Today is Pentecost Sunday, which may be better called the Feast of the Holy Spirit. Actually, the meaning of the word Pentecost is “fiftieth.” For early Christian people, Ascension occurred on the 40th day after Easter which recognized the 40th day after the death of a person. This Pentecost feast occurred seven weeks, or 50 days, after the Passover feast. For Christians, especially Catholics, this feast occurs after the resurrection of Jesus.

Pentecost Sunday is always associated with the descent and giving as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This Pentecost feast is called also the Birthday of the Church. It is because even though the apostles received the Holy Spirit on Christ’s first appearance to them after His Resurrection, it was on Pentecost Day that this descent of the Holy Spirit became a public manifestation by which the crowds were amazed. People with different languages could understand the apostles’ preaching even though they spoke in their own tongue. It is good to talk about the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit is the proper name of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is true God just like the Father and the Son. Jesus calls Him the “Paraclete,” literally meaning, “He who is called to one side,” or “Advocate,” and commonly translated as “Consoler.”

The Sacrament of Confirmation is particularly the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit. Through this sacrament we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. If we use these Gifts we shall receive as rewards the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, namely: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Benignity, Goodness, Long-suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continence, and Chastity.

My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, on this Feast Day we shall thank God for sending the Advocate or Consoler to help us in our difficult moments of life. We pray the Good Lord to inspire us with His Spirit to always make right decisions at right times in our lives.

With love and prayers,

Fr. Charley