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).
Source:Directory on Popular Piety
