“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” (Acts 2:4,11)

Pentecost is the Jewish feast of harvests; it fell on the 50th day after Jesus’ Resurrection. Ten days before Pentecost, Jesus ascended into Heaven from the town of Bethany (the same place where Jesus resurrected Lazarus). Having witnessed Jesus’ Ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and stayed in Mark’s house, praying fervently.

At that time, there were other disciples, women and Mary (Jesus’ mother) praying with the twelve Apostles (Matthias had already been chosen to replace Judas as Apostle). When the Holy Spirit came, “as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:2-3)

The different kinds of novena that the Church later developed all originated from the fervent prayers with which the Apostles prepared themselves before they received the Holy Spirit. Having been filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was the first to proclaim his testimony to the residents of Jerusalem, leading to the conversion of about 3,000 people who became newly baptized members of the Church.

Although God bestows each individual with different graces, the objective remains the same, which is to bear witness to God’s love and to know how to share it with others.