To
the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Pope
Saint John Paul II
Submitted
by: Sally Lynch, OFS
From
a homily delivered by the Holy Father on the vigil of Pentecost,
to
members of the Renewal in the Spirit (Charismatic Renewal)
about
“Burning Bush” on May 29, 2004.
“Veni, Creator Spiritus!” On the
Solemnity of Pentecost, the whole Church raises unanimously this song…The
Mystical Body of Christ, spread throughout the world, invokes the Spirit from
whom it receives life, the vital breath that animates its being and its action…
Thanks to the Charismatic Movement, many
Christians, men and women, youths and adults, have rediscovered Pentecost as a
living and present reality in their daily life.
I desire that the spirituality of Pentecost be spread in the Church, as
a renewed thrust in prayer, holiness, communion and proclamation. In this connection, I encourage the
initiative called “Burning Bush”,
promoted by Renewal in the Spirit. It is
about incessant adoration, day and
night, before the Most Holy Sacrament; and invitation to the faithful “to
return to the Cenacle” so that, united in the contemplation of the Eucharistic
mystery, they intercede for the full unity of Christians and the conversion of
sinners. I sincerely desire that this initiative
lead many to rediscover the gifts of the Spirit, which have their source in
Pentecost…
Dear brothers and sisters! This afternoon’s celebration reminds me of
the memorable meeting with the ecclesial movements and new communities on the
vigil of Pentecost six years ago. It was
an extraordinary manifestation of the unity of the Church, in the richness and
variety of charisms, which the Holy Spirit infuses in abundance. I
energetically repeat what I said on that occasion: The ecclesial movements and
new communities are a “providential answer”, “inspired by the Holy Spirit”
given the present need of the new evangelization, for which “mature Christian
personalities” and “strong Christian communities” are needed.
For this reason I also say to you: “Open
yourselves with docility to the gifts of the Spirit! Receive with gratitude and obedience the
charisms that the Holy Spirit does not cease to offer! Do not forget that all
the charisms are given for the common good, that is, for the benefit of the
whole Church!”
“Veni, Creator Spiritus!” Among
us, with raised hands, is praying the Virgin Mother of Christ and of the
Church, Together with her, let us implore and receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit, light of truth, strength of authentic peace. We do so with the words of the antiphon in
the Magnificat… (For vespers of the eve of Pentecost): “Come Holy Spirit, fill
the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of thy love: you who,
in the variety of human languages, gather people in one faith, Alleluia!”
“Sante Spiritus, Veni!”
Pax et bonum
