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The
Church celebrates Pentecost
(so called because it is fifty days after Easter Day) as the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, gathered in an upper room with Mary, mother of Jesus, "as
a mighty, rushing wind", fulfilling Jesus' promise when he "breathed on them", as recorded in John's Gospel
(chapter 20).
This event, which marks the beginning of the Church, is recorded in the book of Acts of the
Apostles, chapter 2. The 14th century Siennese painting by Duccio (above) illustrates the moment when the Bible says the Spirit
descended upon the gathering of Christians in the form of tongues of fire. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red, a reminder
of the flames that "rested on them". Another symbol for the Holy Spirit is the dove, usually emmitting golden rays
of light.
The Holy
Spirit gave the apostles gifts of grace through which they would undertake the evangelical mission of the Church. On the day
of Pentecost, the apostles were given the miraculous "gift of tongues" -- so that everyone from every country understood
the Christians inspired message of salvation as if the they were hearing it in their own languages. Thousands were converted
by the preaching of Peter and the other apostles.
Called Whitsunday (white Sunday) in England, for the white garments worn by confirmands (candidates for Confirmation), Pentecost,
or the Feast of Weeks, originated as a Jewish festival fifty days (seven weeks) after Passover.
The Solemnity of Pentecost ends the Easter season. After Pentecost, the Easter candle is kept in the baptistery or near the baptismal font, and is lighted only for a baptism.
For centuries, the Sundays of the Catholic Church year between Pentecost and Advent were numbered as "after Pentecost".
Since the Second Vatican Council, this period is called "Ordinary Time" (the first period of Ordinary Time is that
between the Epiphany and Lent). Three Solemnities are celebrated in the weeks immediately following Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ) and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
NINE FRUITS OF HOLY SPIRIT
LOVE,
PEACE, JOY, PATIENCE, SELFCONTROL, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS.
Gal 5:22
Let us Pray
========Come, Holy Spirit fill our hearts with your Holy Gifts.
Let our weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day that we may fulfill all the dutiesof our state conscientiously, that we may do what is right and just. Let our charity be such as to offend
no one, and hurt no one’s feelings, so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to us.
Assist us, O Holy Spirit in all our trials of life, enlighten us in our ignorance,advise us in our doubt, strengthen us in our weakness, help us in all our need,
protect us in temptations and console us in afflictions. Graciously hear us, O Holy Spirit, and pour fourth your light into
our hearts our souls and our minds.Assist us to live a holy
life and to grow in goodness and grace.
Amen.
(Above taken from NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
–Intercession prayer leaflet of Blessed Sacrament Church,
Singapore)
Prayer of St. Bonaventure
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Prayer of St. Bonaventure to the Holy SpiritLord Jesus, as God's Spirit came down and rested upon you,
May the same Spirit
rest on us,
Bestowing his sevenfold gifts.
First, grant us the gift of UNDERSTANDING,
By which your precepts
may enlighten our minds.
Second, grant us COUNSEL, by which we may follow
in your footsteps on the path of righteousness.
Third, grant us COURAGE,
by which we may ward off the enemy's attacks.
Fourth, grant us KNOWLEDGE,
by which
we can distinguish good from evil.
Fifth, grant us PIETY,
by which we may acquire compassionate hearts.
Sixth, grant us FEAR,
by which
we may draw back from evil
and submit to what is good.
Seventh, grant us WISDOM,
that we may taste fully
the life-giving sweetness of your love.
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