Solemnity of Pentecost ...

 Solemnity of Pentecost

Fifty days after Easter

In honor of the Holy Spirit - wear RED to holy Mass today!

Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (Romans 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history (Ezekiel 47:5). 

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through

the Spirit of God dwelling within us, Alleluia. - Rom 5:5; cf 8:11

-Entrance antiphon, today's liturgy

"The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. 

This truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith, 

but recapitulates the  heart of the mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways 

she joyfully experiences the constant fulfillment of the promise: 

“Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20),

 but in the Holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence with unique intensity. 

Ever since Pentecost,  when the Church, the People of the New Covenant, 

began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, 

the Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days,

filling them with confident hope." (Introduction, 1)

Pope St John Paul II

Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia

On the Eucharist in its relationship to the Church

  Pentecost image above:  artist, Jan Joest van Kalker (c 1450-1519)

"Holy Spirit, violent wind of God, blow upon us, blow into our hearts 
and make us breathe forth the tenderness of the Father!  Blow upon the Church 
and impel her to the ends of the earth, so that, brought by You, 
she may bring nothing other than You.  Blow upon our world the soothing 
warmth of peace and the refreshing cool of hope.  Come Holy Spirit, 
change us within and renew the face of the earth. Amen." 
Excerpt: Pope Francis, Pentecost homily 2018
Full text:

Santa Messa nella Solennità di Pentecoste (Pope Francis 2018 Pentecost homily -
several languages of translation available here)

Click here: The Feast of Weeks and the Significance of Pentecost - Crisis Magazine

 Click here: Pentecost In Two Minutes - Busted Halo

The Holy Spirit "leads us to perceive the Lord’s presence
and love in our lives, and moves us to respond joyfully
in prayer and adoration."- Pope Francis

In the Pantheon in Rome, thousands of rose petals are dropped
from the oculus after the celebration of Pentecost Mass!

  

The Pentecost Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;

You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend:

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.

---

With the Holy Spirit within us, "it is quite natural for people
who had been absorbed by the things of this world to become 
entirely otherworldly in outlook, and for cowards to become
people of great courage." - St Cyril of Alexandria

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

Solemnity of Pentecost...

 Solemnity of Pentecost

Fifty days after Easter

In honor of the Holy Spirit - wear RED to holy Mass today!

 

Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (Romans 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history (Ezekiel 47:5). 

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through
the Spirit of God dwelling within us, alleluia. - Rom 5:5, cf 8:11

-Entrance antiphon, today's liturgy

"The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.  This truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith, but recapitulates the  heart of the mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways she joyfully experiences the constant fulfillment of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20), but in the Holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence with unique intensity.

Ever since Pentecost, when the Church, the People of the New Covenant, began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, the Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days, filling them with confident hope." (Introduction, 1)

Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia

Pope St John Paul II

On the Eucharist in its relationship to the Church

  Pentecost image above:  artist, Jan Joest van Kalker (c 1450-1519)

"We were made to be God's children, it is in our DNA.  But this filial relationship was ruined and required the sacrifice of God's only-begotten Son in order to be restored.   From the immense gift of love which is Jesus' death on the cross, the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon humanity like a vast torrent of grace.  Those who by faith are immersed into this mystery of regeneration are reborn to the fullness of filial life." - Pope Francis, Pentecost homily 2016

Click here: Homily for Pentecost Sunday: full text - Vatican Radio (05/15/16)

 

Click here: The Feast of Weeks and the Significance of Pentecost - Crisis Magazine

 Click here: Pentecost In Two Minutes - Busted Halo

Solemnity of Pentecost

 Solemnity of Pentecost

Fifty days after Easter

In honor of the Holy Spirit - wear RED to holy Mass today!

 

"The world needs men and women who are not closed

in on themselves, but filled with the Holy Spirit."

 

Pope Francis,  Pentecost Homily 2015  (full text - see link below)

 

Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (Romans 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history (Ezekiel 47:5). 

 

 Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

 

Artist: Juan de Flandes

 

"The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith, but recapitulates the heart of the mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways she joyfully experiences the constant fulfillment of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20), but in the Holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence with unique intensity.

Ever since Pentecost, when the Church, the People of the New Covenant, began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, the Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days, filling them with confident hope." (Introduction, 1)

 

Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia

Pope St John Paul II

On the Eucharist in its relationship to the Church

 

"There is no greater freedom than that

of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit,

renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, 

and instead letting him enlighten, guide, and direct us, 

leading us wherever He wills. 

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. 

This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!" 

 Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium #280

 

Click here: The Pope's homily (2015)on Pentecost Sunday Vatican Radio

"I am _____ of Jesus!"

 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body

- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -

and we were all given one Spirit to drink. - I Cor 12:13

 

 

"Sometimes, after Holy Communion, having Our Lord within me, I (Columba Marmion) follow in spirit His life, His successive states; I adore Him in the Father's bosom, in the pure bosom of the Virgin that He chose as His abode; I go to Bethlehem, to Nazareth, to the desert, to Calvary. 

I unite myself in this way to Jesus in each of His states, and in this contact with Him I receive the grace of all His mysteries.

Holy Communion makes us abide in Christ and He in us. You know the story of Saint Teresa of Avila and of the Infant Jesus.  Well, after Communion I say to Our Lord:  "I am Columba of Jesus!" and He could say to me:  "I am Jesus of Columba!"

Dom Raymund Thibault

Abbot Columba Marmion:

A Master of the Spiritual Life

 

Remember to wear RED to Pentecost Mass

(Saturday anticipatory/Sunday)

God saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This Spirit he lavished on us through Jesus Christ our Savior...

Titus 3:5b, 6

Solemnity of Pentecost

 Solemnity of Pentecost

In honor of the Holy Spirit - wear RED to holy Mass today!

Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (Romans 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history (Ezekiel 47:5). 

 Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

The Holy Spirit "leads us to perceive the Lord’s presence and love in our lives, and moves us to respond joyfully in prayer and adoration."

- Pope Francis, 4 June 2014

 St Cyril of Jerusalem, in his Catecheses, states that we

"call upon God in His mercy

to send His Holy Spirit

upon the offerings before us,

to transform the bread into the Body of Christ

and the wine into the Blood of Christ.

Whatever the Holy Spirit touches is

sanctified and completely transformed."

  

 

 

The Pentecost Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;

You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend:

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.

---

One way to celebrate today...

Click here: Catholic Cuisine: Flaming Cupcakes for Pentecost!

"There is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself 

to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt 

to plan and control everything to the last detail, 

and instead letting him enlighten, guide, and direct us, 

leading us wherever he wills. 

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. 

This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!" 

Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium #280

Click here: ZENIT - Pope Francis -Pentecost Homily 

Pentecost - sanctified and transformed

 In honor of the Holy Spirit - wear RED to holy Mass today!

Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (Romans 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history (Ezekiel 47:5). 

 

 Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

 

 

Pentecost ~ Istvan Dorffmaister

St Cyril of Jerusalem, in his Catecheses, states that we

"call upon God in His mercy

to send His Holy Spirit

upon the offerings before us,

to transform the bread into the Body of Christ

and the wine into the Blood of Christ.

 

Whatever the Holy Spirit touches is

sanctified and completely transformed."

 

 

"Dear brothers and sisters,

We need to allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the light of the Holy Spirit, so that he may bring us into the Truth of God, who is the only Lord of our lives. In this Year of Faith let us ask ourselves if we have taken any concrete steps to know more about Christ and the truth of the faith, by reading and meditating on the Scripture, studying the Catechism, approaching the Sacraments with constancy.

But let us ask ourselves at the same time, what steps are we taking so that faith may guide all our existence. One isn't a Christian "part time", at certain moments, in certain circumstances, in some choices. One cannot be a Christian like this. One is a Christian at all times!  Totally! The truth of Christ, which the Holy Spirit teaches us and gives us, forever and totally affects our daily lives. Let us invoke him more often so that he may guide us on the road of the disciples of Christ. Let us invoke him every day. I make this proposal to you: let us invoke the Holy Spirit every day, thus the Holy Spirit will draw us close to Jesus Christ. Thank you!"

Pope Francis – Wednesday Audience, 5/16/13