The Icon(s) of Pentecost – explained

The Coming of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

When we look at an ‘icon’ to assist us in our prayers. It is very important to remember that the picture before us is not a ‘capture’ of a past moment like a photograph. Nor is it an attempt to give a picture of what happened.

Rather: it a PRESENT REALITY arising from a past action. For proper icons of FAITH this will be a present reality of the place of the CHURCH (and our part in the Church, as baptised and confirmed) arising from an ACTION OF GOD FOR OUR SALVATION. And so…..the Feast of Pentecost is not only the commemoration of an historical event, but a celebration of a present reality: the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Likewise, the Icon for Pentecost is much more than the depiction of a past event.

Beginning at the top of the icon, we see from what appears as a blue semi-circle the ‘mandorla’ twelve rays coming down. The ‘mandorla’ is an indication of the glory of God (see: Exodus 33:11 and Ezekiel 11:23). A full depiction is shown in the icon of the Transfiguration for example:

 

From the ’mandorla’, each of these ‘rays of light’ are directed to one of the men present. Those men are gathered in unity. Each in a different pose but no sign of confusion or disruption – almost serene. These poses are an indication of the different gifts that the Holy Spirit brings to the Church.                          (see: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11). At the head of this semi-circle of the Apostles are St. Peter and St. Paul. As if we needed again to be reminded that this is NOT an historical picture – Paul had not yet had his conversion on the road to Damascus.

Next on both sides are the FOUR EVANGELISTS, each holding a book – a book of their GOSPEL. Another reminder that this is not a portrait of an historical event. Unlike icons of saintly Bishops who hold the book through their vestment, the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, hold the Gospel with their bare hands. A reminder to us of the esteem and reverence we should hold the truths of the Holy Gospel and a reminder to all who preach the Holy Gospel that it is NOT their word but the WORD OF GOD. A reminder that what we have received, we are to pass on.

The remaining six Apostles hold scrolls. A Scroll indicates holy Wisdom, and so is often shown in the hands of the Old Testament prophets, but is also seen in the hands of the Apostles. Both were given wisdom from God – the prophets through visions, the Apostles through meeting and knowing Jesus Christ. Having the wisdom of God comes as a result of knowing Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh: it is precisely because these Apostles’ writing/wisdom/prophecy comes from God, not their own reasoning, that they are glorified. (see Matthew 28:20).

Perhaps, unnoticed is the EMPTY SEAT -a striking aspect of the Pentecost Icon is the empty space at the centre, between the Apostles Peter and Paul. This central seat is a place of honour, the “Teacher’s Seat” around which the Apostles are gathered. Why is it empty?

Because it is the seat Christ should be sitting in, who has ascended physically into Heaven. Yet Jesus promised many times that though He would leave them physically, He would instead give to them the Holy Spirit as a Comforter, Advocate, and Guide. This promise was first realized at Pentecost, and is still true today. Therefore, the Icon, which is also an Icon of the Church, shows the Apostles gathered in unity, sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit, surrounding Christ who is invisibly present.

At the bottom of the Icon is another semi-circle, showing an old king against a dark background. He is often named as Kosmos and represents the world. He is crowned as a symbol of earthly authority – i.e. he represents all the peoples of the world, rather than the whole of creation. He is sat “in darkness and the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79), and is aged to show the corruptibility of the world. Yet he also holds a blanket containing scrolls representing Apostolic teaching (compare with the scrolls held by the Apostles in the Icon itself). Though in darkness, the descent of the Holy Spirit has not only reached the Apostles, but also all corners of the world into which the Apostles will preach the Gospel. As Kosmos stands representing ‘earthly wisdom and earthly power’: his open hands remind us that the Holy Spirit can and does bring a FULL meaning to earthly ideas only if those ideas are brought into the ‘light of the Holy Spirit’.  A final reminder: as our eyes drift from top to bottom, from ‘mandorla’ to ‘Kosmos’, a true judgement relies on holding matters before the light of the Truth which the Holy Spirit brings. All too often, people try to justify things the other way round – offering the wisdom of the world to ask God to make it his !!

From about the Seventeenth century onwards, some icons incorporated a depiction of Our Lady. Possibly, this was because Western Art did so. Or because Our Lady was indeed present at the Coming of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Mother of God (the Theotokos) in the centre is not problematic though, as she is the ultimate exemplar of a Christian. With Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, the Holy Spirit acts within people, and through the Saints Christ is manifested in the world. Mary is therefore shown in the “teacher’s seat” as the best example we have, and the person on earth who most resembled Jesus Christ (both physically, as His mother, and spiritually as His disciple). Mary in these icons encapsulates all that is shown in the more ancient images. She stands in her own right as the person of Mother of God, and first disciple as Mother of the Church : Maria-Ecclesia. (see John 2:5 and Luke 8:21)

 

O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast 

sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation,

pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit

across the face of the earth

and, with the divine grace that was at work

when the Gospel was first proclaimed,

fill now once more the hearts of believers.

Through Christ our Lord.

 

NEWSLETTER- Sunday 31st May 2020. PENTECOST (Whitsun) AND Homily for Pentecost HE Vincent Cardinal Nichols

Holy Mass is said privately and all churches continue to be closed

Confession by appointment

Sunday: Pentecost

Holy Mass Intention: for the parish

Whit Monday: Mary, Mother of the Church             (Octave of Pentecost)

Holy Mass Intention:

Whit Tuesday: SS. Marcellinus and Peter                 (Octave of Pentecost)

Holy Mass Intention: Damian Divine (int)

Wednesday: SS Charles Lwanga and Companions   (Octave of Pentecost)

Holy Mass Intention: Bill Tomlinson (RIP)

Thursday: Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Priest       (Octave of Pentecost)

Holy Mass Intention:Margaret Burke (RIP)

Friday: S. Boniface                                                    (Octave of Pentecost)

Holy Mass Intention: Mary Scully (RIP)

Saturday: S. Norbert                                                 (Octave of Pentecost)

Holy Mass Intention: James (int)

Sunday: The Most Holy Trinity

Holy Mass Intention: for the parish

Given on Pentecost Sunday, 31^st May 2020, at Westminster Cathedral

Life has been so strange for these last ten weeks. There has never been a time quite like it, difficult yet gifted. For, in fact, these weeks have been full of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, whose coming on the group of the first disciples of the Lord we celebrate today. We thank God for the giving of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, then and now.

A few days ago, I had one of these ‘virtual meetings’ with all the men who are in preparation for service as priests in our parishes. There were over 20 of them, many now part of a ‘household of a presbytery’ where they help out in the ministry of the priests. Their stories were full of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

They spoke of their joy and encouragement in being able to share in the life of the priests, who had welcomed them so warmly into their homes. Such gracious hospitality, a touch of the Holy Spirit.

They spoke of finding that prayer was at the heart of each day and that these weeks were giving them time to grow closer to the Lord.  Such prayer is the gift of the Holy Spirit who shows us how to pray when our hearts know not what to do. This gift is there for all of us. We just have to ask and open our hearts.

They spoke not only of their own prayer but of all the ways in which they have been drawn into sharing prayer with others, over the internet, over the telephone, in rosary circles, in Scripture reflection. Many of you are doing this. Yes, it is the Holy Spirit who urges us to reach out to others and share with them the joy and consolation we find in the Lord's presence. We are just like those first disciples: we need this encouragement, this gift, in order to overcome our reticence and speak openly with others, with care and respect, of the greatness of our faith. There is no time like the present for doing that!

The seminarians spoke too of sharing in the awful sadnesses of this time: being present at gravesides with such a small group of people bidding farewell to a loved one, feeling the painful breaking of bonds that death entails, without the comfort of wider family and friends.

The great work of the Holy Spirit is, of course, to bring about the astonishing miracle of the Mass.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit the bread and wine which we bring to the altar becomes the Body and Blood of the Lord, our nourishment for the journey of life. How hard it is to be away from this Eucharist Communion. How much we need to rely on the same Holy Spirit to bring the presence of the Lord into our hearts through a spiritual communion. The Holy Spirit can do that.

No confines, walls or rules can limit the gracious working of the Holy Spirit whose gifts are to be found in so many places.

Today we think of the group of disciples, with Mary, waiting, as they were bidden, in the Upper Room. The doors were closed. Jesus came and breathed upon them and said ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’. Then they were empowered, fired by that gift which is also described as being ‘like tongues of flame’. Flinging open the doors, out they came, ready at last for their mission.

We, too, are waiting to open these doors, the doors of our churches. The waiting has been hard but we have accepted the Government's decision to close our churches because the protection of life required it. But this week's announcements by the Prime Minister that some indoor sales premises can open tomorrow and that most shops can open on 15^th June, questions directly the reasons why our churches remain closed.

We are told that these openings, which are to be carefully managed, are based on the need to encourage key activities to start up again. Why are churches excluded from this decision?

The importance of faith to so many people is clear. The role of faith in our society has been made even clearer in these last weeks: as a motivation for the selfless care of the sick and dying; as providing crucial comfort in bereavement; as a source of immense and effective provision for those in sharp and pressing need; as underpinning a vision of the dignity of every person, a dignity that has to be at the heart of the rebuilding of our society.

The opening of our churches, even if just for individual prayer, helps to nurture this vital contribution to our common good.

Opening churches must be done safely. That is so important. We are confident that we can do so. We have developed expert guidance. We are ready to follow the Government's guidelines as soon as they are finalised. What is the risk to a person who sits quietly in a church which is being thoroughly cleaned, properly supervised and in which social distancing is maintained? The benefits of being able to access places of prayer is profound, on individual and family stability and, significantly, on their willingness to help others in their need.

It is now time to move to the phased opening of our churches.

Thankfully the mission of the Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit, knows no boundaries.  We see this every day. I am confident that the experience of this ‘lock down’ is teaching us many new ways of sharing faith, of explaining faith, of putting faith into practice. Thank you all, so much, for the witness you are giving.

In speaking today of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis says this:

‘Dear friends, we are called to share the comfort of the Spirit, the closeness of God we have received. How do we do this? Everything we would like others to do for us let us do to them instead. Do we want to be heard? Let us first listen. Do we need encouragement? Let us give encouragement. Do we want someone to care for us? Let us care for those who are alone and abandoned. Do we need hope for tomorrow? Let us give hope today. Let us, then, become messengers of the comfort bestowed by the Spirit.’ (Message of Pope Francis for Thy Kingdom Come)     

Today we remember: the Holy Spirit is the fire that keeps us going; the water of the immensity of God's life within us; the dove of his peace after disaster; the wisdom that shows us right from wrong; the creative spirit who makes a work of art of our lives, the wind that will urge us on to our heavenly home - if we will let him do so!

Holy Spirit of God:
Thou of all consolers best
Thou the soul’s delightful guest
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Give us comfort when we die
Give us life with thee on high
Give us joy that never ends.

Amen

HE Vincent Cardinal Nichols

NEWSLETTER –The Seventh Sunday in Eastertide (Sunday after the Ascension) - Sunday 24th May 2020.

Holy Mass is said privately and all Churches continue to be closed

Confessions by appointment

The Novena for the Holy Spirit continues

Sunday – Easter 7

Holy Mass Intention: for the Parish

Monday – The Venerable Bede (Bank Holiday)

Holy Mass Intention:

Tuesday – St. Philip Neri

Holy Mass Intention:

Wednesday – St. Augustine of Canterbury

Holy Mass Intention:

Thursday

Holy Mass Intention:

Friday – St. Pope Paul VI

Holy Mass Intention:

Saturday – The Vigil of Pentecost (Whitsun)

Holy Mass Intention:

Sunday – Pentecost (Whitsun)

Holy Mass Intention: for the Parish

PASTORAL MESSAGE FROM 
HIS EMINENCE the Archbishop of Westminster: 
for the Vigil of Pentecost

https://vimeo.com/421046273

NEWSLETTER – Sixth Sunday of Eastertide – Sunday 17th May 2020

Holy Mass is said privately and all Churches continue to be closed.

Confession by appointment

Sunday:

Holy Mass Intention: for the parish

Rogation Monday:

Holy Mass Intention:

Rogation Tuesday:

Holy Mass Intention: Bill Tomlinson (RIP)

Rogation Wednesday: (Vigil of the Ascension)

Holy Mass Intention: Maeve (int)

Thursday: The Ascension of our Lord

Holy Mass Intention: for the parish

Friday: (St. Rita of Cassia)

Holy Mass Intention:

Saturday: of Our Lady

Holy Mass Intention:

Sunday (Easter 7)

Holy Mass Intention: for the parish

ROGATION DAYS: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we commemorate the Rogation Days, traditional days of prayer, and formerly fasting, (which take place every year on April 25th and the three days preceding the feast of the Ascension, the former being known as the Major Rogation and the latter as the Minor Rogations). The word “rogation” has its origins in the Latin word “rogare”, which means to supplicate or ask, and the purpose of the Days is to beg God for His mercy, to turn away His anger, and to ask Him to bless the fruits of the earth while protecting us from natural disasters.

All the Rogation Days consist of a procession followed by a Rogation Mass. The procession, which traditionally moved around the territorial borders of the parish, includes the blessing of the fields and other natural features of the landscape during the recitation of the Litany of the Saints.

Et ego dico vobis: Pétite, et dábitur vobis: quaérite, et inveniétis: pulsáte, et aperiétur vobis. Omnis enim qui petit, áccipit: et qui quærit, invénit: et pulsánti aperiétur.

And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

– Luke 11:9-10, from the Gospel for the Rogation Mass

The Litany of the Saints can be found here:
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-the-saints-250

NEWSLETTER – Sunday 10th May 2020 The Fifth Sunday in Eastertide

Holy Mass is said privately and all Churches continue to be closed.

Confession by appointment

SUNDAY

Holy Mass intention: for the parish


MONDAY:

Holy Mass Intention:


TUESDAY (St. Pancras)

Holy Mass Intention: (private intention)


WEDNESDAY (Our Lady of Fatima)

Holy Mass Intention: (private intention)


THURSDAY: (St. Matthias)

Holy Mass Intention:


FRIDAY

Holy Mass Intention:


SATURDAY

Holy Mass Intention:


SUNDAY (Easter 6)

Holy Mass Intention: for the parish

Homily given at the Mass to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, 8th May 2020 in Westminster Cathedral by The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Cardinal Nichols.

I am not old enough to remember VE Day! Many of you are! I just about remember that exciting feeling when rationing of sweets ended and there was a steady supply of butter. But the excitement of 8 May 1945 was too early for me.

Today gives us all an opportunity to recall afresh the excitement of victory in the enormous effort of that terrible war. Images of that excitement abound today, and this Memorial Day will be rounded off by Her Majesty the Queen herself.

On Sunday 13 May 1945, a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated here in this Cathedral by Cardinal Griffin. He spoke of the pride in the armed forces, in the example set by the King and Queen, in the leadership of Winston Churchill. He described the war as a fight to the death against totalitarianism and added, I quote, ‘an ugly word for an ugly thing which means that the State lays claim to the bodies and souls of its citizens, usurping the place of God’. That ugliness we saw in its fullness particularly in the ‘ghastly truth of the concentration camps.’

Ronnie Knox, that great preacher, pointed the way in which we were to thank God. I quote: ‘Thank God not so much because our enemies have been humiliated as because one more warning has been pasted up on the notice-board of history against the drunkard's dream of world-conquest.’

It was a time of great rejoicing indeed.

But there was also much sorrow in that rejoicing: so many not coming home; so many lost lives at home; so much destruction. Sense had to be made of all the death and suffering: lives taken and many lives given.

In the prayers of those days, as in these days too, the reality and cost of self-sacrifice is central. Indeed, the ultimate prayer we have been given, the prayer of the Mass, has at this heart the act of self-sacrifice: the mystery of the Word of God in our flesh, offering himself in sacrifice for our freedom.

In the face of the ugly and wholesale death of war we are either struck dumb or we cling to the Cross of Christ. He alone gives death and suffering a new and redemptive dimension. He gave of himself that we might live. So too did so many. In his Godhead Jesus has victory over death; in his humanity he gives us a share in that victory, such that we, in  our turn, can make an offering of our suffering and even of life itself. No wonder the words of the hymn Abide with me strike such a deep chord in our land. ‘Hold thou thy Cross before my closing eyes… in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me’. This, too, we remember today with profound thankfulness.

There was another sense in the hearts of many on that day in May seventy-five years ago. They knew that huge challenges lay ahead. A social order and a society had to be rebuilt, not just here but in so many other countries, too. New dangers stalked the world: poverty, long-term unemployment, rancour and discord which had to be overcome if a true peace, always more than the absence of war, was to be constructed.

History tells us that in the post-war years some great achievements emerged from dialogue and mutual effort. A need was recognised for more than a renewed economy. A renewal of spirit, a renewal of identity, a renewal of values and personal moral vision was needed to replace the deconstruction of so much in the brutality of warfare. The vision of faith, the Christian faith, played a crucial part in that effort, notably in the construction of a renewed system of education. Similarly, the NHS emerged, and social renewal in housing and welfare. It was a time of building, houses and souls. That too must be part of our reflection today, and part of our thanksgiving.

Now we are living through our own crisis. Today we work hard for victory over this devastating virus. Today we see the patterns of self-sacrifice emerge again from the depths of the human soul. Today we begin to glimpse the immensity of the task that lies ahead, with poverty, unemployment, vast movements of vulnerable people just some of the challenges we face. We too need all our resources to meet these challenges and refashion a society that is intent on ignoring no-one, no matter how weak.

In these weeks we are working together to ensure that no-one, no matter how weak, is left without the medical care they need in this pandemic. That pattern and intent can truly be a model, a pointer, for the society we want to fashion anew in our day. Through our politics, through our business and enterprise, through our education, through our families, through our faith we can fashion a society focussed on and dedicated to the common good, a good from which no one, absolutely no one, is excluded.

Victory in Europe, 8 May 1945, was a marvellous moment. The war continued in the Far East until September. But it was a moment of such invigorating joy that we do well to remember and celebrate it in thanksgiving and prayer. May God bless all those who won for us that victory. May God bless us all in our present struggle. May God and the light that He alone can give, always be our guide and our strength. Amen.

✠Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Archbishop of Westminster

Newsletter- FOURTH SUNDAY IN EASTERTIDE Sunday 3rd May 2020 and A Message from the Metropolitan Archbishops of the Catholic Church in England and Wales

Holy Mass is said privately and all Churches continue to be closed.

Sunday: (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Holy Mass Intention: for the Parish


Monday: The Martyrs of England

Holy Mass Intention:


Tuesday:

Holy Mass Intention:


Wednesday: Private Intention

Holy Mass Intention:


Thursday:

Holy Mass Intention:


Friday: (Bank Holiday – VE DAY)

Holy Mass Intention: Bill Tomlinson (RIP)


Saturday:

Holy Mass Intention:


Sunday: (Fifth Sunday in Eastertide)

Holy Mass Intention: For the Parish

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The radiance of the risen Lord shines upon us. At a time when so many shadows are cast into our lives, and upon our world, the light of the resurrection shines forever to renew and restore our hope.

In the words of our Holy Father, Pope Francis: 'In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side' (27 March 2020).

The impact of COVID-19, both nationally and internationally, has been immense. So much of what we take for granted has changed. Our health and physical interaction, our capacity to travel and gather, have all been affected. There is uncertainty in our future, especially with work and the country’s economy. As we know, very sadly, large numbers of people have died because of the coronavirus, and others have been or remain seriously ill. Key workers, not least in the National Health Service and care sectors, are serving selflessly to sustain the life of our nation. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who is suffering because of COVID-19, and to all those battling to overcome its effects. May those who have died rest in peace and those who are bereaved find comfort.

When the Prime Minister announced the lockdown, this included places of worship and therefore Catholic churches. These measures were put in place to stem the general transmission of the virus. It is right that the Catholic community fulfils its role in contributing to the preservation of life and the common good of society. This must continue until the restrictions applied by the Government are lifted.

None of us would want to be in the situation in which we find ourselves. While the live-streaming of the Mass and other devotions is playing an important part in maintaining the life of faith, there is no substitute for Catholics being able to physically attend and participate in the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments.

Our faith is expressed powerfully and beautifully though ‘seeing, touching, and tasting.’ We know that every bishop and every priest recognises the pain of Catholics who, at present, cannot pray in church or receive the sacraments. This weighs heavily on our hearts. We are deeply moved by the Eucharistic yearning expressed by so many members of the faithful. We thank you sincerely for your love for the Lord Jesus, present in the sacraments and supremely so in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The bishops and priests of every diocese are remembering you and your loved ones at Mass each day in our churches as we pray ‘in hope of health and well-being.’ We thank our priests for this faithfulness to their calling.

As the Government’s restrictions are relaxed step by step, we look forward to opening our churches and resuming our liturgical, spiritual, catechetical and pastoral life step by step. This will also be of service to those beyond the Catholic Church who depend on our charitable activity and outreach through which much goodness is shared by so many volunteers from our communities.

None of us knows, as yet, how or when the lockdown will end. There is likely to be a phased return to travelling and gathering. As a church, we are now planning for this time and our discussions with the statutory public health agencies and Government representatives are ongoing. Together with Catholics across England and Wales we desire the opening of our churches and access to the sacraments. Until then, we are continuing to pray and prepare.

We want to acknowledge with gratitude the service of our fellow bishops and priests, our deacons and religious, our families and lay faithful, together with all our parish and school communities, for the wonderful ways the life of the faith is being nourished at this time, especially in the home. We also pay tribute to the Catholic organisations and networks that are working to support the vulnerable and needy.

On that first Easter day, the disciples were in lockdown and the doors were closed. In their isolation the Lord Jesus came among them and said ‘Peace be with you.’ May the peace of the risen Lord reign in our hearts and homes as we look forward to the day we can enter church again and gather around the altar to offer together the Sacrifice of Praise.

We unite in asking the intercession of Our Blessed Lady and assure you of our prayers and blessing.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

✠ Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

✠ Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool

✠ Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham

✠ George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff

✠ John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark