Acts 2:1-11

The sound of a mighty rushing wind and the sight of divided tongues of fire resting on the Apostles all gathered together mark the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. The wind and the fire recall the giving of the Law at Sinai. The many languages newly understood cancel out the confusion of Babel. The Holy Spirit comes across as a powerful, external force.

1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13

St.Paul mentions the Spirit five times in this short passage not as an external force but as an internal force dwelling within the believer to animate us with different gifts, with a variety of service and of activities as the one Body of Christ for the common goof.

John 20:19-23

This fabulous passage from the Gospel of John "on the evening of that day, the first day of the week" presents us with the disciples' first sight of the Risen Christ who greets them with words to peace, who breathes on them the Spirit of forgiveness, and who sends them forth in the power of the same Spirit. 

Just over fifty days ago I had the privilege of presiding at the Chrism Mass in Northampton. The first two readings were read in Tagalog and Swahili. Immediately, I thought of Pentecost. And Pentecost came to mind again when I breathed on the Oil of Chrism and consecrated it. It must have been the same in Portsmouth. Together we are the anointed Body of Christ with all our different gifts, activities and ways of service, motivated and empowered by the Spirit of Christ. What a calling we have in our broken world. Come, Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth!

“Pentecost” come from the Greek for “fiftieth” as it occurs on the fiftieth day from Easter, inclusive. It is also known as “Whit Sunday” referencing the white garment worn by those baptized at Easter. It is also the Jewish festival of Shavot, which is why so many people are in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost (See First Reading of Mass during the Day).

Pentecost marks the end of Eastertide. Note the Preface: “For, bringing your Paschal Mystery to its completion”. Also, the dismissal has a double “Alleluia” and the Paschal Candle is removed from the sanctuary to the baptistry.

Vigil: There is a separate Vigil Mass for Pentecost that has extended and standard forms. The extended form is like the Easter Vigil and may be combined with Vespers as laid out in the rubrics (see RMp.487 and Lectionary for the choice of readings).

Mass during the Day: The First Reading, Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Preface are identical for Years A, B and C. The Second Reading and Gospel may be those of Year A or Years B and C ad libitum.

The Sequence “Veni Sancte Spiritus” must be said or sung. The “Veni” dates from the thirteenth Century and was composed(almost certainly) by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury.

For a very short treatment of Pentecost see CCC para. 731-732

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These hymns have been chosen from various sources:

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Spirit of God, rest on your people (CFE909, L309)

Diverse in culture, nation, race (L841)

One bread, one body (CFE578, L832)

Sing a new church (CFE671, L836)

Breathe on me breath of God (CFE98 L302)

Abba Father send your Spirit (CFE8, L293)

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Key

CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone

L – Laudate

LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)

TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)