St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blacksburg, VA
Novena to the Holy Spirit, 2024
Introduction
The parish is encouraging all parishioners to take part in the spiritual preparations for Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, by participating in the Novena to the Holy Spirit. The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.
The novena starts on Friday, May 10, and ends on Saturday, May 18.   Every day at 7 PM there will be a Zoom session of the Novena. Please scroll down to the end of this announcement for the Zoom link. Those who might not be able to attend the Zoom session may do the Novena reflections on their own at any time convenient to them following the order of prayers given below.
Order of Prayers for Each Day of the Novena

1. Opening Prayers

1. Make the Sign of the Cross saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen,” and say the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”
2. Say the Our Father: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
3. Say three Hail Mary’s for Faith, Hope, and Charity: “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” – 3 times.
4. Say the Glory Be: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

2. Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit

3. Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Spirit

4. Gospel Reading and Reflection

5. Petitions

For each of the nine days of the novena you can have a prayer intention. Alternatively, you can have the same intention throughout the nine days.
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 (John 16:23).
6.  Closing Prayers
a.      Come, O Divine Spirit
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.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
d.      Glory Be
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
e.      Sign of the Cross
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”,
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82406584087?pwd=ZEZQV0xJZ2lpU0FsbXJSQkpiNzlEQT09
Passcode: 824 0658 4087

For any questions or request for information about the Pentecost Novena, please contact:
 Joseph Mukuni ([email protected]) or Deacon Rick Furman ([email protected])