Pentecost: Come Holy Spirit!

May 24, 2026

On this day, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room. A “strong, driving” wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they could understand each other which was caused by the Holy Spirit.

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” The feast is celebrated fifty days after Easter Sunday, which is why it always falls at the end of the Easter season. Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church.

The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission and to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be “clothed with power” before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit transformed the apostles. Before Pentecost, they were afraid. After Pentecost, Peter stood before the crowd and preached Christ crucified and risen. About three thousand people are baptized that day.

This same Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church today. Catholics first receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism and are strengthened by Him in Confirmation. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the grace to witness Jesus as Lord, to resist sin, and to live in charity.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, traditionally listed as wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, are real helps given by God so that Catholics can live as disciples of Christ in a world that often resists him. Come, Holy Spirit! Come through Mary!