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What is Pentecost?
On the Solemnity of Pentecost, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, gathered around the Mother of the Lord (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2).
The solemnity is celebrated on the 50th and final day of the Easter season, this year on Sunday, May 23th.
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Prior to the Ascension into heaven, Jesus ordered the Apostles “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts of the Apostles 1: 4-5), then he asked them to stay together to prepare themselves to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The "Promise of the Father" is the Holy Spirit. -
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The most significant manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Sacred Scripture is recorded at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. After the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, the Apostles and some of the woman disciples were waiting for the Spirit that Jesus had promised.
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts of the Apostles 2: 2-4)
This event is called Pentecost and is originally a feast on which Israel celebrated the establishment of the covenant with God on Mount Sinai. Through the Pentecost event in Jerusalem, it became for Christians the feast of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost approximately 50 days after Easter. (from the Greek pentecoste meaning “fiftieth”)
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What is the story of Pentecost?
The 11 remaining Apostles returned to Jerusalem after the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Acts 1:14 says, “All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” During this time, the Apostles chose a replacement for Judas Iscariot. They cast lots between two men, and the lot fell on Matthias.
After nine days of prayer, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. They heard a sound like a “mighty wind,” and “tongues as of fire” were resting on their heads.
Going out, Peter to the crowd that had gathered. Even though, just a few weeks earlier, he had denied Christ three times, Peter courageously proclaimed the Gospel. That day, three thousand people believed in Christ and were received into His Church.
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Scripture
SCRIPTURE Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2
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Readings of the Mass
SELECT HERE for the Readings of May 23rd, 2021, Pentecost Sunday.
SELECT HERE for the Audio of the Readings of May 23rd, 2021, Pentecost Sunday.
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On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended with power upon the Apostles, thus began the mission of the Church in the world.
- Pope Benedict XVI, Homily on Pentecost Sunday 2006
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What happened on Pentecost?
On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit transformed fearful apostles into courageous witnesses to Christ and to baptize those who believed. Those who were baptized created communities to share their new faith in Christ with one another. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church and from this the age of the Church began.
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. (Acts of the Apostles 2: 41-42)
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Why is Pentecost known as the birthday of the Church?
When the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, they immediately began proclaiming the Gospel. In fact, three thousand people were baptized that day. The disciples, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, were answering Jesus’ call to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19). The Holy Spirit is vital in the mission and witness of the Church, so we consider Pentecost the birthday of the Church.
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The miracle of the languages (tongues) on Pentecost shows that the Church is there for all peoples from the very beginning. The Church is universal (“Catholic” is the Latin term from the Greek "katholikos" meaning universal.)
She speaks to all people, overcomes ethnic and linguistic barriers, and can be understood by all.
To this day the Holy Spirit is the ”Soul” of the Church, the essential principle of her life. The Church is missionary. She receives her mandate to go out and make disciples.
The mission of the Holy Spirit and the work of the Church are fused together. The Holy Spirit works through the Church to make the mission of Jesus Christ known. The Holy Spirit illuminates by revealing Christ is crucified and is Risen, indicating the way to become like him — that is, to be instruments of Christ’s love in the world.
The Holy Spirit is the source of our lives together, brings us together in unity despite our diversity, and enriches us with all the gifts needed to be the Body of Christ.
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...the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Romans 5: 5
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Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity. God the Father is the First Person, and God the Son (Jesus) is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
According to the Catechism (paragraph 691):
“Holy Spirit” is the proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children. [Cf. Mt 28:19]
The term “Spirit” translates the Hebrew word ruah, which, in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind. Jesus indeed uses the sensory image of the wind to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of him who is personally God’s breath, the divine Spirit. [Jn 3:5-8] On the other hand, “Spirit” and “Holy” are divine attributes common to the three divine persons. By joining the two terms, Scripture, liturgy, and theological language designate the inexpressible person of the Holy Spirit, without any possible equivocation with other uses of the terms “spirit” and “holy.”
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“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.”
John 14:15-17
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Knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindle faith in us.
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, 683
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What is the role of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost?
Even though the Holy Spirit has been at work from the beginning forming creation (Genesis 1:1), through the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church He forms a new creation in Christ.
As the Catechism says, “The Holy Spirit, whom Christ the head pours out on his members, builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church...” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 747)
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What were the two signs of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?
The two signs were the “sound… from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind” (Acts of the Apostles 2:2) and “tongues as of fire” over the disciples’ heads (Acts of the Apostles 2:3).
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What was the Church’s first Novena?
The original Novena, “nine days of prayer”, occurred when the disciples gathered to await and pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (cf. Luke 24:49; Acts of the Apostles 2:1-5)
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