The Greek word "Pente" means fifty. Count up the days from
Easter to Pentecost, and you will find there are fifty.
Pentecost is of course one of the great feasts of the Church - in
effect the Church's birthday. It is the great day on which we recall
the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles - just as
Christ had promised - and the start of their great ministry in which
they started to take the Gospel out across the whole world. Two thousand
years later, the Church has spread to lands the Apostles didn't even
know existed and could never have imagined - all across Europe and
to America, Australia... God has never abandoned the Church. The Holy
Spirit is still with us, still pouring out gifts.
An old English name for Pentecost is Whitsun. This commemorates the
white robes worn by the newly-baptised at this time. We still wear
white robes for baptism - in fact the handing over of a white garment
is an important part of the ceremony. Many families have christening
robes which are family heirlooms, in which generations of children
have been baptised. White is also the traditional colour worn for
First Communions and also of course by brides on their wedding day.
In the early part of the 20th century the "Whit walks"
were a major feature of life in some British cities, notably Manchester.
Catholic parishes, groups and organisations walked in procession through
the city streets with music and hymns.
Wearing White
There are lots of good ways to make the celebration of Pentecost
come alive in our homes and in our parish communities. Some families
pick up the theme of wearing something white - a white blouse, a white
scarf, or simply a white hankerchief tucked in the pocket. And you
can serve white food for fun - meringues and fresh whipped cream!
The traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit is that of a white dove.
Remember how the Spirit appeared in this form at the Baptism of Christ?
A dove is quite an easy shape to draw - and you can find artwork on
the Internet which you can download. Copied on to card and cut out,
and with "feathers" stuck on, made of tissue paper, doves
can be made into a mobile for a child's room, to be discovered on
Pentecost morning, or as a central decoration for the Pentecost breakfast
or lunch table.
Another idea is to create "flames", flame-shapes cut out
of red and orange and yellow paper. These commemorate the Holy Spirit
descending on to the Apostles at the first Pentecost in the form of
tongues of fire. Use coloured card, tissue paper, poster paints, felt-tips,
and your creative skills and imagination. Now turn to the Bible and
the Catechism. Write the names of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit on
to the flames, and use these as part of a table decoration for Pentecost.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
These gifts have glorious names, and we can talk about them as we
cut and colour: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge,
Piety, and the Awe of the Lord. Perhaps we can think of ways in which
we can use these gifts for the glory of God. Which saints showed them
in which ways? How can we make sure that we are open to God's gifts,
and to opportunities for using them?
The
great events of Pentecost make good drama. With a group of children,
the story of the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room, fearful and
terrified, and then their transformation with the arrival of the Spirit,
can be turned into a vivid drama in which everyone can share. Have
the flames ready with the names of the Gifts written on them. Invite
the audience to help with the "whhooooooh!" sound made by
the rush of the wind as the Holy Spirit descends. When the children,
playing the parts of the Apostles, have acted out receiving the Holy
Spirit, they fan out into the audience, handing out the flames with
the Gifts written on them. We could end with a rousing hymn in which
all can share "Come, holy Ghost, creator come..." and with
a prayer "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of your love...."
A Pentecost quiz is a stimulating way of learning - or -relearning
- some of the truths of our Faith. What were the names of the Apostles?
Which one doubted Christ's resurrection? Which one denied Our Lord?
Which became the first Pope? Which was a tax-collector? Can we list
the Ten Commandments? The seven Sacraments? The three Cardinal Virtues?
Where was Our Lord born? Which country gave him refuge when his life
was threatened when he was a baby? Where did he spend his childhood?
Where did he perform his first miracle? Mix easy questions in with
harder ones, and give everyone a chance to join in. A quiz can be
devised beforehand and the questions either posed to two competing
teams, or simply called out informally to everyone, with applause
for every correct answer. Tip: have the answers checked and available
for consultation purposes and to resolve disputes!
A time to recall Confirmation
Pentecost is also a time for recalling our own Confirmation and discussing
its significance. Perhaps photographs and commemorative gifts and
certificates could be produced, and memories shared. It's important
for children to understand that spiritual gifts are not the same as
feelings and that even though we may not "feel" any dramatic
refreshment or strength on the day of our Confirmation, an anointing
has taken place and great strength given to our souls. This is a good
time to explain the significance of the oils that are used at Confirmation,
and the role of the Bishop, who is a successor of the Apostles and
links us right back to the earliest days of the Church.
And all of this should also be a call to prayer. How often do we,
in our homes and families, pray for our Bishop? He may not seem to
figure much in our daily lives, merely a presence at some big event
or a name mentioned at Mass. But he is very important to us - he has
been given the charge of the Church in our area and in a sense we
are his spiritual children. He needs and deserves our prayers. On
Pentecost Sunday, and during the days that follow, we could make a
point of praying for our Bishop by name, invoking the aid of his Patron
saint, and of great bishops of the past like St Charles Borromeo and
St John Fisher, heroes and pastors who served their people with courage
and love and faith.
It's a great pity to let Pentecost slip by without celebrating -
it's a season of rich promise with a message of hope and encouragement
for every Christian.
