the first day of the novena to the holy spirit

                                                                Eastertide: Day 40
Today, we begin the final countdown of the days of Eastertide as we begin the Novena to the Holy Spirit. This day of 9 linked prayers will end on Saturday, May 22, the eve of Pentecost Sunday, when the 3rd person of the Holy Trinity descended into the Upper Room, upon the frightened little band of followers. The arrival of the Holy Spirit absolutely transformed them. Each person changed from being confused and unsure to confident and courageous. They left the Upper Room, bursting out into the crowded streets which were full of pilgrims who were in Jerusalem at that time for Passover. They boldly proclaimed the Good News of Jesus' resurrection and ascension back to heaven. And they did it with hearts filled with joy.  They were so joy-filled, in fact, that people passing by thought they were drunk, even though it was early in the day. 

The Catholic tradition of praying novenas is based on the 9 days between Jesus' ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit. Spiritually, we sit in the Upper Room with those first disciples, waiting, watching and praying. The Novena to the Holy Spirit is the original novena, the template for all other novenas that we pray during the year. 

If you've never prayed a novena, this is the one to start with!  You can join in on a worldwide community of novena pray-ers by going to one of my favorite websites, www.praymorenovenas.com, and signing up. It's free and you will receive daily reminders and prayers to say. In addition to praying the novena, you've still got time to print out and color the "Come Holy Spirit" picture from www.looktohimandberadiant.com, which I posted back on Day 16 of the Eastertide. 

Come, Holy Spirit!