Solemnity of Pentecost
Massimo Palombella
Today’s celebration, 50 days after Easter, concludes Easter Time and fulfils Incarnation. In fact, the same Son of the Father who becomes flesh in Mary’s womb, lives His historical existence, suffers, dies, resurrects, ascends to heaven, sends the Holy Spirit so that each one of us can “know”, discern His presence in the intimacy of our lives and in the events of history. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us capable, in faith, of meeting the Lord in the signs of history in the expectation of being with Him forever.
“From the Spirit the anticipated knowledge of things to come, the deepening of mysteries, the perception of hidden things, the distributions of gifts, the familiarity of the things of heaven, the rejoicing with the angels. From him eternal joy, from him constant union and likeness with God, and, most sublime of all, from him the possibility of becoming God. (From the treatise “On the Holy Spirit” by St Basil the Great, bishop [Chap. 9, 22-23; PG 32, 107-110]).
The Offertory antiphon of today’s solemnity is taken from Psalm 67 (Ps 67, 29-30) with the following text:
“Confirma hoc, Deus, quod operatus es in nobis;
a templo tuo, quod est in Ierusalem, tibi offerent reges munera, alleluia.”
(Confirm, O God, that which you have accomplished in our midst;
from your holy temple which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to you, alleluia).
The attached music, in Gregorian Chant, is taken from the Gradual Triplex published in Solesmes in 1979. The interpretation is by the ‘Cantori Gregoriani’ conducted by Fulvio Rampi. The musical track can be found on the CD “Spiritus Domini” published by “Paoline Editoriale Audiovisivi” in 1996.
A blessed Sunday, happy Solemnity of Pentecost, and heartfelt greetings.
