Constitution of the Second Vatican Council on the Church. N4,12

When the work which the Father had given the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost that he might forever sanctify the Church. In this way all believers would have access to the Father through Christ in the one Spirit. He is the Spirit of life, a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. Through him the Father gives life to men who are dead from sin, till at last he revives in Christ even their mortal bodies.

The Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful as in a temple. In them he prays and witnesses to the fact that they are adopted sons. Guiding her in to all truth and uniting her in communion and service, he bestows upon her various gifts, both hierarchic and charismatic and adorns her with the fruits of his grace.

By the power of the gospel he allows the Church to keep the freshness of youth, and leads her to perfect union with her spouse. The Spirit and the bride both say to the Lord Jesus: ‘Come!’

Thus, the Church shines forth as a people made one with the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The whole body of the faithful who have an anointing that comes from the holy one cannot err in matters of belief. This characteristic is shown in the supernatural appreciation of the faith of the whole people, when, from the bishops to the last one of the faithful, they manifest a universal consent in matters of faith and morals. By this Spirit of truth, the People of God, guided by the sacred teaching authority and obeying it, receives not the mere word of men, but truly the word of God, the faith once for all delivered to the saints. The people unfailingly adheres to this faith, penetrates it more deeply with right judgement and applies it more fully in daily life.

It is not only through the sacraments and the ministrations of the Church that the Holy Spirit sanctifies the people, leads them and enriches them with his virtues. Allotting his gifts as he wills, he also distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts he makes them fit and ready to undertake various tasks and offices for the renewal and building up of the Church, as it is written: ‘The manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone for profit.’

Whether these charisms be remarkable or more simple and widely diffused, they are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation since they are fitting and useful for the needs of the Church.

INTERCESIONS

On this day of Pentecost, the Church is filled with joy. Strengthened with measureless hope, we pray to Christ, who is calling his Church together in the Holy Spirit. Res. Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord Jesus, raised on the cross, you poured out the water of rebirth for the life of the world – Quicken the life of all with the gift of the Spirit. Res.

Raised up to God’s right hand, you bestowed on the apostles the Father’s Gift;- your Church now waits for the same Gift the same hope. Res.

You breathed your Spirit upon the apostles, and gave them the power of forgiveness:- set all people free today fro the power of sin. Res.

You promised to send us the Spirit of truth that we might become your heralds throughout the world. – Through his presence in the Church may we bear faithful witness to you. Res.