Wherefore, We decree and command that throughout the whole
Catholic Church, this year and in every subsequent year, a Novena
shall take place before Whit-Sunday, in all parish churches, and
also, if the local Ordinaries think fit, in other churches and
oratories. To all who take part in this Novena and duly pray for
Our intention, We shall grant for each day an Indulgence of seven
years and seven quarantines; moreover, a Plenary Indulgence on any
one of the days of the Novena, or on Whit-Sunday itself, or on any
day during the Octave; provided they shall have received the
Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, and devoutly prayed
for Our intention. We will that those who are legitimately
prevented from attending the Novena, or who are in places where
the devotions cannot, in the judgment of the Ordinary, be
conveniently carried out in church, shall equally enjoy the same
benefits, provided they make the Novena privately and observe the
other conditions. Moreover, We are pleased to grant, in
perpetuity, from the Treasury of the Church, that whosoever,
daily, during the Octave of Pentecost up to Trinity Sunday
inclusive, offer again publicly or privately any prayers,
according to their devotion, to the Holy Ghost, and satisfy the
above conditions, shall a second time gain each of the same
Indulgences. All these Indulgences We also permit to be applied to
the suffrage of the souls in Purgatory.
And now Our mind and heart turn back to those hopes with which We
began, and for the accomplishment of which We earnestly pray, and
will continue to pray, to the Holy Ghost. Unite, then, Venerable
Brethren, your prayers with Ours, and at your exhortation let all
Christian peoples add their prayers also, invoking the powerful
and ever-acceptable intercession of the Blessed Virgin. You know
well the intimate and wonderful relations existing between her and
the Holy Ghost, so that she is justly called His Spouse. The
intercession of the Blessed Virgin was of great avail both in the
mystery of the Incarnation and in the coming of the Holy Ghost
upon the Apostles. May she continue to strengthen our prayers with
her suffrages, that, in the midst of all the stress and trouble of
the nations, those divine prodigies may be happily revived by the
Holy Ghost, which were foretold in the words of David: "Send forth
Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the
face of the earth" (Ps. 103.30).
As a pledge of Divine favor and a testimony of Our affection,
Venerable Brethren, to you, to your Clergy and people, We gladly
impart in the Lord the Apostolic Benediction.
Given at St. Peter's, in Rome, on the 9th day of May, 1897, in the
20th year of Our Pontificate.