The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was the first novena ever made, under the command of the Lord Himself, when He told His apostles to remain in Jerusalem awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, on the first Pentecost. It is, even today, the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Directed to the third person of the Holy Trinity, it is a powerful prayer to receive the light, strength, and love that every Christian so greatly needs. It begins on the Friday of the week before Pentecost.

In Medjugorje, Our Blessed Mother has repeatedly asked for novenas. Novenas are times especially suited for practicing the virtue of penance, especially through prayer and fasting. A kairos (special time) of grace and conversion. A unique opportunity to open our hearts to the love of God, to the gift of the Holy Spirit.

On Friday, May 30, the Pentecost novena begins.

Message from Our Blessed Mother May 23, 1985:

“Dear children! These days I call you especially to open your hearts to the Holy Spirit. Especially during these days the Holy Spirit is working through you. Open your hearts and surrender your life to Jesus so that He works through your hearts and strengthens you in faith. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Like the apostles during the first novena in history, celebrated in the upper room in Jerusalem in May of the year 30, let us remain with Our Blessed Mother, persevering with Her in prayer, in the Pentecostal expectation of the Spirit. Let us celebrate and live this Novena as Our Blessed Mother wishes and asks us to: in community, if it is celebrated in our parish; or if not, personally (in family or individually). Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide and lead our lives.