Pentecost Blessings!

  This wonderful prayer seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is simple yet powerful. In it, we ask that the fire of God’s infinite love burn within us to recreate and renew us. We ask that we receive and take to heart the truths pro claimed by Christ so that we become truly wise and holy. This simple prayer has a long history.   

Prayers invoking the Holy Spirit go back into the early mists of our faith. Of course, we know that Jesus promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit and that Mary and the early disciples were in the upper room praying when the Holy Spirit came upon them at the first Pentecost. There are several references to invoking the Holy Spirit in the writings of theologians as early as the third century. In the 800s, a Frankish Benedictine monk named Rabanus Maurus (c. 780 – 856), wrote a hymn entitled, Veni Creator Spiritus, or Come, Creator Spirit. The prayer begins, “Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come….” Among other times the Veni Creator Spiritus is used, this ancient hymn is one that is part of the ceremonies for a papal election.

In the 1200s, a similar but different prayer entitled Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit), the author of which is de bated, was incorporated into the Mass as the Sequence for the celebration of Pentecost. We will hear this Sequence at our liturgies this weekend. The shorter prayer at the beginning of this message takes its inspiration from these ancient texts and is designed for personal daily use.

This Pentecost, we do indeed ask that the Holy Spirit renew us, reinvigorate us, kindle in us the fire of Christ’s love. We hear the advice that St. Paul gave to Timothy, “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). May the gift of the Spirit of God given us at baptism and confirmation indeed be the driving force of our lives, guiding us, consoling us, strengthening us to live our faith with enthusiasm and deep commitment. 

Jesus, risen from the dead and ascended in glory, send your Holy Spirit upon us. Holy Mary, you who always followed the promptings of the Spirit. Pray for us that the flame of faith and love will always burn brightly in our hearts.

Father Craig