Wear red this Pentecost

Bishop Patrick invites to all members of the Diocese of Nottingham to wear the colour red on Pentecost Sunday Mass this 8^thJune 2025.

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The Birth of the Church

Pentecost comes from the Greek pentekost and it means "50th". This celebration occurs 50 days after Easter.

This movable feast commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent upon the Apostles, as described in Acts 2:1-41. A "strong, driving wind" and "tongues of fire" enabled them to speak in diverse languages, allowing all present to understand. Though some initially believed them drunk, Peter clarified this phenomenon as the work of the Holy Spirit.

This event empowered the Apostles with the gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the Great Commission: to preach the Gospel to all nations, as Christ had promised they would be "clothed with power." Following this, Peter delivered his first homily, explaining how Old Testament prophecies foretold these events and proclaiming Jesus as Lord. His sermon moved 3,000 people to repent and be baptized. For this reason, Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church, marking the moment when believers were united by a common language, zeal, and purpose to spread the Gospel.

Why the colour red?

The colour red traditionally symbolises the tongues of fire that rested upon the disciples at Pentecost. This imagery of fire signifies the intense and purifying presence of the Holy Spirit, igniting faith and empowering believers.

In Acts 2:3-4 (NIV), it says:

"And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."

Beyond this immediate connection, red also represents divine love, passion, and the sacrifice of Christ, reflecting the Holy Spirit's profound presence which ignited courage and zeal within the early Church.

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