Pentecost (Whitsunday)

Liturgical Colour: Red

Reflection for the Day of Pentecost

The Easter acclamations continue through to the evening of the Day of Pentecost. The Paschal Candle is lit at ordinary services for the last time on the Day of Pentecost. Thereafter it is moved from the sanctuary to the baptistery and is lit during baptisms and funerals (when it is usually moved near to the casket), reminding us that we are baptised into Christ's death and resurrection.

Everyone carried a candle lit from the Paschal Candle during the Easter vigil, symbolically sharing the light of the risen Christ. Perhaps on the Day of Pentecost, during the period of reflection after receiving communion, these candles could be relit from the Paschal Candle. The Pentecostal fire is thereby visibly divided and shared by everyone (cf. Acts 2:1-4; first reading for the Day of Pentecost, Three Year Series). The Paschal Candle can then be extinguished, vividly concluding the Fifty Days. The risen and ascended Christ, gone from our sight, is still present by the Spirit and we are commissioned to go out into the world to spread the light of Christ. (This might be symbolised by all processing out with the lit candles).

Water is also a rich symbol of the Spirit. Hence, sprinkling with water while singing a dynamic, vibrant song after the renewal of our baptism on the Day of Pentecost could also be very powerful.

Online service material can follow that of the Easter Season