Hundreds gather to celebrate the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost vigil at Sts. Peter and Paul

Friday, May. 20, 2016

WEST VALLEY CITY — Parishioners from all over the Diocese of Salt Lake City gathered on May 14 to celebrate a vigil honoring the birthday of the Catholic Church.

Year after year the diocesan Charismatic Renovation group has organized the vigil, in which they celebrate Pentecost, “which is the Church’s birthday, and yours as well. And like any birthday, it’s a cause for celebration,” said Joel Romero, coordinator of the diocesan Charismatic group.

The Greek word ”Pentecost”  means “50th day;” 50 days after Easter Sunday, “we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and their followers,” which marked the beginning of the Christian church, said Romero.

The program for the Pentecost vigil at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church called for a Holy Mass followed by different presentations about the feast day and the Holy Spirit, mixed with moments of prayer, reflection, worship, music and a blessing for all who attended.

The celebration drew parishioners from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish as well as those from the parishes of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Marguerite, San Felipe, Saint Joseph (Ogden), the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Sacred Heart, and others.

Father Jose Barrera-Hernandez, parochial vicar of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish and the  charismatic group’s spiritual advisor, was in charge of some of the presentations as well as the final blessing.

“This is an important day because Pentecost marks the beginning of  apostolic preaching. …  Every year the Church celebrates its birthday on this day. Here is where we get stronger, we reinvigorate ourselves,” said Fr. Barrera-Hernandez.

The symbols of Pentecost are flames of fire, wind and the dove, which represents the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost the priest wears red vestments; parishioners were invited to wear red to the vigil. 

“The charismatic renovation makes a lot of use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is part of our  renewal. Today we are going to confirm those gifts and our faith,” said Maricela Romero, parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden.

“The Holy Spirit is for all the Church and for all the groups,” said Fr. Barrera-Hernandez, adding that for the charismatic renovation, Pentecost is a very important celebration because “charismatic re-novation makes it [the Holy Spirit] its focal point of support for evangelization. The charismatic renovation takes  Pentecost as a great responsibility.”