Why doesn't Pentecost receive as much emphasis as Christmas and Easter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RCIAGraduate
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
…the whole idea of Pentecost is probably lost because it is not explained or elucidated clearly, simply, or relevantly for people. It’s just a really sad state of affairs.
It’s as if it has just become ‘ordinary’ time. Yes, sad 😉
 
Which is precisely why we should make a bigger deal about Pentecost: to serve as a sign of contradiction. Now, I have been to a parish throwing a birthday party for the Church on Pentecost, but this really should be more common. The long-form Pentecost Vigil has recently been revived, but it’s still optional and rarely used.
 
Generally, yes, but this year I witnessed a catechumen baptized at the Pentecost Vigil. Apparently, it used to be a common practice that those who weren’t ready for Baptism at Easter could be baptized at Pentecost instead of having to wait a year.
 
Liturgically speaking, we have one great celebration that starts with the Easter Triduum where we remember Christ’s death and resurrection and continues for 7 weeks culminating in Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit and the commencement of the Catholic Church. Christmas is a lesser celebration when we give thanks for Jesus coming into the world. It only dates back to the 4th century. Celebrating birthdays was a Roman confection: neither Jews nor Greeks celebrated birthdays. Nobody knew the date Jesus was born and when Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire, he had to be allocated a birthday. We mark Christmas with trees, presents, overeating and being kind to our mothers-in-law, and we eat vast quantities of chocolate at Easter, but these are largely to do with pagan spring and winter festivals that were absorbed into the Christian calendar to help with evangelisation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top