Novena
The Catholic dictionary defines a novena as: “nine days of public or private
prayer for some special occasion or intention. Its origin goes back to the
nine days the disciples and Mary spent together in prayer between Ascension
and Pentecost Sunday.” The traditional day for celebrating the Ascension of
the Lord is the 40th day of the Easter Season, Ascension Thursday. However,
here in California and other western states, the bishops made the decision
to move the celebration of the Ascension to Sunday so that larger numbers of
the faithful would be present for this important celebration. During this
final week of the Easter season let us pray for the coming of the Holy
Spirit. Our world has many, many problems and the guidance of God’s spirit
is very needed. Let us prepare for Pentecost Sunday as Mary and the
disciples did: in prayer. |
