What is Pentecost?

5 min

Awaiting theological review

The simple answer

Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after Easter. It remembers the day when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles, gathered in prayer with Mary in Jerusalem. Frightened men became bold witnesses, and people from many nations heard them speak of Jesus in their own languages. That is why Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church. It closes the Easter season. The colour is red, the colour of fire and of the Spirit's love.

In the Bible

Scripture

On the day of Pentecost, a sound like a mighty wind fills the house, tongues as of fire rest on each of them, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues.

Acts of the Apostles 2:1–13

Scripture

Peter preaches to the crowd, quoting the prophet Joel: God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh. About three thousand people are baptised that day.

Acts of the Apostles 2:14–41

Scripture

Pentecost was already a Jewish feast, the feast of Weeks, celebrated fifty days after Passover to thank God for the harvest.

Leviticus 23:15–16

Scripture

Before his death, Jesus promises the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, who will teach the disciples all things; after the Resurrection he breathes on them and says: receive the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16–17 · John 14:26 · John 20:22

Interpretation

Many Fathers of the Church saw Pentecost as the reversal of Babel: there, human pride scattered the languages; here, the Spirit gathers the nations in one faith.

Genesis 11:1–9

Scripture

Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22–23

Where it comes from

Early Christian source

The first Christians celebrated the fifty days from Easter to Pentecost as one long feast, without fasting or kneeling.

Tertullian, On Baptism 19 (c. 200; locator awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Historical context

In the early Church, Pentecost, like Easter, was a day for baptisms.

Tradition

The sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus, sung at Mass on Pentecost, dates from around 1200 and is often attributed to Stephen Langton, archbishop of Canterbury; the attribution is not certain.

Church teaching

In 1897 Pope Leo XIII asked the whole Church to prepare for Pentecost with a novena to the Holy Spirit.

Leo XIII, Divinum Illud Munus (1897; locator awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

What the Church teaches

Catechism

No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit; the Spirit is the one who first awakens faith in us.

CCC 683

Catechism

To believe in the Holy Spirit is to profess that he is one of the persons of the Holy Trinity, consubstantial with the Father and the Son.

CCC 685

Church teaching

On Pentecost the Paschal mystery of Christ is fulfilled by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Trinity is fully revealed.

Catechism 731-732 (numbers awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Catechism

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

CCC 1831

A common misunderstanding

Pentecost happened once, long ago, or the Holy Spirit is only for a few especially spiritual people.

In fact

Every baptised person receives the Holy Spirit, and Confirmation strengthens that gift. Pentecost is not only a memory: the Church prays every day for the Spirit to come again.

Why it matters today

When you do not know how to pray, ask the Holy Spirit for help before a decision, an exam or a hard conversation. Look at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians and ask which one you need most this week.

Bible passages

Acts of the Apostles 2:1–13 · Acts of the Apostles 2:14–41 · Leviticus 23:15–16 · John 14:16–17 · John 14:26 · John 20:22 · Genesis 11:1–9 · Galatians 5:22–23

Catechism

CCC 683; 685; 1831 ↗