Ecumenical Pentecost vigil 2021 organized by CHARIS

The Commission for Christian Unity of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service (CHARIS) organized an ecumenical Pentecost vigil on 22 May 2021. The event was attended by Christians from all traditions and continents. During the evening, the historical steps of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement were covered, with its own ecumenical origins highlighted. The transmission in direct streaming came from Jerusalem, Rome, Topeka and Buenos Aires.

The heart of the prayer was the invocation of the Spirit for the unity of the Body of Christ. Renowned Catholic leaders and Pentecostal and Charismatic pastors offered their testimonies, while a meditation on the Holy Spirit was given by His Grace Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. The vigil ended with a video message of Pope Francis, transmitted from the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, where a group of Christians of diverse traditions had gathered.

In his message, Pope Francis lamented the grave fragmentation among Christians and invited all to rediscover fraternal love and to offer common witness:

“Brothers and sisters, this night can be a prophecy; it can be the beginning of the witness that we Christians, together, must give to the world: to be witnesses of God’s love that has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. The love to which we believers in Jesus have been called. Because tonight thousands of Christians will raise the same prayer together, from the corners of the earth: Come, Holy Spirit! Come, Spirit of love, and change the face of the earth, and change my heart!”