Archbishop Cushley is inviting Catholics to prepare for Pentecost Sunday by praying a Novena to the Holy Spirit.

At Mass today, Ascension Thursday, he said: "We enter into the nine days - the original novena of prayer - for the gift of the Holy Spirit, with our Lady and the Apostles. This year we are joined by Christians across the world through a project called Thy Kingdom Come.

"We are all praying for a renewed outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit. So as we celebrate this beautiful feast today let's take time to think about setting aside the next nine days to pray that the Holy Spirit be renewed within us."

He also recorded a video to promote the venture and included a prayer to the Holy Spirit.

The nine day Novena begins tomorrow (Friday 22 May). The Kingdom Come is an ecumenical Christian venture. Its website has resources for Catholics, including a full guide to the Pentecost Novena which you can view and download here.

The Novena will culminate in a National Rosary on Pentecost Sunday (31 May). Archbishop Cushley said: "I invite you to join in this initiative that follows the Pope’s request to pray the Rosary in May. Our Diocese has been asked to pray a Rosary Hour at 1pm and I warmly invite you to take part."