Liturgical Information
The Solemnity of Pentecost (A)

Liturgical Color: Red [Note: "On solemn occasions more precious vestments may be used, even if not the color of the day." GIRM #309]

Themes & Motives: Holy Spirit, language, ministry, Church, peace

Introit:
The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world. It holds all things together and knows every word spoken by man, alleluia. (Wisdom 1:7)

Opening Prayer:
God our Father,
let the Spirit you sent on your Church
to begin the teaching of the gospel
continue to work in the world
through the hearts of all who believe.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 [They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. /v.4]
• Psalm 104:1,24 / 29-30 / 31,34 [R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. /see v.30]
    See CNP's Psalm 104 CNP Catalog #1104-1
• I Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 [There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
• Sequence: Veni Sancte Spiritus - See CNP's Booklet of Chant, Volume 2 CNP Catalog #2002, Veni Sancte: Sequence for Pentecost (Lisa Stafford) CNP Catalog #3144 and Pentecost Sequence (J. William Greene) CNP Catalog #3084
• Gospel Verse: [Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.]
• John 20:19-23 [As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. Receive the Holy Spirit./v.21-22]
    See CNP's Book of Sung Gospels - 3rd Edition CNP Catalog #3012-3

Offertory Antiphon: **
Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; For your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. [Psalm 68:29-30]
     Verses of  Psalm 68  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
may the Spirit you promised
lead us into all truth
and reveal to us the full meaning of this sacrifice.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Pentecost: [The Mystery of Pentecost]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

Today you sent the Holy Spirit
on those marked out to be your children
by sharing the life of your only Son,
and so you brought the paschal mystery to its completion.

Today we celebrate the great beginning of your Church
when the Holy Spirit made known to all peoples the one true God,
and created from the many languages of man
one voice to profess one faith.

The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world,
while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of the great things God had done, alleluia. (Acts 2:4,11)

Prayer after Communion:
Father,
may the food we receive in the eucharist
help our eternal redemption.
Keep within us the vigor of your Spirit
and protect the gifts you have given to your Church.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Solemn Blessing:
This day the Father of light
has enlightened the minds of the disciples
by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
May he bless you
and give you the gifts of the Spirit for ever. Amen.

May that fire which hovered over the disciples
as tongues of flame
burn out all evil from your hearts
and make them glow with pure light. Amen.

God inspired speech in different tongues
to proclaim one faith.
May he strengthen your faith
and fulfill your hope to see him face to face. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin (Confirma hoc Deus) in the Graduale Romanum and the Graduale simplex.
The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.