By Sr. Sara Kowal
SCTJM Director of Faith Formation

Almost 2000 years ago, behind locked doors, an event occurred that changed the world. It changed the world because it changed the men to which it happened.

The event of Pentecost is probably a familiar story for us — tongues of fire, rushing wind, loud noises, speaking in many languages, and more. It was clearly an exciting and noticeable event that drew people’s attention — thousands of people gathered because of what they saw and heard. However, I believe that the exterior manifestations are not the real “miracle” of the moment.

For me, the most striking part of Pentecost has always been the transformation of the Apostles. Before this event, they were men who had denied Jesus, betrayed him, ran away in fear when he was arrested, were absent during his crucifixion, and hid behind locked doors even after his resurrection.

Though we often understand their weakness, as we see the same kind in ourselves, we recognize they were not really models of courage. But then comes Pentecost. There they are changed. Peter gets up and fearlessly preaches a homily that converts 3,000. In the next chapters of Acts, we read about the Apostles getting flogged, scourged and jailed for preaching about Jesus — and then, after being told to stop by the authorities, going back to do it again in the very place they were first arrested. They were not the same men before Pentecost and after Pentecost. After Pentecost, this small group of 12 goes out to fearlessly transform the whole world. The Holy Spirit changes things. The Holy Spirit changes us.

It is for this reason that we united in prayer at the end of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress to pray for a new Pentecost. Led and encouraged by Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary who delivered the final keynote address, the 60,000 attendees present that day prayed for a pouring forth of the Holy Spirit once again. Why? Because the Holy Spirit changes things. The Holy Spirit changes us — and when we change, the world changes.

This is the lesson that the Apostles give us. This lesson was first given to us by Our Lady. She was the first to experience Pentecost at the Annunciation when the Holy Spirit overshadowed her and united Himself to her as his spouse. This Pentecost brought about the Incarnation of Jesus Christ into the world and changed all of history forever.

As we walk away from the Congress — a truly powerful event in the life of the Church — we must be, as Mother Adela exhorted us, “Marian missionaries of the Eucharist.” We must, like Our Lady and the Apostles, call forth the Holy Spirit into our hearts and lives and allow Him to transform us. In doing so, we will help to transform the world. Mother Adela concluded: “It’s time to make choices. What kind of history are we going to build? Like Our Lady we need to go out and conquer many hearts for the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us be missionaries of the Eucharist and Our Lady at all times and in all situations.”