Fr. Louis Cona of New York describes Pentecost as the “preeminent celebration of the Holy Spirit,” taking place on Sunday, May 19, seven weeks after Easter. The story of Pentecost, as outlined in the Acts of the Apostles, involves a strong wind, tongues of fire, and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ disciples. The Acts of the Apostles is traditionally attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist, with the emergence of Christianity from its Jewish origins to a worldwide religion being a key theme.
Celebrated 50 days after Easter, Pentecost is seen as the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission to “set the earth on fire.” This event symbolizes God’s dynamic and constantly rejuvenating spirit within the Church and its members. The feast of Pentecost is not just a celebration of the Holy Spirit but rather of the sending of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the continuous renewal and animation of the Church through God’s gift.
As a parish priest, Cona witnesses the work of the Holy Spirit through various sacraments, particularly in the healing of the sick through prayer and anointing. He also sees the passion for truth, goodness, and friendship in young people as a reflection of the Spirit working within them. The desire for deeper meaning and purpose in life is attributed to the Spirit leading individuals towards truth, as stated in John 16:13.
On Pentecost, Catholic Mass features a special sequence called “Veni Sancte Spiritus” or “Come Holy Spirit,” which teaches about the remarkable actions of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers. This hymn highlights the Spirit’s ability to melt hardened hearts, warm egos, and bring unity among believers by overcoming pride, fear, and isolation. Cona prays for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit to melt the hardness of sin and violence in the world, bringing peace, unity, and eternal joy to all.
Cona’s professor in seminary emphasized that Pentecost is not just a feast of the Holy Spirit but a celebration of the sending of the Holy Spirit, highlighting Christ’s greatest gift to the Church. The Holy Spirit gives life to the Church, renews it from within, and animates all of its members, creating a community driven by God’s spirit. The movement of the Holy Spirit is seen as active and alive in the Church’s sacraments, attracting individuals towards truth, goodness, and friendship grounded in the Gospel.
Pentecost Sunday serves as a reminder of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples following his Ascension into Heaven. The descent of the Holy Spirit symbolizes God’s continuous presence within the Church, dynamically renewing and reinvigorating its faithful. The celebration of Pentecost calls for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the world, melting the hardness of sin and violence to bring about peace, unity, and eternal joy for all believers.
