NATIONAL OFFICE FOR VOCATION
Helping people hear God's call
Pentecost Novena
The Solemnity of the Ascension: May 26th:
Today is the Solemnity of the Ascension, where Jesus ascended from earth to be with the Father in Heaven. This begins a traditional 9 days of prayer (Novena) on the lead up to Pentecost Sunday and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We will pray a Novena everyday on the lead up to Pentecost Sunday and we hope you will join us also. We will upload a prayer each day on Facebook and Instagram asking the Holy Spirit to intercede for our intentions.
Day One
We begin day one by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those discerning their vocation; may they have the courage to say ‘YES’ to God’s Dream for them.
Day Two
We begin day two by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those living the single state of life: for their work, their continued discernment and their lives on the path to holiness.
Day Three
We begin day three by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those discerning and currently living out the vocation to marriage, that through the gifts of the Spirit each couple can be lead into a deeper relationship with each other and with Christ.
Day Four
We begin day four by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those discerning and currently living out the vocation to Priesthood. May the Holy Spirit enkindle in each one of our shepherds the fire of love, that more people will be drawn to Christ through the Sacraments and their presence among the community.
Day Five
We begin day five by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those discerning and currently living out the Vocation to Religious Life. Through a life of prayer, obedience, chastity and poverty, may the gifts and fruits of The Spirit be visible signs to encourage and inspire others.
Day Six
We begin day Six by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those discerning and currently living out the Vocation to the Permanent Diaconate, that through service and guidance of the community’s spiritual wellbeing, they may be filled with the Spirit to inspire all people in the Church and community.
Day Seven
We begin day Seven by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those discerning and currently living out the Vocation to Consecrated Life. May The Spirit guide each person in their work and ever deepen their relationship with Jesus so that their desire to spread the joy of the Gospel might flourish.
Day Eight
We begin day Eight by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: We pray for all people, that through this preparation for the coming of The Holy Spirit, they will be filled with the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord so that they can be sent out, as Your Disciples to bring others closer to You.
Day Nine
We begin our final day of our Novena, day nine by invoking the Holy Spirit by using Pope John XXIII’s ‘invocation’ prayer:
“Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen”
Come, Holy Spirit, in your power and might to renew the face of the earth.
Intention: On day 9 of our Novena we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us all. May we seek to live out God’s Dream for us and, through the power of the Spirit, many will be encouraged to follow your call to marriage, priesthood, religious life, the permanent diaconate and consecrated life, building Your Kingdom here on earth.
Pentecost Sequence
Holy Spirit, Lord of Light,
From the clear celestial height
Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Come, thou Father of the poor,
Come with treasures which endure
Come, thou light of all that live!
Thou, of all consolers best,
Thou, the soul’s delightful guest,
Dost refreshing peace bestow
Thou in toil art comfort sweet
Pleasant coolness in the heat
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light immortal, light divine,
Visit thou these hearts of thine,
And our inmost being fill:
If thou take thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay
All his good is turned to ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew
On our dryness pour thy dew
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will
Melt the frozen, warm the chill
Guide the steps that go astray.
Thou, on us who evermore
Thee confess and thee adore,
With thy sevenfold gifts descend:
Give us comfort when we die
Give us life with thee on high
Give us joys that never end.
