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Rosary & Mercy

Novena to the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Novena is the model for all novenas. After the Ascension, the apostles stayed in the upper room, "devoted to prayer" with Mary, until the Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Catholics repeat those nine days each year. The daily reflections below are original and are paired with the traditional Come Holy Spirit prayer.

Nine days beginning the day after the Ascension. In 2027 the Ascension is Thursday, May 6 and Pentecost is Sunday, May 16, so the novena runs from May 7 to May 15, 2027. In places where the Ascension is moved to Sunday, many still pray from May 7.Updated Oct 15, 2026
2027 Pentecost novenaMay 7, 2027 – May 15, 2027
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Key takeaways

  • This is the first novena: the apostles prayed nine days before Pentecost.
  • In 2027 it runs from Friday, May 7 to Saturday, May 15, ending on the vigil of Pentecost (May 16).
  • Each day focuses on one gift of the Spirit.

The prayer for every day

V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of thy love. V. Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created. R. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day by day

  1. 1Waiting with Mary

    For patience and an open heart as you wait on God.

    Holy Spirit, I come to the upper room with Mary and the apostles. Teach me to wait without hurry and to listen. Make my heart ready for whatever you want to give.

  2. 2The gift of wisdom

    To see life as God sees it and to prefer what lasts.

    Holy Spirit, give me wisdom. Help me to love what is good, to choose what is lasting, and to see my daily life in the light of heaven.

  3. 3The gift of understanding

    To grasp the truths of the faith more deeply.

    Holy Spirit, give me understanding. Open the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church to me, so that I know what I believe and why.

  4. 4The gift of counsel

    For good judgment in decisions big and small.

    Holy Spirit, give me counsel. When I am unsure what to do, show me the next right step and give me the humility to take advice.

  5. 5The gift of fortitude

    For courage to do right when it is hard.

    Holy Spirit, give me fortitude. Strengthen me in fear and weariness, and help me keep faith when it costs me something.

  6. 6The gift of knowledge

    To see creation and our own lives as God's gifts.

    Holy Spirit, give me knowledge. Help me to see the world as a gift from the Father, and to use it with thanks and care.

  7. 7The gift of piety

    For a loving, trusting heart toward God and others.

    Holy Spirit, give me piety. Let my prayer be warm and honest, and let my love for God overflow into love for the people near me.

  8. 8The gift of fear of the Lord

    For reverence and a horror of anything that separates us from God.

    Holy Spirit, give me fear of the Lord. Not terror, but awe and a sincere desire never to offend the One who loves me.

  9. 9The fruits and the mission

    For love, joy, peace and the courage to witness to Christ.

    Holy Spirit, produce in me your fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control. Send me into my home, work and parish as a witness to Christ. Come, Lord, and renew me.

Closing prayer

On Pentecost Sunday, give thanks. The novena ends, but the work of the Spirit continues for the rest of the year.

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Questions people ask

Why is the Holy Spirit Novena the original novena?

Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit (Acts 1:4-5), and they spent nine days in prayer with Mary (Acts 1:14). Every other novena imitates that pattern.

What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3; CCC 1831).

What are the fruits of the Spirit?

Galatians 5:22-23 lists nine: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Catechism adds more in its traditional list of twelve (CCC 1832).

Can I pray it at another time of year?

Yes. People pray to the Holy Spirit before Confirmation, major decisions or important work. The traditional time is the nine days before Pentecost.

Keep praying

Come Holy Spirit PrayerNicene CreedRegina CaeliGlory Be

Sources: Acts 1:4-14, 2:1-4 · Isaiah 11:2-3 · Galatians 5:22-23 · Catechism of the Catholic Church 1830-1832, 2670-2672 · USCCB