A strong wind, an event like that of an earthquake, and the descent of fire in the form of tongues—these and more signs —culminated with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles that Pentecost day.
THE NOVENA.
All of these events were preceded by the NOVENA—the word precisely means NINE! The Apostles, as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary, spent nine days and nine nights in the Cenacle before the Holy Spirit came upon them. Those nine days were spent in Deep prayer, silence, and fasting which resulted in the descending of the Holy Spirit.
MARY’S PRESENCE.
Of the greatest importance in the coming of the Holy Spirit was the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit rejoices in the presence of Mary. Precisely, Mary is known as the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Also, Mary is the Queen of the Apostles and the Mother of the Church. On Pentecost the Church was born, facilitated by the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For that purpose, Saint Louis de Montfort claims: The soul that loves Mary, the Holy Spirit flings Himself into that soul.
SAINT FAUSTINA AND THE NOVENA.
In the Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Jesus instructed Saint Faustina to offer Novenas. Of course the most renowned Novena in the writings of Saint Faustina is the Novena that starts on Good Friday and terminates on the Sunday after Easter, known as Mercy Sunday. This includes certain specific prayers offered every day for the nine days.
NOVENA TO HONOR MARY.
Moreover, in addition to the Divine Mercy Novena, Saint Faustina had the custom or habit of making other Novenas, particularly to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among the most common Novenas in preparation for a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary would be that of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, and also, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, which is now celebrated on August 15th—in the middle of August and the middle of summer! When we carry out these Novenas, the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary is filled with joy. Not only that, but most times the Blessed Virgin Mary would, and still will, grant very special graces either during the Novena, at the end of the Novena, or at times after the Novena. Always recall: God’s timing is not our timing. God’s time and clock ticks best!
HOW TO MAKE A NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY?
Indeed, there are many variations of how one can make a Novena. The secret to making a successful Novena is simply to be faithful to whatever routine you choose to undertake for nine consecutive days. The secret is faithfulness; not to skip any days!
WHAT THEN ARE THE PRACTICES THAT CAN BE UNDERTAKEN?
There are many! We will offer a few!
1. NOVENA PRAYER.
You can buy a Novena booklet in honor of Mary or even go on the Internet and find many prayers written in honor of Mary related to the event, occasion, or Marian Feast day. Simply start the Novena nine days before the celebration and be faithful to your prayer.
2. ROSARY.
If you are not yet in the routine of praying the most Holy Rosary, you might simply pray the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary for nine consecutive days.
3. MARIAN LITANY.
Another way that you can make the Novena is simply to pray one of the Litanies in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary for nine consecutive days. Pray it with passion and love.
4. MASS AND HOLY COMMUNION.
Surely, one of the greatest actions beneath the skies, is to receive Holy Communion in the Mass properly and reverently. The greatest relevance would be to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, involving fully, actively, and consciously for nine consecutive days. Receive your Holy Communion through the Immaculate Heart of Mary; that will be a well-received Holy Communion!
5. FASTING: SACRIFICE.
In addition to prayers, the Rosary, Mass and Holy Communion, you might also choose to offer some form of fasting or sacrifice in reverence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus said very clearly: “Some devils can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.” Your fast does not have to be very vigorous. Give up something small but do it with great love. Mary can take your little sacrifice offered with great love and use it for the salvation of souls. Jesus and Mary, more than anything else in the world, desire the conversion and salvation of souls.
