The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Holy Trinity

Speech by Rt Rev. Ignatius Pinto, Archbishop of Bangalore on Sunday, 30th May, 2004 at St Thomas Forane Church, Dharmaram, Bangalore

Author: Jobi Varghese   Date: July 12, 2004

The members of the St Thomas Forane church, Dharmaram, Bangalore were blessed with the presence of Rt Rev. Ignatius Pinto, Archbishop of Bangalore on Sunday, 30th May, 2004. This day was the day of the Pentecost, the day the church celebrates the feast of the Holy Spirit. The Archbishop conferred the sacrament of confirmation upon nearly 60 children, and also delivered an inspiring homily.

Pentecost is a Greek word meaning "the fiftieth". Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and Mother Mary, fifty days after Christ's resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Pentecost also marks the birthday of the Catholic Church.

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2: 1-4)

The Archbishop in his homily said: "Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the Catholic Church. We have all been given the gift of Catholic faith. Our journey as Christians begins with our Baptism -- our immersion into Christ. Confirmation is our own personal Pentecost, which deepens and completes the sacrament of Baptism. It is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our faith in Christ and uphold the values of the Church. Through these two sacraments, we are called to be responsible and committed members of the Church."

He continued: "Jesus had promised during the Last Supper that after His death, He would send a helper or companion for the apostles to lead them through their mission of spreading the Good News. The apostles would be filled with God's spirit and they would be fresh and stronger."

The Archbishop continued his speech emphasizing the individuality of the Holy Spirit: "The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity represents three persons; that is, three persons in one God. When one is filled with the Holy spirit, one is blessed with the gift of the tongue and one can speak in tongues, as did the apostles at Pentecost."

The Archbishop also conferred the sacrament of confirmation upon nearly 60 children of the St Thomas Parish.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Gal 5:22-23)

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