We have begun the oldest of all novenas, the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost, when Mary and the Apostles were in the Upper Room praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Here is a hymn you may like to use as a prayer in these days: ‘Come, Thou holy Paraclete, And from Thy celestial seat Send Thy light and brilliancy: Father of the poor, draw near; Giver of all gifts, be here; Come, the soul’s true radiancy.

Come, of comforters the best, Of the soul the sweetest guest, Come in toil refreshingly: Thou in labour rest most sweet, Thou art shadow from the heat, Comfort in adversity. O Thou Light, most pure and blest, Shine within the inmost breast Of Thy faithful company. Where Thou art not, man hath naught; Every holy deed and thought Comes from Thy divinity.

What is soilèd, make Thou pure; What is wounded, work its cure; What is parchèd, fructify; What is rigid, gently bend; What is frozen, warmly tend; Strengthen what goes erringly. Fill Thy faithful, who confide In Thy power to guard and guide, With Thy sevenfold mystery. Here Thy grace and virtue send: Grant salvation to the end, And in Heav’n felicity’.

May God bless you, and may He fulfil your needs and intentions, according to His gracious will.