Dear Friend,
Happy Easter!
Yes, we are still celebrating the Easter season, even beyond Divine Mercy Sunday, the Octave Day of the Feast. As the longest liturgical season of the year, Easter lasts 50 days. It passes through the Ascension of Our Lord to Pentecost Sunday, a full seven weeks after Easter Sunday!
Now that we have cleansed ourselves with the gift of Mercy, we should continue to prepare with zeal for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost comes from the Greek word 'Pentekostos,' which means 'fifty.'
In Judaism, Pentecost is the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week. It is called the Feast of Weeks.
In Christianity, Pentecost marks the Birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, who immediately went out preaching and baptizing thousands in the Lord. Saint Lukes's gospel emphasizes the event as breaking down the barriers between peoples, joining all in the Body of Christ.
Isn't this what the world needs today, big time?
Can you imagine thousands and thousands of souls receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the joy of living in Christ? Pope St. John Paul II said we were on the verge of the New Pentecost, and Our Lady, in her apparitions around the world, has spoken of it as well.
Our mission now, after the Novena for Our Nation from May 1 - 9th, is to join together in prayer for the coming of this great day. With great expectation, let us pray the Pentecost Novena for the Spirit of Truth and Consolation, for the Wind of God to bring new life to the "dry bones" of faith, and thus lead us to a new Springtime in the Church and world.
Come Holy Spirit, come! Come by means of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved Spouse!
Happy, happy Easter --
Dave and Joan Maroney
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