The Feast of the Pentecost

This year Pentecost falls on June 8. It is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday and is the conclusion of Eastertide. It marks the very birth of the Christian Church, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in the Cenacle (the Upper Room).

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.” (Acts 2:2-6)

It was immediately following Pentecost when Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached his first homily.

He told Jews and non-believers that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was the Lord, and that He had been raised from the dead. The people were cut to the heart when they heard this, and they asked what they should do.
Peter exhorted them to repent of their sins and to be baptized. About 3000 people were baptized that day. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the apostles boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world, leading to the spread of Christianity worldwide.

We are also called to share our faith with others, like the Apostles, taking part in the Church’s mission of evangelization.
The tradition of the Novena originated from the Feast of Pentecost. Mary and the Apostles prayed together in the Cenacle for 9 days following Christ’s Ascension into heaven, until the Holy Spirit came down upon them.
These days, we invoke the Holy Spirit’s grace and power to renew our faith, praying the Cenacle prayers along with the Rosary.

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