This is the first day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, the oldest of all Catholic novenas. It prepares the soul to receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, beginning with the Gift of Fear of the Lord. Prayed in the nine days before Pentecost, it follows the example of the Apostles praying before the Spirit's descent.
The practice of a nine-day prayer originates with the Apostles and Mary, who prayed for nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost. The formal Novena to the Holy Spirit was strongly encouraged by Pope Leo XIII in his 1897 encyclical, Divinum Illud Munus. He mandated its public prayer in all parishes before Pentecost, solidifying its place in the devotional life of the Church as a primary way to prepare for the great feast.
Day One focuses on the Gift of Fear of the Lord. This is not a servile fear of punishment, but a filial awe and reverence for God's majesty and a deep desire not to offend Him out of love. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, this gift inspires a profound respect for God's presence, leading us to shun sin and embrace His will (CCC 1831). It is the foundation of wisdom.
This novena is most fittingly prayed annually in the nine days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday. It is also an excellent preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Individuals can pray it at any time of year when seeking special guidance from the Holy Spirit, such as before making a major life decision, beginning a new project, or simply desiring a deeper relationship with God.
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