps us. I face decisions, big and small, and I need Your guidance. Help me to pray before I decide, to consult wise and holy people, to test my choices against the Gospel.
(Pause here to mention your intentions)
Spirit of Counsel, guide my steps. Come, Holy Spirit.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
Traditional Catholic Prayer — Acts 1:14 · Prayed the nine days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday. The original Christian novena.
More novenas
- Divine Mercy Novena
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena
- Immaculate Conception Novena
- Holy Spirit Novena
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena
- Assumption of Mary Novena
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the Pentecost Novena?
Begin the day after Ascension Thursday, so it ends on Pentecost Eve.
How do I pray the Pentecost Novena?
Pray the daily prayer once a day, asking for one gift of the Spirit.
Who is the Pentecost Novena for?
It is for parish groups, confirmands and anyone seeking the Spirit.
Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app
Open in the app App StoreGoogle Play