Novena

Novena

The word Novena comes from the Latin word Novem which means Nine. After the Ascension for nine successive days the Apostles prayed in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The tradition of Novenas come from this and we as a Parish can also use these next nine days asking the Holy Spirit to descend into all of our homes and fill us with his sevenfold gifts.

St Augustine wrote the following prayer from the 4^th Century. We could say this prayer for the next 9 days.

“Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
That I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
To defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
That I always may be holy”

Come, Holy Spirit, come dwell within me, dwell within each and every home in St Thomas’s Neilston and fill us with your essence, your healing balm and peace.