Bishop's Message: Pentecost

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Pentecost Sunday comes just 50 days after Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the first followers of Jesus. Pope Francis explains that, “The Holy Spirit is an active memory; he constantly rekindles the love of God in our hearts” (Pentecost 2022) .  This active memory of the Holy Spirit, or what Pope Benedict XVI might call the eternal presence of God, marked the beginning of the Church and gave the Apostles the strength to go forth and bring God to all they encountered.  On this day, we, too, receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit inspiring us to be powerful instruments of the transforming grace of God.

Today, let us reflect on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and the fear of God. These gifts are infused into every person at Baptism and sealed in us at the Sacrament of Confirmation, marking the real presence of God in us.

Each year, here in the Diocese of Austin, there are over 4,000 of our brothers and sisters who receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our elect, those who recieved the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil add to this number. We are blessed by their witness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to this local Church -- the Mystical Body of Christ in Central Texas.

As we enter the second year of the National Eucharistic Revival, I invite you to hear the stories from our brothers and sisters who WITNESS to our Lord’s transformative presence in their lives through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. 

May God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you as you carry forth the mission of Christ.