Pentecost Vigil

by Gary D. Penkala

The Vigil of Pentecost can be expanded to be a complement to the Easter Vigil which opened this season. This has been done for some time in Rome, as the Pope celebrates an outdoor Mass (in St. Peter's Square) in the looming darkness of early evening. An outline, gleaned from memory and a participation booklet from 1993, follows:

Mass began outdoors with an Opening Song. The Roman celebration began with "Effondero il mio Spirito" (I Will Send Out My Spirit). "Come, Holy Ghost" or "Veni Creator Spiritus" would work well, as would other hymns of similar theme.

After the greeting by the celebrant (and perhaps the Sprinkling Rite), an instruction was given, outlining the parallel with Mary and the apostles who met in prayer and vigil, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The four First Readings in the Lectionary were read, each followed by a psalm and prayer, as in the Easter Vigil:

• Reading 1: Genesis 11:1-9
• Psalm 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15 // During this psalm two large fires were lit in receptacles flanking the altar.
• Prayer taken from the 3 Opening Prayers for the Vigil or the 2 for Pentecost Sunday.

• Reading 2: Exodus 19:3-8,16-20
• Psalm 103: 4-5, 6-7, 8-10 // During this psalm another four fires were lit in the receptacles.
• Prayer taken from the 3 Opening Prayers for the Vigil or the 2 for Pentecost Sunday.

• Reading 3: Ezekiel 37:1-14
• Psalm 51: 3-4, 8-9, 12-13 // During this psalm another four fires were lit in the receptacles.
• Prayer taken from the 3 Opening Prayers for the Vigil or the 2 for Pentecost Sunday.

• Reading 4: Joel 3:1-5
• Psalm 104: 2b-3, 10-11a, 29-30, 31-32 // During this psalm another four fires were lit in the receptacles.
• Prayer taken from the 3 Opening Prayers for the Vigil or the 2 for Pentecost Sunday.

The Gloria was then sung, followed by the fifth prayer (the one not used above).

The New Testament reading was from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11. [The Lectionary prescribes Romans 8:22-27]

The Pentecost Sequence (Veni Sancte Spiritus) was sung, followed by an "Alleluia" and Gospel Verse.

The Gospel reading was John 20:19-23. [The Lectionary prescribes John 7:37-39]

The homily was given.

After the homily, all recalled their Confirmation with a hymn, "Vieni, Spirito d'amore" (Come, Spirit of Love), a brief litany to the Holy Spirit and a prayer.

The Nicene Creed followed.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist proceeded as usual.