Year C
Discover the deeper meaning and connections found in this week's readings, through these great commentaries written by our priests.
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Acts 2:1-11
The description of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is dramatic. The Spirit fills the timid disciples with courage. Their success in preaching to representatives of so many nations gathered in Jerusalem highlights the Church's universal mission.
Romans 8:8-17
The Spirit is central to our lives as brothers and sisters of Christ. It is only with the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us that we can be truly alive. It is only by the Spirit that we can overcome sin. It is only by the Spirit that we become children of God, that we can be free from fear, and that we can pray, "Abba! Father!"
John 14:15-16, 23-26
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples and all of us about the Trinity of love. The Spirit will come as our Helper to be with us for ever, helping us to live the love of the Trinity, to be loved by the Father who, with Christ, will come and make their home with us. The Spirit will teach us all things, above all, to live in the love of the Father and the Son, to live in the Spirit.
As I write these notes at the end of April, I wonder how the Church and the world will be on this Pentecost Sunday. We shall have a new Pope. No doubt, the need for peace, for stability, and for love in action will be greater than ever. And the Spirit, flowing forth from Christ on the cross as he breathed his last and his side was pierced, will be with us to persevere and live Christ's sacrificial love for the world.
"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love."
“Pentecost” comes 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 RM p.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
Note: These hymns have been chosen from different sources.
Breathe on me, Breath of God (CFE98, L302, LHON182, TCH91)
Come down, O love divine (CFE125, L303, LHON209, TCH92)
Come Holy Ghost, Creator, come (CFE126, L296, LHON210 TCH93)
Spirit of the Living God (CFE666, L306, LHON630
Veni Sancte Spirtus (CFE759, L307, LHON896)
Key
CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone
L – Laudate
LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)
TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)
Do you have questions about the liturgy and how we are called to participate in it? Explore how the Church councils, saints, and popes have answered this key question and many more.
Every movement of the Mass is rich in meaning but we can become over-familiar with it. Rediscover the Mass and explore how it relates to the Exodus story, where many of its rituals come from, and how it makes Jesus present to us today.
