By Leo A. Imbert, SDB

On Saturday, May 18th, the Salesians of the Ratisbonne Monastery in Jerusalem, Israel, hosted a Vigil at the Basilica of St. Stephen. The Deacons and Brothers in formation utilized their talent and unique charism to usher in the Solemnity of Pentecost- the third most important Feast in the Catholic Church. Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the nascent Church fifty days after Christ’s Resurrection. It is often warmly referred to as the birthday of the Catholic Church. More accurately, however, it represents the Church’s launch party- for it was on this day that the newly minted Apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to boldly preach the Gospel good news of humanity’s liberation from the slavery of this world, and granted permission for entry into the heavenly promised land. Many of the faithful in Jerusalem attended this annual event which the Salesians have taken upon themselves to conduct. They came from a variety of Catholic orders, societies, and lay organizations. By this point in the year, we are all familiar with each other’s faces. Warm greetings preceded the event and continued afterward with hors d’oeuvres. It seemed like the best way to represent the Solemnity of Pentecost.

The word Catholic comes from the connection of two Greek words, kata (according to), and holos (whole). This literal translation of Catholic (“according to the whole”) is unusually simplified as universal. No other event in the Liturgical calendar expresses this reality more explicitly than Pentecost. Pentecost, or Shavuot, was originally a Jewish Holy Day, commemorating the fifty days after their Exodus from Egypt some 1200 years prior when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai. This explains why, fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, as the disciples were waiting for the Advocate (or Holy Spirit) to come, there was a throng of Jews present in Jerusalem. The well-established holy day for the Jews and the imminent holy day for the Christians would converge on this day. In essence, the old makes way for the new, and the former union will be replaced by a newer and more perfect union. It was with this theme of unity that the Salesians organized the ceremony.

The Salesian choir and musicians enveloped the entire ceremony with melodies apropos to the Salesian spirit. Songs were interspersed within each of the four scriptural readings- each done in a different language. During one song, persons from the audience were chosen to carry a building block to the altar. On each cardboard block was the name of one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Once all blocks were arranged before the altar, the lay faithful were able to observe and appreciate the visible representation of all of the Holy Spirit grants for those who are open to receive them. On the top of the structure was the block for charity (or love)- the one virtue upon which all other virtues depend.

After this fine tandem of scripture, song, and presentations, Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop for the Latin Patriarchate, delivered an insightful homily. His excellency juxtaposed the first and fourth readings (the Tower of Babel and Pentecost, respectively). He noted that, in the first primeval story from Genesis 11, everyone spoke the same language and agreed to build a tower that reaches to the heavens. In essence, they exhibited great hubris in attempting to achieve paradise on their merits and thus without the need for God (a common attempt today and throughout history- always with evil results). They were united, but it was a bad unity. He then brought our attention to the Pentecost reading from the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. It was here in Jerusalem around 33 AD when the Holy Spirit descended and penetrated the hearts and minds of all those in the room–empowering them to go forth and preach Christ resurrected to all nations. At that time, a diverse group of Jews from multiple nations, who spoke various languages, were visiting Jerusalem for the Holy Day of Shavuot. Yet, to their surprise, when the Apostles began to preach, all heard them speak clearly in their own native languages. At Pentecost, despite diversity in language, culture, and traditions the Holy Spirit gathered those present to be witnesses of unity and peace–bringing them together as one universal Church.

Bishop Shomali encapsulated what the Salesians intended to demonstrate- a unity forged from different nations, cultures, and languages. All left the event rejuvenated and invigorated and, as in the original Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit!

Thanks to Father Sam Obu, Vice Rector of the Ratisbonne community, and to all those Salesian who contributed to the organization, planning and execution of this fantastic event.