Presider’s Page for 31 May (Pentecost Sunday)
Opening Comment
Today we celebrate the day when the Holy Spirit first came to confused and frightened disciples. We share their fear, and ask for a new outpouring to give us courage and the grace to endure.
Penitential Rite
As we prepare ourselves for this great celebration, let us call to mind the Spirit’s help in our weakness:
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Send down, O God, upon your people
the flame of your Holy Spirit,
and fill with the abundance of your sevenfold gift
the Church you brought forth
from your Son’s pierced side.
May your life-giving Spirit
lend fire to our words
and strength to our witness.
Send us forth to the nations of the world
to proclaim with boldness your wondrous work
of raising Christ to your right hand.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 2:1-11 — The events of the first Pentecost are described vividly.
1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 — The Spirit binds all the members of the Body of Christ into one.
John 20:19-23 — The promise of the Holy Spirit is given in today’s Gospel.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Conscious of the Spirit praying within us, let us present our petitions with confidence.
- That the Spirit may fill the leaders of the Church — and help Pope Francis and all the bishops to lead us in these difficult times (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That the Spirit may refresh all the members of the Church — and help those leading the fight against COVID-19 to grow in grace (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us..
- That the Spirit may renew the face of the earth — and rid the world of the scourge of this pandemic (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That the Spirit may give fresh enthusiasm to all who worship online in these days — and keep us firm in faith and hope, no matter what (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That the Spirit may be with those who should have been confirmed this year — and teach them patience as they continue to prepare for the sacrament (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That the Spirit may fill our parish — and keep us united to each other, caring for each other, encouraging each other, every day (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: That the Spirit may bring life to those who have died (especially N & N) — and lead all the faithful departed home to heaven (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, your Spirit brings us to life and sustains us: hear the prayers we are inspired to make, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Remember, O God,
the promise of Christ your Son:
in your mercy send the Holy Spirit
to reveal more completely the mystery of this sacrifice
and to disclose to our hearts the full light of truth.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Pentecost)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
To bring the paschal mystery to completion,
you bestowed the Holy Spirit this day
on those you made your adopted children
by uniting them to your only-begotten Son.
At the Church’s beginning
your Spirit imparted to all peoples
the knowledge of the living God
and gathered the many languages of the earth
into one voice to profess a single faith.
Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory:
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III (with interpolation for Pentecost)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
And so, Lord God, we celebrate the feast
on which your Holy Spirit came down
in wind and fire upon the first disciples;
and, rejoicing that you have made us your people,
we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On the night he was handed over to death,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[All the Saints of Ireland], and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.
Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.
Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O God,
you bestow on your Church gifts from heaven.
Preserve the grace you have given us,
that the breath of Pentecost may quicken our hearts
and that this meal, made holy by your Spirit,
may advance the great work of redemption.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (Pentecost)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.
On this day God, the Father of lights,
poured out the Holy Spirit upon the disciples
to enlighten their minds and hearts.
May God fill you with the joy of heaven’s blessing
and the gifts of the Holy Spirit for ever.
R. Amen.
May the fire that hovered over the disciples
as tongues of flame
purge your hearts of every evil
and make them radiant with the light of the Spirit.
R. Amen.
May God who has gathered people of many tongues
to profess a single faith
keep you true to that faith
and lead you to the glorious vision of heaven.
R. Amen.
Dismissal with multiple ‘alleluia’s — End of Easter Time.
Suggested Songs: ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’; ‘Come O Creator Spirit Blest’; Veni Sancte Spiritus (Taizé)’; ‘Send Forth Your Spirit O Lord’.