Preparing for Pentecost and Confirmation

An excerpt taken from Santiago’s book on fostering an intercultural ministry within the Hispanic community, Un Hermoso IntercambioCultural/A Beautiful Cultural Exchange.

It is a joyful and blessed opportunity to sing bilingual songs, and to celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost and confirmation Masses! Pentecost is considered the "birthday" of our ever-changing, multilingual and multicultural Church. Doesn't it seem fitting to celebrate the gift of our unity in diversity with joyful song? The Rite of Confirmation (RC) states that "Pains should be taken to give the liturgical service the festive and solemn character that its significance for the local Church requires" (RC 4).

During this magnificent liturgy, the candidates for confirmation will be "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit;' (RC 27) making manifest Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would be poured out for the apostles and the entire Church-today and forever. The beautiful ninth-century sequence that we continue to sing today, Veni Creator Spiritus, offers us these words: "O most blessed Light divine, shine within these hearts of yours, and our inmost being fill!" But what does it mean to have our "inmost being" filled by the Holy Spirit? Brothers and sisters, singing and praying in our mother tongue is certainly connected to our inmost being. It is both our duty and pastoral responsibility, as ministers and disciples, to ensure that the inmost being of the faithful is fed. Let us reflect on that we truly may be renewed in our service and ministry so as to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. Espíritu Santo, Ven.

For more helpful tips on celebrating the liturgy, check out Santiago’s book, Un Hermoso IntercambioCultural/A Beautiful Cultural Exchange, filled with articles, songs and suggestions on uniting communities of faith through cross-cultural communication.