the first novena
"Do not be afraid. Go on speaking and do not be silenced, for I am with you. No one will attack you or harm you. There are many of My people in this city." —Acts 18:9-10
A novena is:
- nine days of prayer,
- to pray for a new Pentecost,
- nine days. This is analogous to the nine months of pregnancy, resulting in a birth (see Jn 16:21),
- to pray for the Church,
- nine days, because we need an extended time to break down our resistance to God's will,
- a privilege,
- a way to open people's hearts to accept Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God,
- a powerful wa
- often a time of spiritual warfare,
- a sign of hope that the Lord will transform even the worst situations,
- a grace from God,
- an entry into Trinitarian love, and
- a mystery.
Together let us devote ourselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14), as did those at the first Pentecost novena. During this novena, let us pray the Mass daily or as often as possible. Let us pray before the Blessed Sacrament, go to Confession during the novena, and invite as many people as possible to pray the Pentecost novena. When we ask, we will receive the Holy Spirit in ever greater ways (see Lk 11:13). Come, Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Father, may I pray this Pentecost novena as if it were my last one.
Promise: "I shall see you again; then your hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take from you." —Jn 16:22
Praise: Praying together the Pentecost novena, Ellen and Ann, two women with forty years age difference, became close friends.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, November 15, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 16, 2001