In the "extraordinary event" of Pentecost, "we find the essential, qualifying features of the Church": one, holy, Catholic, apostolic. It was said yesterday morning by Benedict XVI, before introducing the Regina Caeli from Saint Peter’s Square. With "the big feast of Pentecost", explained the Pope, "the liturgy makes us relive the birth of the Church", as told by Saint Luke in the Acts of the Apostles: "Fifty days after East, the Holy Spirit descended on to the community of the Disciples, ‘assiduous and concordant in prayer’, gathered ‘with Mary, Jesus’ Mother’ and with the Twelve Apostles. So we can say the Church had its solemn beginning with the descent of the Holy Spirit". The Church, explained the Holy Father, "is one, like the community of Pentecost, which was united in prayer and ‘concordant’: ‘it had one heart and one soul’"; "it is holy, not for its merits, but because, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, it keeps its glance fixed on Christ, to conform to Him and to His love"; "it is Catholic, because the Gospel is intended for all peoples, and, because of this, since its very beginning, the Holy Spirit has made it speak all languages"; "it is apostolic, because, erected on the foundation of the Apostles, it faithfully preserves their teaching through the uninterrupted chain of the apostolic succession". (continued)
