PENTECOST VIGIL 2020
Opening song
In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
- Alleluia. Christ is risen. R. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Presider: Fifty days after the feast of Easter, the Church comes together to celebrate the end of the Easter season and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As Spiritans, we remember the founding of our International-religious-missionary Congregation.
This year is extraordinary in that the entire world is awaiting news that will address the CoronaVi-rus pandemic. During this time of waiting, we ask God to breathe on each one of us his life-giving Spirit of Renewal. We pray in gratitude for the charism we have inherited from Claude Poullart des Places and Francis Libermann. May Mary, faithful disciple of Pentecost, help us to pray for those who are suffering and to support and defend the weak and vulnerable wherever they may be.
The Paschal candle is lit, (each member may also hold a candle) as may be convenient. During the candle-lighting, the following is sung:
Lucernaria The Spirit of God rests upon me; the Spirit of God consecrates me.
The Spirit of God bids me go forth to proclaim God’s peace and joy (Deiss)
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Give us patience as we wait and may we never run away from the challenges of the world today. Give us new eyes, new ears, new words and help us to experience your saving and renewing Spirit in our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
All are seated
Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-6
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
Keep In Mind (Deiss)
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
- If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord. If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord. (Refrain)
- In him all our sorrow, in him all our joy. In him hope of Glory, in him all our love. (Refrain)
Prayer God of new beginnings, let the Spirit you sent on your Church to begin the teaching of the gospel continue to work in the mission and vision of the Spiritan community throughout the world. Beyond our fears and wants, lead us ever close to you through the hearts of all who believe. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
(Brief Silence)
Prayer God of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit into our lives and make us new. Send your Spirit with the power of a mighty wind, to open the horizons of our minds. Help us to proclaim to the frightened hearts, have courage do not be afraid for God whose love is everlasting comes to save us! For Jesus is Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Reflection
Short Response
On the day of Pentecost, they had all gathered together in one place.
R/ Out of the heavens suddenly there came the sound of a great wind, which filled the whole house, alleluia.
The disciples had gathered together in one room. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven.
R/ Out of the heavens suddenly there came the sound of a great wind, which filled the whole house, alleluia.
General Intercessions
On that first day of Pentecost, the disciples were all gathered in a locked room hiding in fear. The Charism of The founders of the Spiritan family is “evangelical availability.” Let us be attentive to the voice of the Spirit and put ourselves at God’s disposal without fear.
R/ Lord hear our prayer
-For the Church and the people, we serve that the Spirit will strengthen them with love. We pray…
-For the Spiritan congregation as we prepare for our forthcoming General Chapter. We pray….
-For the leaders of all nations that the Spirit will guide them during this most challenging and un-certain time. We pray….
-For those who are sick especially those with the CoronaVirus and the health professionals who care for them, may God grant them healing. We pray….
-For our family members and friends especially those who have asked for our prayers and those for whom we promised our prayers. We pray….
-For those who have died, especially those of our congregation that God will welcome them into paradise. We pray….
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer and Blessing
God of Love and Peace, Give us new eyes, to discern the horizons for Spiritan mission to which you call us in today’s challenging world. Help us to discover new and exciting ways with both our professed and lay associate members to find words to express the Gospel love and mercy to all who we meet. Help us Holy Spirit to give a reason for the faith we profess in Jesus’ name. Amen
Concluding song
Proposed by Fr. Freddy Washington, CSSp,
Province of USA
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