+ THOUGHTS FOR PENTECOST +

What the Dove was at Christ’s Jordan Baptism, and the tongues of fire at Pentecost, that the one visible Church is now: the witness of the mission, coming and perpetual presence of the Spirit of the Father and of the Son.#

Make up your mind now that not a day shall pass from this day to your last, without some act of adoration to the Person of the Holy Ghost, without some act of reparation made to Him for your own sins and for the sins of other men. Say day by day the majestic Hymn of the Church, the “Veni Creator Spiritus”; or say every day, seven times, in honour of the Holy Ghost, the “Gloria Patri”, to obtain His seven gifts.
Raise your hearts to the Holy Spirit Who came at Pentecost and make a daily act of adoration to Him out of the fulness of your soul!

(Cardinal Manning)

Bishop Anthony writes: The great event celebrated by the Feast of Pentecost is the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles and the birth of the Catholic Church. This descent, the gift of GOD, is the ultimate Revelation of the most HOLY TRINITY. Pentecost confirms our own vocation in the true Faith and our admission into the One Church founded by Jesus Christ. Red vestments are worn at Mass throughout the Pentecost Octave in memory of the tongues of fire and also to remind us that the Apostles are witnesses of the Gospel – even to the shedding of their blood. Let us implore the Holy Spirit Who is Himself truly GOD, to come into our own poor souls at Pentecost and to enlighten us with all his good and gentle gifts:- Peace, Charity, Joy, Patience, Forbearance, Goodness, Kindness, Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Chastity, Continency. It was only by the Coming of the Holy Spirit that the Apostles, still struggling to understand fully what Christ willed for them, were lead into the complete knowledge of Christ’s truth. Jesus Himself said to them before His Ascension: “The word which you have heard is not mine but the Father’s Who sent Me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you; but the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I have said to you.”

Let us pray:

O GOD, Who at this time didst instruct the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Holy Spirit to relish what is right end ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, God living and reigning with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit.

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And a passing thought:

If the heart be right with God, He will weigh the rest in a balance of compassion.

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OUR LADY OF VICTORIES AND SAINT PANCRAS, PRAY FOR US!

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