Today is 40 days after Easter. In some parts of the United States, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension today. (In much of the country, the observance of Ascension is moved to Sunday.)

Traditionally, the days between Ascension and Pentecost were celebrated as a Novena to the Holy Spirit. (When Ascension is celebrated on Thursday, that works better since there are nine days between the two solemnities.) But even if you won’t celebrate the Ascension until Sunday, you can still begin your novena tomorrow.

I’m not going to post specific prayers for the novena. You can find numerous options online. Instead, focus on what you can ask the Spirit to bring you:

• the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (wonder).
• the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5;22-23).
• a love for the Sacred Scripture inspired by the Spirit (these nine days, read especially John 14-17).
• a desire to share faith through words AND actions.
• a desire to become an instrument of peace, unity, and reconciliation.