Pentecost Novena Begins Friday, May 15 – “America Unites to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
America Unites to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the USCCB joins this celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.
In a historic moment, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026, and invite all to join in this consecration.
Cardinal Raymond Burke wrote the following:
“As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding, it is fitting that we turn with humble confidence to Almighty God, acknowledging our dependence upon His providence and imploring His divine mercy. It is my earnest hope that every Catholic in America will unite with us in this commitment to prayer throughout the year, asking the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to renew our hearts and to guide our nation in the way of truth, justice, and peace.”
From Saint Francis of Assisi,
“We have been called to heal wounds,
to unite what has fallen apart,
and to bring home those
who have lost their way.”
United States Grace Force United in Prayer:
The United States Grace Force is totally committed to UNITING with our bishops and the entire nation in this historic consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially through the “America 250 Prayer.” written by Cardinal Raymond Burke (See below).
Please join in these US Grace Force prayer campaigns:
May 15 – May 24 – Pentecost Novena
June 3 – June 12 – Sacred Heart Novena
August 15 – October 7 – 54-Day Novena for Our Nation
October 4 (Feast of St. Francis) – Rosary Coast to Coast, National Rosary Rally
For those who wish to join forces in praying for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the USA and throughout the world, you can find the daily prayers at usgraceforce.com, and/or join (enlist) in the US Grace Force and receive each day’s prayers in your email.
You can join (enlist) in the US Grace Force by clicking HERE
Novena to the Holy Spirit
“We ought to pray and invoke the Holy Spirit, for each of us greatly needs His protection and His help. The more a man is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought he the more fly to Him Who is the never ceasing Fount of Light, Strength, Consolation and Holiness.” (Pope Leo XIII)
The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.
The Church grants the following indulgence: “Partial indulgence to those who participate in a public novena before the feast of Christmas or Pentecost, or the Immaculate Conception.” (The Enchiridion of Indulgences, Issued by the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, 1968, #34)
HERE IS WHAT DAY ONE LOOKS LIKE:
FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!
Special Intention
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus reign in our homes and in our nation.
The Holy Spirit
Only one thing is important — eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared–sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.”
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.” Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen
DAILY PRAYER FOR AMERICA 250
By Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,
I place today my nation, the United States of America,
into Your Heart pierced for love of us.
On the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,
I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift,
and that our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.
Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, and through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart,
bless my homeland anew,
purify her from sin,
and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace,
so that she may safeguard all human life,
respect the integrity of marriage and the family,
and honor the practice of religion.
Reign in my home and in my nation.
Draw every heart into communion with You,
that Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph
in America and throughout the world.
Amen.
