How the Church of Rome Prepares for, Celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost

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As the old proverb of St. Ambrose instructs, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Rome, being the Eternal City, with its vast history and ancient traditions, has much to offer from its treasuries of wisdom. This is especially true when we consider how the Church of Rome commemorates and observes the Solemnity of Pentecost, one of the most important feasts of the Church’s calendar. The liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church offers all of Christ’s faithful People a fitting example of not only how to truly celebrate Pentecost, but equally as important, of how to prepare for Pentecost.

The Church of Rome, which includes all of us as Roman Catholics, prepares for this great feast by beginning, as Father Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., observes, a type of liturgical novena, a period of nine days of prayer starting on the Friday after Ascension Thursday to the Solemnity of Pentecost. During this time, the Church assigns a particular hymn to be sung at Evening Prayer, a part of The Liturgy of the Hours prayed by clergy and laity throughout the world. Rather than singing hymns celebrating the Resurrection, which had been done since Easter Sunday, the Church gives us the ancient hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit) to be sung and meditated upon. After rejoicing in the Easter festivities for 40 days, proclaiming Christ risen from the dead, the Church does something very deliberate and offers us this hymn, to place our focus on quietly and patiently waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We imitate what the Blessed Mother and the Apostles did, gathered in the Upper Room, awaiting the promised Holy Spirit in fellowship and prayer, as the Acts of the Apostles records (Acts 1:14, 2:1). Awaiting the Spirit in this way, they prepared their hearts to receive the One Who would enflame them with the fire of His love and strengthen them to boldly proclaim the risen Christ to the world.
The Veni, Creator Spiritus, dating to the 8th or 9th century, is a profound meditation upon the Person of the Holy Spirit, Who is called the Paraclete and the Gift of God Most High, and how He enlightens us, strengthens us, and bestows His Seven Gifts upon us. This novena is a gift from the Church of Rome which is meant for all of us. During this time, we are called to meditate more intently on the role of the Spirit in our lives as Christ’s disciples, and praying with the Veni, Creator Spiritus is a great place to start. Doing so will help us follow in the footsteps of the Apostles, and help us celebrate Pentecost well, as we pray that we might be well-disposed to receiving an ever greater outpouring of the Spirit’s Seven Gifts in our lives.
After this period of preparation, the Church of Rome has a unique tradition for Pentecost Sunday. It takes place at the Pantheon in Rome, the ancient temple converted to a church dedicated to the Blessed Mother and all the Martyrs. At the conclusion of the Mass of Pentecost, Roman firefighters on the roof of the Pantheon drop thousands of red rose petals through the opening in the roof. These symbolize the tongues of fire which came to rest on the heads of the Blessed Mother and the Apostles when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2: 2-4). It is truly a spectacle to behold and a fitting tradition considering the mysteries being celebrated on Pentecost. The beauty evident in this tradition lies not solely in its impressive nature but in the sheer number of “tongues” which descend upon those gathered.
This Roman tradition calls to mind that all of us, sons and daughters of the Church, have received the same Spirit, in all His fullness, through the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, as did the Apostles at Pentecost. All of us, who have the Spirit dwelling within us, are given different gifts, as the Apostles were given, to build up the Church on earth and spread the Good News of the Gospel. As St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12: 4, 7). Pentecost is the ideal time for all of us to prayerfully reflect on the gifts the Spirit has given us in great abundance and to ask for the grace to use them to do His will. The Church of Rome offers the entire Church traditions of how to celebrate Pentecost well. This Pentecost, may we do as the Romans do.
Father Phillip Dufour, ordained in 2018, is completing advanced studies in sacred theology in Rome, and will return to the Diocese of Providence in June.

Read Rev. Raymond Collins' reflection on Paul and the Spirit of God.