Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and Saint Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). .

 

                                       It  marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

 

On that day, ten days after the Ascension of Our Lord, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where they had seen Jesus after His Resurrection:

 

Suddenly, the sound of a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were given the power of communication, which

Peter used to begin the ministry for which Jesus had prepared him.

 

After  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  disciples  did  not stay in the room basking in God’s glory

but burst out to tell the world.

This was the beginning of the church as we know it  and for that reason, it is often called......

                                                               "the birthday of the Church."

Since that time so many years ago every person who has believed in the Lord Jesus has received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.  We don’t see flames of fire resting on our heads or hear loud wind noises but we do receive the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live lives that please God.

 

When we are Confirmed that same Holy Spirit comes upon us and rekindles that same power which will guide us every day. The  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit  are :

 Wisdom, Understanding,  Counsel,  Fortitude,  Knowledge,  Piety   and  the  Fear of the Lord.

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The Holy Spirit is often depicted in art  as a dove or tongues of fire.

The word 'paraclete' is an English translation of words from Latin and Greek  which mean 'comforter, intercessor, counsel or advocate'.

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