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They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. “The gift of Wisdom is an illumination of the Holy Ghost, thanks to which our intellect is able to look at revealed truths in their more sublime light, to the greater joy of our souls.” Our Lord laid the foundations of His Church during His public life, and after His resurrection He gave it the powers necessary for its mission. It was by the Holy Ghost that the apostles were to be trained and endued with strength from on High (Gospel). “At Pentecost we celebrate the first manifestation of the Holy Ghost among our Lord’s disciples and the foundation of the Church itself.” Hence the choice of the basilica dedicated to St. Peter for today’s station. We read in the Gospel that our Lord foretold the coming of the Paraclete to His disciples and the Epistle shows us the realization of that promise. It was at the third hour of the day (Terce, nine o’clock A. M.) that the Spirit of God descended upon the Cenacle and a mighty wind which blew suddenly upon the house, together with the appearance of tongues of fire within, were the wonderful tokens of His coming. Taught by the “light of Thy Holy Spirit” (Collect), and filled by the gifts of the same Spirit poured out upon them (Sequence), the apostles become new men to go forth and renew the whole world (Introit). It is at High Mass, at the third hour, that we also receive the Holy Spirit whom our Lord “going up above all the heavens, on this day sent down… on the children of adoption” (Preface); for each of the mysteries of the cycle brings forth its fruits of grace in our souls on the day which the Church keeps as its anniversary. During Advent we raised to the Incarnate Word the cry: “Come Lord, and purge the sins of Thy people”; at this season let us, with the Church, say to the Holy Ghost, “Come, O Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love” (Alleluia). Of all ejaculatory prayers this is the most beautiful and necessary, for from the Holy Ghost, that “sweet Guest of our soul” flows all our supernatural life. |
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Introit |
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| Spíritus Dómini replévit orbem terrárum, allelúia: et hoc quod cóntinet ómnia, sciéntiam habet vocis, allelúia, allelúia, allelúia. Ps. lxvii. 2. Exsúrgat Deus, et dissipéntur inimíci ejus: et fúgiant, qui odérunt eum, a fácie ejus. v. Glória Patri. | The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world, alleluia; and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His face. v. Glory be. | ||
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Collect |
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| Deus, qui hodiérna die corda fidélium Sancti Spíritus illustratióne docuísti: da nobis in eódem Spíritu recta sápere; et de ejus semper consolatióne gaudére. Per Dóminum… in unitáte ejúsdem. | O God, who on this day didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and ever rejoice in His holy consolation. Through our Lord… in the unity of the same. | ||
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Epistle |
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| You have heard,” says St. Gregory, “how the Holy Ghost came down on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire, for, as St. Paul says, ‘Our God is a consuming fire’. By this he means an incorporeal and invisible fire which burns up the rust of sin and drives away the mist caused by the coldness of our hearts, at the same time kindling there the desire of eternal things. The Holy Ghost was manifested in the form of tongues of fire because He has made those whom He has filled, aflame with zeal and speaking the language of heaven. Besides, while they were preaching the God whom men ought to love, they enkindled the hearts of their hearers; for the discourse of him, who instructs, is of little use if it does not succeed in lighting a fire of love in the heart” (Homily at Matins for today). | |||
| Léctio Actuum Apostolórum. Cum compleréntur dies Pentecóstes erant omnes discípuli páriter in eódem loco: et factus est repénte de caelo sonus, tamquam adveniéntis spíritus veheméntis: et replévit totam domum ubi erant sedéntes. Et apparuérunt illis dispertítae linguae tamquam ignis, sedítque supra síngulos eórum: et repléti sunt omnes Spíritu sancto, et coepérunt loqui váriis linguis, prout Spíritus sanctus dabat éloqui illis. Erant autem in Jerúsalem habitántes Judaéi, viri religiósi ex omni natióne, quae sub caelo est. Facta autem hac voce, convénit multitúdo, et mente confúsa est, quóniam audiébat unusquísque lingua sua illos loquéntes. Stupébant autem omnes, et mirabántur, dicéntes: Nonne ecce omnes isti, qui loquúntur, Galilaéi sunt? Et quómodo nos audívimus unusquísque linguam nostram, in qua nati sumus? Parthi et Medi, et Aelamítae, et qui hábitant Mesopotámiam, Judaéam, et Cappadóciam, Pontum et Asíam, Phrygiam, et Pamphyliam, Aegyptum, et partes Líbyae, quae est circa Cyrénen, et ádvenae Románi, Judaéi quoque, et Prosélyti, Cretes et Arabes: audívimus eos loquéntes nostris linguis magnália Dei. | Lesson from the Acts of the Apostles. When the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans? And how have we heard every man our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews also, and Proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. | ||
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Alleluia |
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| Allelúia, allelúia. v. Ps. ciii. 30. Emítte Spíritum tuum, et creabúntur, et renovábis fáciem terrae. Allelúia. | Alleluia, alleluia. v. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Alleluia. | ||
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Here all kneel |
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| v. Veni, sancte Spíritus, reple- tuórum corda fidélium: et tui amóris in eis ignem accénde. | v. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful: and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. | ||
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Sequence |
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| 1. Veni, sancte Spíritus, Et emítte caélitus Lucis tuae rádium. 2. Veni, pater páuperum, Veni, dator múnerum, Veni, lumen córdium. 3. Consolátor óptime, Dulcis hospes ánimae, Dulce refrigérium. 4. In labóre réquies, In aestu tempéries, In fletu solátium. 5. O lux beatíssima, Reple cordis íntima, Tuórum fidélium. 6. Sine tuo númine Nihil est in hómine, Nihil est innóxium. 7. Lava quod est sórdidum, Riga quod est áridum, Sana quod est sáucium. 8. Flecte quod est rígidum, Fove quod est frígidum, Rege quod est dévium. 9. Da tuis fidélibus, In te confidéntibus, Sacrum septenárium. 10. Da virtútis méritum, Da salútis éxitum, Da perénne gáudium. Amen. Allelúia. | 1. Come, Holy Ghost, send down those beams, Which sweetly flow in silent streams From Thy bright throne above. 2. O, come, Thou Father of the poor, O, come, Thou source of all our store, Come fill our hearts with love. 3. O Thou of comforters the best, O Thou the soul’s delightful guest, The pilgrim’s sweet relief. 4. Rest art Thou in our toil, most sweet Refreshment in the noon-day heat, And solace in our grief. 5. O blessed Light of Life Thou art, Fill with Thy Light the inmost hearts O those that hope in Thee. 6. Without Thy Godhead nothing can Have any price or worth in man, Nothing can harmless be. 7. Lord, wash our sinful stains away, Water from heaven our barren clay, Our wounds and bruises heal. 8. To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow, Warm with Thy love our hearts of snow, Our wandering feet recall. 9. Grant to Thy faithful, dearest Lord, Whose only hope is in Thy Word, Thy sevenfold gift of grace. 10. Grant us in life Thy grace, that we in peace may die and ever be in joy before Thy face. Amen. Alleluia. | ||
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Gospel |
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| “This is the day,” says St. Gregory, “on which the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles, and changing the hearts of those carnally minded men, led them to the love of Himself. While the tongues of fire appeared externally, the hearts of the disciples were enkindled within, and as they beheld God under the appearance of fire, they became aflame with love together with unspeakable sweetness of soul. For the Holy Ghost is love, and therefore St. John says: “God is Charity.” Now love is proved by action. St. John says again: “Whosoever says: I love God, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar.” Our love for God is genuine if we resist the attractions of pleasure in order to obey Him, and anyone who goes on devoting himself to pleasure does not truly love God, since he acts contrary to His will. Do not think, then, that you love Him unless you prove it by good works. Let your speech, your mind, your whole life be consecrated to the quest for God’s love, for in that love inertia has no place” (Homily at Matins). Christ was the model of this love, since He always did what His Father commanded. | |||
| Sequéntia sancti Evangélii secúndum Joánnem. In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis: Si quis díligit me, sermónem meum servábit, et Pater meus díliget eum, et ad eum veniémus et mansiónem apud eum faciémus: qui non díligit me; sermónes meos non servat. Et sermónem, quem audístis, non est meus; sed ejus, qui misit me, Patris. Haec locútus sum vobis, apud vos manens. Paráclitus autem Spíritus sanctus, quem mittet Pater in nómine meo, ille vos docébit ómnia, et súggeret vobis ómnia quaecúmque díxero vobis. Pacem relínquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis: non quómodo mundus dat, ego do vobis. Non turbétur cor vestrum, neque formídet. Audístis quia ego dixi vobis: Vado, et vénio ad vos. Si diligerétis me, gauderétis útique, quia vado ad Patrem: quia Pater major me est. Et nunc dixi vobis priúsquam fiat: ut cum factum fúerit, credátis. Jam non multa loquar vobíscum. Venit enim princeps mundi hujus, et in me non habet quidquam. Sed ut cognóscat mundus, quia díligo Patrem, et sicut mandátum dedit mihi Pater, sic fácio. | Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John. At that time Jesus said to His disciples: If any one love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and will make Our abode in him: he that loveth Me not keepeth not My words. And 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 shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you: I go away, and I come unto you. If you loved Me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass you may believe. I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in Me he hath not any thing. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father hath given Me commandment so do I. | ||
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Offertory |
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| Confírma hoc, Deus, quod operátus es in nobis: a templo tuo, quod est in Jerúsalem, tibi ófferent reges múnera, allelúia. | Confirm, O God, what Thou hast wrought in us; from Thy temple, which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to Thee, alleluia. | ||
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Secret |
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| Múnera, quaésumus, Dómine, obláta sanctífica: et corda nostra Sancti Spíritus illustratióne emúnda. Per Dóminum… in unitáte ejúsdem Spíritus Sancti… | Sanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts which we offer Thee, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Spirit. Through our Lord… in the unity of the same Holy Ghost. | ||
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Preface for Pentecost |
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| Vere dignum et justum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper, et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnípotens ætérne Deus: per Christum Dóminum nostrum.Qui ascéndens super omnes cælos, sedénsque ad déxteram tuam, promíssum Spíritum Sanctum hodiérna die in filíos adoptiónis effúdit, Quaprópter profúsis gáudiís, totus in orbe terrárum mundus exsúltat. Sed et supérnæ Vírtútes, atque angélicæ Potestátes, hymnum glóriæ tuæ cóncinunt, sine fine dicéntes: . | It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God; through Christour Lord. Who ascending above all the heavens, and sitting at Thy right hand, on this day sent forth the Holy Ghost, as He had promised, on the children of adoption. Wherefore does the whole world rejoice with exceeding great joy; the hosts above and also the angelic powers join in singing the hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing: | ||
Communicantes for Pentecost
| Communicantes, et diem sacratíssi-mum Pentecóstes celebrántes quo Spíritus Sanctus Apóstolis innúmeris linguis appáruit: sed et memóriam venerántes, in primis gloriósæ semper Vírginis Maríæ, Genitrícis Dei et Dómini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et… | In communion with, and keeping the most holy day of Pentecost, whereon the Holy Ghost appeared to the apostles in countless tongues; venerating also in the first place the memory of the glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God; also of… |
| Hanc ígitur oblatiónem servitútis nostræ, sed et cunctæ familiæ tuæ, quam tibi offérimus pro his quoque, quos regeneráre dignátus es ex aqua, et Spiritu Sancto, tríbuens eis remissiónem ómnium peccatórum, quǽsumus, Dómine, ut placátus accípias: diésque nostros… | This oblation, therefore, of our bounden duty and that of Thy whole family we beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept, which we make unto Thee on behalf of these whom Thou hast vouchsafed to bring to a new birth by water and the Holy Ghost, giving them remission of all their sins; and to order our days… |
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Communion |
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| Factus est repénte de caelo sonus, tamquam adveniéntis spíritus veheméntis, ubi erant sedéntes, allelúia: et repléti sunt omnes Spíritu sancto, loquéntes magnália Dei, allelúia, allelúia. | Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming (and it filled the house) where they were sitting, alleluia; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking the wonderful works of God, alleluia, alleluia |
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Postcommunion |
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| Sancti Spíritus, Dómine, corda nostra mundet infúsio: et sui roris íntima aspersióne foecúndet. Per Dóminum… in unitáte ejúsdem Spíritus… | May the outpouring of the Holy Spirit purify our hearts, O Lord, and by the inward sprinkling of His heavenly dew may they be made fruitful. Through our Lord… in the unity of the same Holy Ghost… |