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Today, Pentecost Sunday, is an opportune moment to deepen our appreciation of the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.  We can be guided by the profound thought of our Spirit-filled Pope Francis.

Early in his pontificate, Pope Francis gave a three-part catechesis on the Holy Spirit, in conjunction with the feast of Pentecost.  Among the Pope’s many insights, he emphasized that the Holy Spirit is the “Giver of Life” (Vivificantem).  Christians accept that “the Holy Spirit is the inexhaustible source of God’s life in us.  People of every time and place desire a full and beautiful life, just and good, a life that is not threatened by death, but can still mature and grow to fullness.”  To attain this quality of life, we need “God’s gift” of the Holy Spirit!

The dynamic presence of the Holy Spirit radically transforms the entire Christian Church, beginning on the first Pentecost.  The life-giving, powerful, personal presence of the Spirit is dynamically present and active today; missionaries have countless stories to tell of how the Holy Spirit has worked in their lives.  God’s Spirit continually transforms individuals and communities, teaching us “to see with the eyes of Christ, to live life as Christ lived it, to understand life as Christ understood it.” 

Pope Francis asks: “Are we open to the Holy Spirit; do I pray to him to enlighten me, to make me more sensitive to the things of God?  And this is a prayer we need to pray every day, every day: Holy Spirit, may my heart be open to the Word of God, may my heart be open to good, may my heart be open to the beauty of God, every day.”

Pope Francis continues: “Let us ask ourselves: what steps are we taking so that the faith directs our whole existence?  Do not be a ‘part-time’ Christian, at certain moments, in certain circumstances, in certain choices; be Christian at all times!  The truth of Christ, that the Holy Spirit teaches us and gives us, always and forever, involves our daily lives.  Let us invoke him more often, to guide us on the path of Christ’s disciples.”  Undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit is the “Giver-of-Life,” Christ’s life within us!

We pray: Come, Holy Spirit, you bring rest and relief in the midst of toil, in the midst of the work of human hands and the labor of the mind.  Come, Holy Spirit, you bring rest and ease in the midst of the heat of the day, in the midst of the anxieties, struggles and perils of every age.  Come, Holy Spirit, you bring consolation when the human heart grieves and is tempted to despair.  Come, Holy Spirit, what is hard, you soften; what is frozen, you warm; what is wayward, you set anew on paths of salvation and mission.

Enjoy a Blessed Pentecost, the Feast of the Giver-of-Life, God’s Holy Spirit!    

  

     James H. Kroeger, MM

  

Pentecost Prayer

O Holy Spirit of the living God,

who filled the Temple with radiant glory

and overshadowed the Virgin Mary

with the Word-Made-Flesh and

set the Apostles ablaze with the flame of Truth,

come set our hearts on fire

with the life-giving love of God.

You, who hovered over the chaotic

Waters of Creation, come renew

our war-weary world with that peace

only Christ can give.

You, who change bread and wine

into the Body and Blood of Christ,

come and transform us into

that image of God in which all people

are created.

May the fire of divine love

purge all sin and evil from our hearts.

Lead us to Christ that Christ might bring

us at length into the life of the

Most Holy Trinity, to whom be all worship,

power, and glory now and forever.

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

   

   

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.