The Feast of Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday, celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after Easter. This event which marks the beginning of the Church is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostles were gathered together probably talking about their future mission when a violent wind came upon them and flames of fire appeared among them and rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability. God the Holy Spirit is God in action working in us and in the world today, bringing about change and transformation.

‘Hail all you holy virtues
which through the grace and light of the Holy Spirit
are poured into the hearts of the faithful
so that from their faithless state
you may make them faithful to God.’

(Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by St Francis) 

Icon of Pentecost by Sr Theresa Margaret CHN (used with permission)	Music for reflection: Veni Sanctus Spiritus by Margaret Rizza from'Light in our Darkness' Copyright: Kevin Mayhew Ltd (used with permission)