On the first day of the Novena to the Holy Ghost, we ask God the Father to send the Holy Spirit to prepare us to receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Sign up to receive a daily e-mail reminder for the Novena to the Holy Ghost.)
Verse for the First Day:
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light!
From Your clear celestial height,
Your pure beaming radiance give!
Meditation for the First Day—"The Holy Ghost":
Only one thing is important--eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts, He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation, we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."
Prayers for the First Day:
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
- Our Father, etc.
- Hail Mary, etc.
- Glory be, etc. (seven times)
- Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost
- Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
