Wednesday, May 20, 2026: We celebrate this gift of the Spirit as it deeply affects our own lives today.

To my brothers and sisters of our Beloved Emmaus Community, 

Our next liturgy on May 22nd will be a celebration of Pentecost the culmination of the Easter season and the Paschal Mystery  - a journey that takes us from The Passover, to Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, death, resurrection, accompaniment with the disciples, ascension and visitation of the Spirit on Pentecost.

Pentecost comes fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection and celebrates God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles. In this feats, the disciples receive the the grace and courage to leave their hiding place and take the message of the Resurrected Christ into their communities – “unto the ends of the earth..” 

Many consider Pentecost the birthday of the Church. We celebrate this gift of the Spirit as it deeply affects our own lives today. We will explore this more in our shared homily. The Resurrected Christ breaths on the Apostles and blesses them with the Spirit and this is often represented with tongues of Fire. 

Our opening of the liturgy will be a lighting of votive candles (which we will supply) as we pass the flame around the room. I ask those who attend on Zoom to have a candle that you can light during this service so you too may be a part of this ritual. Once the candles are lit we will have a quiet meditative time as we listen to a Gregorian Chant of “Veni Creator Spiritus.” (“Come to us Creator Spirit”). 

Those attending in person will then extinguish their candles but the candles on the table will remain lit. Those on Zoom, if they wish, can keep their candles lit as a symbol of their connection to the community. But please be careful with fire at home.

Thank you. Steve Lyman and Pat O’Connor 

Veni, Creator Spiritus - Come Creator Spirit  - an English Translation

By John Dryden

Creator Spirit, by whose aid

The world's foundations first were laid,

Come, visit ev'ry mind;

Come, pour your joys on human kind;

From grief, and sorrow set us free;

And make us temples worthy of the Spirit

O, Source of uncreated Light,

The Father's promis'd Paraclete!

A font of holiness three times, a font of fire also,

Our hearts with your love inspire;

Come, and thy Sacred blessing bring

To sanctify us, while we sing!

Abundant source of grace, descend from high,

Rich in your energy of seven springs!

You the fire and strength of the Almighty Hand,

Whose power does heaven and earth command:

Proceeding Creator Spirit, Defend us,

You whom the gift of tongues unleash,

And crown your gifts with eloquence!

Refine us a people;

And inflame and fire our hearts!

Help when we fall and control our greed;

Submit the senses to the soul;

And when rebellious they are grown,

Then, lay your hand upon us, and hold us.

Chase from our minds the Infernal Foe;

And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;

And, lest our feet should step astray,

Protect, and guide us in the way.

Help us understand the Eternal Truths,

And practice, all that we believe:

Give us your self, that we may see

The Father and the Son and you .

Immortal honor, endless fame,

Attend the' Almighty Father's name:

The Saviour Son be glorified,

Who for our redemption died:

And equal adoration be,

Eternal Holy Creator Spirit, to thee.