When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts 2:1-4
This is how the Acts of the Apostles tells how the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles in the Cenacle, fifty days after the Resurrection. In that same place, two thousand years later, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which gave the Apostles of Jesus the power to express the Good News so that everybody could understand it, are remembered.
“Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.” The pilgrims at the Cenacle on the Sunday afternoon of Pentecost also came from many nations.
The place that is traditionally known as the place of the Last Supper and of the bestowing of the gift of the Holy Spirit is today occupied by a Yeshiva or Jewish religious school. Open to prayers and daily visits, celebrations and religious offices may take place there only on Holy Thursday and Pentecost. On Sunday, the Custos, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, led the procession of the Franciscans and presided at the recitation of Vespers at the Cenacle. Many different languages – as many as those who were present – mingled together and accompanied one another as the Lord’s Prayer was recited aloud.
Throughout Sunday, Masses were celebrated in many languages from early morning in the Cenacolino the Chapel of the Franciscan convent, which stands just a few yards away from the Cenacle.
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Mab
This is how the Acts of the Apostles tells how the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles in the Cenacle, fifty days after the Resurrection. In that same place, two thousand years later, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which gave the Apostles of Jesus the power to express the Good News so that everybody could understand it, are remembered.
“Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.” The pilgrims at the Cenacle on the Sunday afternoon of Pentecost also came from many nations.
The place that is traditionally known as the place of the Last Supper and of the bestowing of the gift of the Holy Spirit is today occupied by a Yeshiva or Jewish religious school. Open to prayers and daily visits, celebrations and religious offices may take place there only on Holy Thursday and Pentecost. On Sunday, the Custos, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, led the procession of the Franciscans and presided at the recitation of Vespers at the Cenacle. Many different languages – as many as those who were present – mingled together and accompanied one another as the Lord’s Prayer was recited aloud.
Throughout Sunday, Masses were celebrated in many languages from early morning in the Cenacolino the Chapel of the Franciscan convent, which stands just a few yards away from the Cenacle.
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Mab