May 28, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

The Acts of the Apostles tells us much about the first Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down on the apostles in wind and fire – in power – to transform those first apostles of Jesus. This was an important moment in the history of our Church. We call this the birthday of the Church. Those apostles were still gathered in the Upper Room, and the doors were locked. We are told the apostles were anxious. They wondered if they would face the same persecution as Jesus. They were now alone. Jesus had ascended to Heaven. They were dreadfully confused and didn’t know what they were to do. Then the Holy Spirit came to show them the way, just as Jesus had promised.

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with power, challenging those apostles to go into the streets. The Holy Spirit prepared them to bring the story of Jesus to all who would listen. They must be ready to preach all that Jesus had taught them. They would face arrest, even some persecution. The Holy Spirit now inspired them to be missionaries; they knew their mission was to change the world for Jesus.

The Holy Spirit still continues to come to us today and still challenges you and me to be active in this Catholic Church. All that happened so many years ago continues to happen for the Catholic Church through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am thinking right now of the many young people who are receiving the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation during this time of Pentecost. Bishops everywhere are going to their parishes to challenge young people through the power of the Holy Spirit; they are called to make their lives witnesses to the Lord Jesus, demonstrating the power of a life lived in peace and non-violence, a life of mercy, of forgiveness of service to others. They’re called to be ready always to make their world a better place.

I am also thinking of the action of the Holy Spirit, who recently called together the cardinals of the Catholic Church to elect a new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, to lead our worldwide Church upon the death of our beloved Pope Francis. In another Pentecost this conclave transformed our Church into a profoundly new way. And these cardinals chose a pope – one from our own country – to lead Catholics everywhere. We, Americans, were blessed and challenged to be worthy; the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV is one of us.

The Holy Spirit has asked for a gift from us, for the Church Universal. We must pray in a special way, a new way, for this American pope. We want Pope Leo to inspire the Catholic Church, the worldwide Catholic Church, and to demonstrate the American Catholic faith that is alive and strong.

Also, I see the Holy Spirit active today in Catholic diocese throughout this world in the ordination of many new priests at this time of Pentecost. I continuing learn of the many priesthood ordinations – new priests ready to live out their vocation as a priest of the Lord Jesus. These priests are ready with the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the Lord’s peace and joy to all those they can reach.

I know the Holy Spirit continues to reach so many others – lay men and women. The Holy Spirit helps them recognize the power of their vocations and calls them to bring the love of Jesus to their world through the Catholic Church. Now is the time for us all to pray to the Holy Spirit to transform our Catholic Church and lead us all to make our Church a loving family, transforming the people of God into a people of peace and love.