Pentecost: The birth of the church

What do we celebrate at Pentecost?

Pentecost is considered the birth of the Church. Some time after Jesus' death, the disciples are gathered together. Suddenly , the Holy Spirit descends upon them. They can now speak in other languages, people from different backgrounds understand them in their own mother tongue. It is only through the gift of the Holy Spirit that the Good News becomes accessible to all people. The message of Jesus can now be proclaimed all over the world.

What does the Bible say about Pentecost?

"When the day of Pentecost had come, everyone was together in the same place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, and they were scattered abroad, and one fell on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4).

When do we celebrate Pentecost?

Christians celebrate Pentecost exactly 50 days after Easter. This is where the name comes from. The Greek word "Pentekoste" means "the fiftieth day". Pentecost is therefore also the solemn conclusion of the Easter period. Depending on the date of Easter, the festival can fall between 10 May and 13 June.

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How do we celebrate Pentecost?

Pentecost is a high feast in the Catholic Church. On Pentecost Sunday and in many places also on Pentecost Monday, a solemn Holy Mass is celebrated and on the days around Pentecost there are often baptisms, confirmations or ordinations to the priesthood. All these sacraments are closely linked to the Holy Spirit. To prepare for the feast of Pentecost, many believers pray the Pentecost Novena, a nine-day prayer between Ascension Day and Pentecost. In Germany, Whit Monday is a public holiday.

What symbols are associated with Pentecost?

One symbol associated with Pentecost is the white dove, which symbolises the Holy Spirit. This symbolism comes from the New Testament. When Jesus came out of the water after his baptism in the Jordan, "the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove" (Mt 3:16). The Holy Spirit is also often depicted as a flame in relation to the Pentecost event.

What customs are associated with Pentecost?

In some regions, Pentecost is associated with typical May customs. Lovers erect a decorated birch tree at their partner's house. Pranks are played at night, similar to the night of 1 May. The famous jumping procession of Echternach in Luxembourg takes place on the Tuesday after Whitsun.

When did Christians start celebrating Pentecost?

Pentecost was already celebrated by the early church. It has been a separate festival in the church year since around the 4th century.