Special Pentecost in the Jerusalem kehilla

Pentecost is a happy occasion every year, the birthday of the community of Christ which receives the gift of the Holy Spirit on this feast. This year the chapel was especially filled because of the conferring of confirmation on two members of the kehilla, M. and D. Eight priests joined Father David and among them Father Apolinary, responsible for the Jaffa kehilla. Around the two members sat family members and members of the youth group preparing to travel for the Youth Days in Madrid. The choir under the direction of Benedetto contributed greatly to the sense of joy in the congregation of faithful.

After the readings, Father David gave a homily focused on two verses from the psalm, Psalm 104: “When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works”. On this day the body is re-created by the breath given by the Resurrected Jesus. On this day, the earth is renewed and borders of animosity disappear and everyone understands everyone else. On this day, God is glad because of His works, glad in the one Spirit that is in them all and in the diversity of the gifts that the same Spirit bestows.

At the end of the homily, Father David invited the two members to renew their baptismal commitment and reaffirm the Church’s faith and then he made the sign of the Holy Spirit in confirmation on their foreheads with the chrism oil.

After communion, one of the members who had just received confirmation sang a beautiful song in English, telling the story of a woman who began to pray again after a terrible accident. At the end of the song, the moved congregation of faithful burst into joyful applause. The celebration continued after the final blessing in the hall around delicious food and drink. Mazal Tov… we continue to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and for the gift to live faithfully by them.

The two newly confirmed members have written their reflections that can be read on our site

To read M's reflection here

To read D's reflection here