Pentecost: The Birth of the Church and the Power of the Holy Spirit

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He said something astonishing to His disciples:

“It is better for you that I go.” (John 16:7)

Wait—what?

You might think it would be better if Jesus had stayed on earth. To walk with Him. To hear Him teach. To sit at His feet and ask all your questions face-to-face. But here’s the truth: Jesus had to go so that something even greater could be given to us—the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after Easter, is the feast that commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Church. It is a celebration of divine presence, mission, and power—and you’re invited to receive that same fire today.

Why Did Jesus Leave?

Here’s the thing—if Jesus had stayed in His physical body, He would have remained subject to all the limits of humanity. He could only be in one place at a time. But God’s love is not limited to one place or group of people. Jesus desired to dwell with each one of us, not just beside us—but within us.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes that possible. At Pentecost, God sent down His own Spirit so that every single person—past, present, and future—could access the very life and presence of God. And He continues to do that today, especially through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

A Chocolate Milk Analogy

In Baptism, we are given the “chocolate syrup”—the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

But in Confirmation, we receive the “spoon”—the stirring that fully mixes our identity in Christ and strengthens us to live it out boldly.

We’re no longer just milk with chocolate at the bottom—we become fully transformed, empowered to walk in mission, just like the disciples after Pentecost.

What Is the Pentecost Novena?

Before the fire fell at Pentecost, the disciples waited and prayed. For nine days after the Ascension, they gathered with the Blessed Virgin Mary in the upper room, praying in expectant faith that the Holy Spirit would come.

Spoiler alert: He did. With wind and fire.

Today, we carry on that tradition through the Pentecost Novena—nine days of prayer leading up to Pentecost Sunday, asking God to renew the Church and rekindle His Spirit in us. And we want to invite you to join us.

📱 You can pray the full Pentecost Novena every day in the Tabella App.

✨ A Prayer for the Pentecost Novena

O Holy Spirit, O my God,

I adore Thee, and acknowledge that I am nothing and can do nothing without Thee.

Come, great Paraclete, Thou Father of the poor, Thou Comforter the best. Fulfill the promise of our Savior who would not leave us orphans.

Grant that I may receive Thy gifts with mercy and generosity. Take from my heart anything not pleasing to Thee, and make it a worthy dwelling-place.

Illuminate my mind. Inflame my heart. Strengthen my will. Inspire me to imitate Christ in humility, obedience, and love.

Come, Consoling Spirit! Teach me to carry my cross patiently and faithfully fulfill the will of the Father.

Bless the Church, bless our Holy Father, the bishops, and all your faithful people.

May Your holy presence increase in me, and may I live fully the mission You’ve placed on my life.

Amen.