Pentecost / Whitsunday

Today is the feast of Pentecost (or Whitsunday) which is one of the principal feasts of the Church.

I was on duty at church today as thurifer so somewhat sweltered under the robes carrying round a pot with burning charcoal and incense.


Following Mass we went for an ecumenical service at the nearby Baptist Church, we processed there fully robed with banners in procession complete with smoke.

When we entered the church some people did the loud put on coughing that some people like to do as soon as they see a thurible. (I once had somebody start coughing like that when I was carying an empty, unlit thurible!)

After the short ecumenical prayers we processed back, I had great fun going up the aisle generating lots of smoke and doing 360s with the thurible.

Later this evening when it has cooled down a bit Jane () and I will go to the pub for a couple of pints. After all it is the Church's birthday so we must celebrate!


The Collect for Pentecost:

God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.