Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.
LITURGICAL NOTE FOR PENTECOST.
On the fiftieth day after the passing over of the destroying Angel and the crossing of The Red Sea, to the Hebrews encamped at the foot of Sinai, Almighty God with great Solemnity promulgated His Law.
The Jewish Feasts of the Passover and Pentecost, which recalled these two events, were the most important of the year.
Sixteen Centuries later, the Feast of the Passover was marked by the Death and Resurrection of Christ, and that of Pentecost (fifty days after, as the name implies), by the descent of The Holy Ghost on the Apostles.
Wherefore, after Easter, Pentecost is the greatest Feast of the whole year, having an equally privileged Vigil and Octave.
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is read, for this is the Season which commemorates the Foundation of The Church, of whose beginnings this Sacred Book gives an account, and this custom is modelled on what takes place in Easter Week.
It is an entirely new life that is beginning, therefore it is suitable that the new writings should be read. Besides, the New Testament puts the Old Testament in its true light by showing that everything that it contained was only of the nature of a type.
So, in the Mass for Pentecost and throughout the Octave, the Old Law and the New Law, Holy Scripture and Tradition, the Prophets, the Church Fathers and the Apostles echo The Master’s words.
Like the different pieces of a mosaic, all these parts group themselves in such a way as to bring before the mind a wonderful picture portraying the action of The Holy Ghost down through the Centuries of the World’s life.
To place this magnificent masterpiece in still clearer relief, the Liturgy surrounds it with all the external pomp of its Sacred Ceremonies and symbolic rites [Editor: Except in the Novus Ordo Mass].
The Priest is Vested in Red, which recall the Tongues of Fire and serve as a symbol of that testimony of blood which men will have to bear to the Gospel by the power of The Holy Ghost.
Formerly, in certain Churches, while the Veni Sancte Spiritus was being sung, a shower of Red Roses was let fall from the roof, while a Dove flew about over the heads of the Faithful. Hence, the pleasing name of The Easter of Roses, by which Pentecost was known in the 13th-Century.
Sometimes, to add another feature to the attempt to give a scenic character to the Ceremonial, a Trumpet was sounded during the Sequence as a reminder of the Trumpet of Sinai or the mighty sound in the midst of which The Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles.
In this way, the Christian was immersed in the distinctive atmosphere which is a characteristic of Pentecost, thus receiving a new outpouring of The Holy Ghost. Lest anyone should allow himself to be distracted from the contemplation of this Mystery, it is celebrated throughout the entire Octave, to the exclusion of any other Feast.
Thus is clearly expressed The Church’s intention that during these eight days we should choose, for our Spiritual Reading and Meditation, subjects connected with Pentecost. For example, what an excellent preparation for Holy Communion and what an appropriate thanksgiving is to be found in the Sequence, whether Said or Sung, forming, as it does, one of the most beautiful pieces of Christian poetry.
With The Mass and the Mid-Day Regina Cæli on Ember Saturday, ends Paschal-Tide, which began with Mass on Holy Saturday.
