Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Fifty days after Easter we celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost, in which we recall the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit, who – as wind and as fire – descended upon the Apostles gathered together in the Cenacle, and made them able to preach the Gospel to all nations with courage (cf. Acts 2:1-13).” These were the Pope's words in addressing faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, prior to the recitation of the Regina Caeli. The Pope recalled the account of the Acts of the Apostles and mentioned how “the Church in fact lives constantly from the effusion of the Holy Spirit, without which she would exhaust her own powers, like a ship with sails and no wind. Pentecost is renewed in a special way in certain powerful moments, whether this be at the local or the universal level, whether it be in small assemblies or in great convocations...in which the power of God is perceived in an evident way, infusing joy and enthusiasm in souls.”
Reflecting on the relationship between Pentecost and the Virgin Mary, the Pope continued: “Thus, there is no Church without Pentecost. And I would like to add: There is no Pentecost without the Virgin Mary. This is how it was at the beginning, in the Cenacle...And this is how it always is, in every place and in every time. I witnessed it a short time ago at Fatima...Wherever Christians gather in prayer with Mary, the Lord grants his Spirit.” Lastly, he called for a “renewed effusion of the Paraclete” for the entire Church, “in particular, in this Year for Priests, for all the ministers of the Gospel, that the message of salvation be announced to all the nations.”
After the Marian prayer, the Holy Spirit recalled the Day of Prayer for the Church in China with these words: “Tomorrow, May 24, the liturgical memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, offers us the possibility of celebrating the Day of Prayer for the Church in China. While the faithful in China pray that the unity between them and with the universal Church continues to deepen, Catholics throughout the world -- particularly those of Chinese origin -- unite with them in prayer and in charity, that the Holy Spirit may fill our hearts especially on today’s solemnity.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 24/05/2010)
