Happy Birthday Catholic Church!

Put the candles on the cake and let the Holy Spirit light the fire, it’s time to wish the church a Happy Birthday! 

The feast of Pentecost, celebrated June 5 this year, marks the birth of the church when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, Mary and the first followers of Jesus, emboldening them to go out and preach the Gospel.

The feast of Pentecost occurs 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection and 10 days after his ascension.

In St. Luke’s Gospel Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem after his resurrection, reassuring his terrified followers that he was not a ghost but real, showing them the wounds from his crucifixion and asking for a piece of fish. He then opens their minds to Scripture and gives them a command, saying, “You are witnesses of these things. And (behold) I am sending the promise of my father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Lk 24:48-49). 

The concept of novenas takes root in Pentecost in that after Christ’s ascension, the disciples kept a nine-day vigil of prayer, waiting the Holy Spirit’s arrival.  

Then that long-awaited day came which is described in vivid detail in Chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles.

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” 

That divine “spark” of the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in many different tongues to a large crowd. 

That divine “spark” of the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in many different tongues to a large crowd. To their amazement, the people, who were from different parts of the world, heard the message in their native language. They were shocked and bewildered and some even accused the disciples of drinking too much “new wine.”

St. Peter quickly cleared up that misconception and delivered a fiery speech of repentance. From there, the formerly timid disciples went forth from Jerusalem and preached the Gospel.

There are various celebrations of Pentecost throughout the world. The most notable, perhaps, is in Italy, where Pentecost Sunday is known as “Pascha Rosatum,” or “the Feast of Roses.” Rose petals, representing the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit descending on those gathered, are scattered from the ceiling of various cathedrals and churches while “Veni Creator Spiritus” is sung at the conclusion of Mass. 

In Rome, the rose ritual is held in the Pantheon. A Roman fire brigade throws the rose petals on the crowd during the special Pentecost Mass, representing the descent of the Holy Spirit on the faithful like tongues of fire.

In Catholic and other Western churches, priests often wear red vestments during Pentecost to symbolize the “tongues of fire” that descended on the disciples from the Holy Spirit.

While the church has its moments of “risings” and “fallings,” the Holy Spirit continues working and making its presence known, with connections particularly seen in the sacrament of confirmation and Catholic Charismatic group gatherings.

Happy Birthday, church! Keep the flames of the candles burning brightly.