The Novena to the Holy Spirit is the origin of the whole practice of nine (Nove) days of prayer. Christians would pray from the Ascension to Pentecost, ten days, to integrate and fulfill the Ten Commandments in their lives. This was done because the old law was brought to fulfillment in the new law, the law placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 

Later, devotion to the Holy Spirit and the praying of Novenas asking for the sevenfold gifts or the fruits of the Holy Spirit emerged. The sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel/Right Judgment, Fortitude/Courage, Knowledge, Piety/Reverence, Wonder and Awe/Holy Fear of the Lord. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity (kindness), goodness, longanimity (forbearance), mildness (gentleness), faith, modesty, continency (self-control), and chastity.

By praying this Novena to the Holy Spirit between the Solemnity of the Ascension and Pentecost, we prepare ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. It is also advisable that these prayers be said by our students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.