Meaning of Pentecost

All About Pentecost

The Pentecost Novena

155. The New Testament tells us that during the period between the Ascension
and Pentecost "all...joined in continuous prayer, together with several
women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers"
(Acts 1, 14) while they awaited being "clothed with the power from on
high" (Lk 24, 49). The pious exercise of the Pentecost novena, widely
practised among the faithful, emerged from prayerful reflection on this
salvific event.

Indeed, this novena is already present in the Missal and in the Liturgy of the
Hours, especially in the second vespers of Pentecost: the biblical and
eucological texts, in different ways, recall the disciples' expectation of the
Paraclete. Where possible, the Pentecost novena should consist of the solemn
celebration of vespers. Where such is not possible, the novena should try to
reflect the liturgical themes of the days from Ascension to the Vigil of
Pentecost.

In some places, the week of prayer for the unity Christians is celebrated at
this time(159).

Pentecost Sunday

156. Eastertide concludes with Pentecost Sunday, the fiftieth day, and its
commemoration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (cf. Acts
2, 1-4), the Church's foundation, and the beginning of its mission to all
nations and peoples. The protracted celebration of the vigil Mass has a
particular importance in cathedrals and some parishes, since it reflects the
intense persevering prayer of the Christian community in imitation of the
Apostles united in prayer with Mother of Jesus(160).

The mystery of Pentecost exhorts us to prayer and commitment to mission and
enlightens popular piety which is a "continued sign of the presence of the
Holy Spirit in the Church. He arouses faith, hope and charity, in the hearts
[of the faithful] and those ecclesial virtues which make popular piety
valuable. The same Spirit ennobles the numerous and varied ways of
transmitting the Christian message according to the culture and customs of all
times and places"(161).

The faithful are well used to invoking the Holy Spirit especially when
initiating new undertakings or works or in times of particular difficulties.
Often they use formulas taken from the celebration of Pentecost (Veni Creator
Spiritus, Veni Sancte Spiritus)(162) or short prayers of supplication (Emitte
Spiritum tuum et creabuntur). The third glorious mystery of the Rosary invites
the faithful to meditate on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Confirmation
they are conscious of receiving the Spirit of wisdom and counsel to guide and
assist them; the Spirit of strength and light to help them make important
decisions and to sustain the trials of life. The faithful are also aware that
through Baptism their bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit to be respected
and honoured, even in death, and they know that the body will be raised up on
the last day through the power of the Holy Spirit.

While the Holy Spirit gives access to communion with God in prayer, he also
prompts us towards service of our neighbour by encountering him, by
reconciliation, by witness, by a desire for justice and peace, by renewal of
outlook, by social progress and missionary commitment(163). In some Christian
communities, Pentecost is celebrated as a "day of intercession for the
missions"(164).

from the Directory On Popular Piety and the Liturgy, Principles and
Guidelines: by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline
of the Sacraments

Pentecost: The Spirit Behind Catholic Internet Mission

The spirit in which this website was built came from the document on the
36th World Communications Day Message. The document begins by mentioning
the Pentecost event that spurred the apostles to go out into the world to
proclaim the Gospel. It is in this same spirit that the Holy Father, John
Paul II, commissions those in the social communications media, to go out
into the deep of the Net to proclaim the Gospel. More on this at the
webpage, Pentecost Mission.

Exploring a Pentecost Theology

The new way of doing theology is usually done through three steps:

Looking at various aspects from the human point of view
Judging what was seen from a Judaeo-Christian framework of reference
Acting according to what is called for by this theological process

The only difference with exploring a Pentecost theology with the Internet
medium is that the experience of communication is electronically-mediated.
More on this at Pentecost Theology.

Dennis-Emmanuel Cabrera
May 1, 2005

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