23 June 2024 (MIA)

Macedonian Orthodox Church Calendar

Pentecost

It’s called Pentecost and not just because it is celebrated fifty days after Easter but also because the event occurred exactly on the Jewish feast of Pentecost when Jews honored the memory of the day when the Lord gave Moses the 10 commandments at Mount Sinai. This holiday is usually associated with the souls of the dead, and customs that are performed on this day are connected with those beliefs. Pentecost is a Christian holiday dedicated to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the establishment of the Church. On this day Christ fulfilled the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, the power from above, the promise of the Father) which Christ gave them by ordering the apostles not to far away from Jerusalem when it happens. On this day Christ’s apostles were clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit and fully qualified to be the body of Christ on earth. On this day apostles having received the Holy Spirit, from civic association were transformed into Christ Church.

Catholic Calendar

St. Joseph Cafasso

Born with a deformed spine, and into a wealthy peasant family; short in stature and crippled throughout his life. Ordained in 1833. Professor of moral theology at ecclesiastical college at Turin in 1863. Superior of the college from 1846 to 1860. Retreat house director. Pastor of Saint Francis Church in 1848. Renowned confessor. Promoted devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Friend of and advisor to Saint John Bosco, having first met him when Joseph was 12 years old; Saint John wrote a biography of Saint Joseph. Founded religious fellowships. Born on 1811 at Castelnuovo d’Asti, Italy and died June 23, 1860 at Turin, Italy of pneumonia, a stomach haemorrhage, and complications of his congenital medical problems; his will bequeathed everything to aid the ministry of Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo; Saint John Bosco preached the funeral Mass homily.