St. Scholastica Erie | Holy Spirit Novena

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. Acts 2:3

Hearts Afire Pentecost Novena

Day 1 - 5/27/2022 Day 2 - 5/28/2022 Day 3 - 5/29/2022 Day 4 - 5/30/2022 Day 5 - 5/31/2022

Day 6 - 6/01/2022 Day 7 - 6/02/2022 Day 8 - 6/03/2022 Day 9 - 6/04/2022

(Adapted from Archbishop Aquila’s Holy Spirit Novena for the Denver Archdiocese)

Archbishop Aquila has asked the faithful of the Archdiocese to join him in praying a Novena to the Holy Spirit in the nine days preceding the Feast of Pentecost. We have combined some of the reflections shared by parishioners of St. Scholastica with the Archbishop’s Novena here. We encourage you to follow along with the daily scripture reading and parishioner reflections and pray to the Holy Spirit for an outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit so that the Fruits of the Holy Spirit might be strengthened in us to build up His Church.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

(Adapted from the Novenas found on Adoremus.org and Angeluspress.org.)

Day 1, May 27: Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit 

Holy Spirit, Lord of Light,
from the clear celestial height,
thy pure beaming radiance give. 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your divine love.  Send forth your spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.  O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may always be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Gospel reading from the day: John 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

Parishioner reflection:

Jesus is preparing his disciples for the Passion he is about to undergo, likening their coming grief to a mother’s labor before giving birth. The temporary difficulties will fade away once the eternal joy of having him resurrected comes.
In my life I have had moments of pain when I could not see my path, but they all eventually gave way to better things: job loss turned in to better opportunities, loneliness gave way to love, marriage and family. So many examples I only realize when I look back over my life to find them. This gives me hope that I can trust that the same lies ahead for me, whatever God wills. His will for me is surely sweeter than the best thing I can dream of asking Him for. I pray that the Holy Spirit will show me God’s will for me in each moment and give me the grace I need to seek only to do His will.

End each day with the following prayer for all seven gifts:
O Lord Jesus Christ who, before ascending into heaven, promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish your work in the souls of your apostles and disciples, be pleased to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that he may perfect in my soul the work of your grace and love.  Grant me the spirit of wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the spirit of understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth; the spirit of counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven; the spirit of fortitude that I may bear my cross with you and that I may overcome all obstacles that oppose my salvation; the spirit of knowledge that I may know God and know myself in him; the spirit of piety that I may find the service of God sweet and pleasurable; the spirit of fear of the Lord that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to offend him.  Animate me in all things with your spirit.  Amen.

Day 2, May 28: Prayer for the Gift of Holy Fear 

Come thou father of the poor,
come with treasures which endure,
come thou light of all that live. 

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend you, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of your Divine Majesty in heaven, where you live and reign in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, God, world without end.  Amen.

Gospel reading from the day: John 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

“I have told you this in figures of speech.
The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures
but I will tell you clearly about the Father.
On that day you will ask in my name,
and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world.
Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Parishioner reflection:

Up until now, Jesus was almost always speaking in parables and various figures of speech. In today’s reading, that changes. He speaks directly and tells us how our hearts should be dispositioned. Presently, we too live in a world with so much tribulation, to the point it can dispose oneself to despair and a feeling that there is no hope. But the truth is, there is hope. Jesus tells us to take courage! He has conquered the world! Let us pray together for the gift of fortitude so we may conquer our fears and obtain the ability to face the trials and persecutions of our life, with the eternal hope of returning to the Father’s house.

Day 3, May 29: Prayer for the Gift of Piety 

Thou of all consolers best,
visiting the troubled breast,
dost refreshing peace bestow. 

Come, O blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart.  Implant in my soul filial love toward God my heavenly Father, and brotherly love for all, so that I may delight in the service of God and my neighbor.  Amen.

Scripture reading from the day: Acts 1:1-11

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.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Parishioner reflection:

God needs you. Wait on Him, wait with Him, pray. When we seek Him, when we truly know Him, His spirit will guide us in everything. Our words, our actions, even our silence will be directed by Him. In His perfect way, and in His perfect time, you will be His vessel through which the Holy Spirit will work in this world. Seek, pray, listen. Then follow with your whole heart!

Day 4, May 30: Prayer for the Gift of Fortitude 

Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
pleasant coolness in the heat,
solace in the midst of woe. 

Come of blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from you, my God and greatest Good.  Amen.

Gospel reading from the day: John 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Parishioner reflection:

Although there are times when we feel alone in this world if we turn to God through prayer we will never be alone. Going to holy mass connects each of us to our brothers and sisters scattered around the world, as well to our Lord. Although at this time we are divided, during mass we come together as one body and one spirit. His love for us is so intense that He gave His only Son for us. Remembering this and relying on Him will secure that we are never truly alone.

(Joseph H.)

Day 5, May 31: Prayer for the Gift of Knowledge 

Light immortal, light divine,
visit thou these hearts of thine,
and our inmost being fill. 

Come, O blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for your glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to you and your eternal rewards.  Amen.

Scripture reading from the day: Zep 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

Parishioner reflection:

Zephaniah tells us we must rejoice because we will be pardoned, forgiven, protected, kept safe and secure. We are told the Lord is present among us and we should have deep and trusting hope in His mercy and salvation. But what blows me away is that Zephaniah tells us that the Lord will rejoice over us with gladness and renew us in his love. I’m used to reading that I should rejoice at God’s mercy, but here it says God himself will rejoice because of our returning to Him.
Recently I lived these words when I went to confession after a long time of not receiving the sacrament. I had lots of built up baggage and something always seemed to come up to give me an excuse not to go. When I finally went and received absolution for my sins, I felt a great sense of relief, and immediately experienced greater clarity in my prayer life and worship. I felt joy of my own, but I could sense God’s joy that I had overcome my obstacles and turned back to Him. God was actually rejoicing over me!

(Jim M.)

Day 6, June 1: Prayer for the Gift of Understanding 

If thou take thy grace away,
nothing pure in man will stay;
all his good is turned to ill. 

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in your light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of you, the Father, and the Son.  Amen.

Gospel reading from the day: John 17:11b-19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

Parishioner reflection:

You are not wrong. Your story of how you know, or how you came to know Jesus is correct because the Holy Spirit, out of Jesus’ love wrote that story, from hurt, pain, or darkness, to be shared. Whether your story is shared silently, through living your life, or out loud to others, your testimony is beautiful and Holy. Your past, denomination, family history…none of that matters more to Jesus than you having a place with Him in Heaven. Share your beautiful story with others so they may be touched by His love and be drawn to know Him. Jesus wants ALL of us to be with Him in Heaven.

Day 7, June 2: Prayer for the Gift of Counsel 

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
on our dryness pour thy dew;
wash the stains of guilt away. 

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do your holy will.  Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil and direct me by the straight path of your commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.  Amen.

Scripture reading from the day: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11

Wishing to determine the truth
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.

Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
“My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.”
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
“We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage.
For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem,
so you must also bear witness in Rome.”

Parishioner reflection:

I find it awesome that the Bible Verses: Acts 22:30; 23: 6-11 were the assigned readings for reflection on the sheet of paper which I randomly picked up at St. Scholastica on Sunday after Mass. Recently, my thoughts on Paul were culminated when Paul faced trial before Felix, King Agrippa, and the Jewish people. I realized that Paul, a Pharisee, was filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit when he acknowledged that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah foretold by the Prophets. He, himself, said to the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” (Acts 23:6). Please note, the Sanhedrin denied the resurrection; the Pharisees believed in the resurrection.
I am ever thankful that Paul opened the faith to the world, Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the earth’s remotest end.” Acts 1:8.

(Lilian P.)

Day 8, June 3: Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom 

Bend the stubborn heart and will,
melt the frozen, warm the chill,
guide the steps that go astray. 

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power, and beauty.  Teach me to love them above and beyond the passing joys and satisfactions of earth.  Help me to attain them and possess them forever.  Amen.

Gospel reading from the day: John 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Parishioner reflection:

The relationship of the Holy Trinity is expressed in this passage.: The inexhaustible love of the HOLY SPIRIT results from the love of the SON by the FATHER.
We see a reflection of the Trinity in many loving fathers toward their children.

Day 9, June 4: Prayer for the Fruits of the Holy Spirit 

Thou on those who evermore,
thee confess and thee adore,
in thy sevenfold gift descend. 

Give them comfort when they die,
give them life with thee on high,
give them joys which never end. 

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with your heavenly gifts: your charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to your inspiration may merit to be united eternally with you in the love of the Father and the Son.  Amen.

Scripture reading from the day: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself,
with the soldier who was guarding him.
Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews.
When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers,
although I had done nothing against our people
or our ancestral customs,
I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.

After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar,
even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains.”

He remained for two full years in his lodgings.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Parishioner reflection:

Certain of his own innocence, and after surviving an arduous voyage, Paul arrives in Rome. He’s to be held prisoner there, awaiting an uncertain future. His situation is complicated – his deeply held beliefs and actions based on those beliefs – have pitted him against the Jewish powers, who are in turn under Roman rule.
He may be a political pawn, but he doesn’t seem helpless. Instead, he readily accepts his situation and indeed makes the most of it!
(He) welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord quite openly. (Acts 28:30-31).
May I always cheerfully accept my circumstances, the times I have been given to live in, and trust that the Lord is using me as he sees fit!

Gospel reading from the day: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Parishioner reflection:

It’s not fair! He’s getting more than me! This is a refrain every parent has heard more than once. In this passage, our Lord shows us the correct response….”what concern is it of yours.” Another way I’ve heard it put, “the fair comes to Pueblo once a year.” Jesus’ example has given me peace of mind and heart as a sibling, parent, and disciple. As parents we know our children, and we give to them according to their needs and we ask them to contribute to the family according to the gifts that God has blessed them with. As a sibling, I trust my parents to do likewise, and as a disciple I pray for the trust that the Lord will help me pay attention to getting done “what is of concern to me” and in faith leave the rest to him.

(Peggy M.)

Banner picture by John OreMen Published on April 28, 2021, Cathopic.com

Santuario Nacional de la Virgen de Ta ‘Pinu, Shrine, Ta’ Pinu, Road, Għarb, Malta