YOUCAT*: Fifty days after his Resurrection, the Lord sent the Holy Spirit down from heaven upon his disciples. The age of the Church began. [731-733]
After Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the apostles eagerly awaited the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This arrival occured on what we celebrate today as Pentecost. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning “the fiftieth,” as in the 50th day after Easter.
Originally, this was a celebration of the establishment of the covenant with God on Mount Sinai. With the Pentecost event in Jerusalem recounted in Acts 2:1-13, it became the feast we celebrate today.
Celebrated 50 days after Easter, Pentecost is often called the “birthday” of the church. It is also the official “close” to the Easter season. Many people, especially youth, will be confirmed on Pentecost weekend. We pray that all our young people may be transformed into courageous witnesses to Christ, as the first apostles were.
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry