The Solemnity of Pentecost

There is a very beautiful hymn, thought to have been written in the 9th Century AD, by Rabanus Maurus, which is very appropriate to this Solemnity and which, fortunately, has not been excluded from modern Catholic hymn books. In it we pray, “Come Holy Ghost, Creator, Come…….take possession of our Souls and make them all Thine own”.
 
On Pentecost Day we celebrate what is sometimes referred to as the Birthday of the Church, the day when, Confirmed by the Holy Spirit, the timid, fearful and, perhaps, uncertain Apostles, the first Bishops of the Catholic Church boldly emerged from their hiding place. Strengthened by the Gifts of the Spirit, the same Gifts given to each of us at our Confirmation, they gave, quite literally, their all. They received the following seven gifts and attributes:

The window depicting the Dove of the Holy Spirit set into the Throne of St. Peter at the front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome (Gian Lorenzo Bernini - 1598-1860)

Wisdom, which helps us choose God’s way of living, understanding the often challenging teachings of the Church, having compassion and tolerance for the weak, while also being ever ready to ‘grasp the nettle’, to be unpopular – in other words, ‘un-politically correct’ - and point out error, even if we are not thanked for it!
 
Understanding helps us to see the deep meaning of the truths of our Faith and to hold onto them.
 
Right Judgement (Counsel) helps us make choices to live as a faithful follower of Jesus, to see the danger of certain ‘alternative’ ways of living.
​
Courage (Fortitude) helps us stand up for our faith in Christ, avoiding anything which, while the worldly-wise might approve, will separate us from God; this may even separate us from friends who cannot or will not see why we believe and live as we do.

Knowledge, again, helps us choose the path that will lead to God. It encourages us to avoid whatever will keep us from Him.
 
Reverence (Piety) helps us worship and serve God and inspires us to joyfully want to serve Him and others.
 
Wonder and Awe bring us to see how utterly great God is, and to love Him so much that we do not want to offend Him by anything we say or do. This Gift is also known as Fear of The Lord, which, if explained correctly, emphasises love and devotion which move us to obey God; far from fearing so Loving a Father, we fear the sins which can separate us from Him.
 
How childlike are we in our following of God? Let us pray anew for a renewal of these Gifts in our souls and in those of our young people who are growing up in an increasingly godless world.

Let us also pray for all our Confirmation Candidates who will be receiving this great Sacrament on
Friday 30 June 2017.