 
Novena to the Holy Ghost
The Novena to the Holy Ghost precedes the Feast of Pentecost. It is one of the oldest novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. To encourage devotion to the Holy Spirit, Holy Mother Church has enriched this novena with an indulgence of ten years on any day of the novena with a plenary indulgence if one participates in at least five exercises and moreover go to confession, receive Holy Communion and pray for the proper intentions. Accompanying each day is the Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost and the Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost. Those who make a private novena in honor of the Sanctifier either before Pentecost or at any other time of the year, may gain an Indulgence of 7 years once on any day of their novena. A Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions at the close of teh novena; but if a public novena is held, this indulgence is available only to those who are lawfully hindered from taking part in the same.
FOURTH DAY
Thou in toil art comfort sweet;
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
The Gift of Fortitude
By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude uphold my soul in time of troubles and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary ONCE
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST
On my knees | before the great multitude of Heavenly witnesses | I offer myself, soul and body | to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. | I adore the brightness of Thy purity | the unerring keenness of Thy justice | and the might of Thy love. | Thou art the Strength | and Light of my soul. | In Thee I live and move and am. | I desire never to grieve Thee | by unfaithfulness to grace | and I pray with all my heart | to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. |Mercifully guard my every thought | and grant that I may always watch for Thy light | and listen to Thy voice | and follow Thy gracious inspirations. | I cling to Thee | and give myself to Thee | and ask Thee _ by Thy compassion | to watch over me in my weakness. | Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus | and looking at His Five Wounds | and trusting in His Precious Blood | and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart | I implore Thee, | Adorable Spirit, | Helper of my infirmity, | so to keep me in Thy grace | that I may never sin against Thee. | Give me grace | O Holy Ghost, | Spirit of the Father and the Son | to say to Thee always and everywhere | "Speak, Lord, | for Thy servant heareth." Amen.
(To be recited daily during the novena)
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
O Lord Jesus Christ | Who, before ascending into Heaven | didst promise to send the Holy Ghost | to finish Thy work | in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples | deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me | that He may perfect in my soul | the work of Thy grace and Thy love. | Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom | that I may despise the perishable things of this world | and aspire only after the things | that are eternal, | the Spirit of Understanding | to enlighten my mind | with the light of Thy divine truth, | the Spirit of Counsel | that I may ever choose | the surest way of pleasing God | and gaining Heaven, | the Spirit of Fortitude | that I may bear my cross with Thee | and that I may overcome with courage | all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, | the Spirit of Knowledge | that I may know God and know myself | and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, | the Spirit of Piety | that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, | the Spirit of Fear | that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God | and may dread in any way to displease Him. | Mark me, dear Lord | with the sign of Thy true disciples | and animate me in all things | with Thy Spirit. Amen.
(To be recited daily during the novena)
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