Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Five

The following novena is based on traditional prayers, and is centered on the gifts associated with the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord). These form a supernatural framework through which the Holy Spirit moves us from within, by conforming us to the very mode of his own action. Also reflected in the novena are the so-called “fruits” or perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as a pledge of eternal glory. These are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. Both the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are ordered to the mission we have as baptized Christians to live and proclaim our new life in Christ.


Fifth Day: The Gift of Understanding - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 (Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

Leader: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

Response: Enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Leader: Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.

Response: And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Leader: Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, perfects our faith by enabling us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths in a way that transcends human reason. Our natural way of knowing is elevated by intuition and insight into the things of God. By faith we know them, but by the gift of understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. This appreciation radiates outward to others because our Catholic faith is no longer just a matter of information from a book, but a way of living rooted in intimacy with the mysteries of Christ. May the Holy Spirit attune our hearts to a deeper spiritual understanding of these mysteries, so that as agents of a new Pentecost in our time, we may draw others to Christ and his Church.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Father, send the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and hearts, giving us knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of salvation. May he teach and instruct us, the people of the Diocese of Toledo, so that we may never waver in our faith, but by the gift of understanding may be ready to give an answer to all who ask the reason for the hope that is within us. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leader: Mary, Seat of Understanding,

Response: Pray for us.


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Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Times - Day Four

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Times - Day Three

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day Two

Novena of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in Our Time - Day One

Diocese of Toledo Makes Novena Booklet Available: "Novena to the Holy Spirit - Pentecost in Our Time" [UPDATED]

Bishop Blair: "Come Holy Spirit"