If Catholics observe Pentecost, why isn't the Holy Spirit present in the mass?

Question

... as evidenced by speaking in tongues?

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." -- Acts 2:1-4 NIV

In other words, speaking in tongues is evidence for non-believers for the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Why does the Catholic ritual not follow through on calling out to God, until he pours down his spirit?

I fully understand all the spiritual gifts, given undeservedly to all of us by God. It was never explained to me well while I was a Catholic, even after heavy duty catechism. So I dug deep in self-bible study and searched for answers in different churches. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is real, anywhere, anytime, to anyone who is willing to have a deeper walk with God, not just at the altar or pulpit through a priest. Not everyone receives this gift. But those that do should not be admonished for doing so.

“Forbid not to speak with tongues.” - (I Corinthians14: 39)

Answer 1

once you have recieved Christ, the Holy Spirit is ALWAYS present. this is something i have never understood about the pentecostal and charismatic churches. it seems to me that people seem to think they need electric guitars and drums to recieve the Holy Spirit, or to sense His presence. God has repeatedly told us in the bible things like ''I will never leave you nor forsake you,'' ''I am with you always, even to the end of the earth," and ''fear not, for the Lord is with you.'' i don't mean to disrespect anyone of these denominations, and i myself am not catholic. i simply mean to point out that you don't have to go to church and sing and dance to recieve the Holy Spirit. you don't need to speak in tongues to prove that you're christian. in fact, you don't need to PROVE that to anyone at all. i'm christian. i have strong faith, and it grows stronger everyday, but i have never ever spoken in tongues. there's no need for this. paul wrote that tongue-speaking is worth nothing if it carries no message, and we really don't need it if we're among people who speak the same language as us. that was the whole point of the pentecost in the first place: these guys spoke in tongues because the people around them wouldn't have understood them otherwise. a faithful believer with a need to spread the gospel to people who speak a different language would be able to speak in tongues and it would be viable. otherwise, it's not necessary. there's nothing wrong with it, but most of the time, it's not needed.

evidence of the Holy Spirit can be easily seen in the actions of the born-again christian, especially if you knew that person ''way back when.''

Answer 2

That is a really good question. Speaking in tongues is AN evidence of the Holy Spirit....however it is not THE evidence of the Holy Spirit. It is, according to scripture, a gift that some recieve but it is not the only gift. Some are blessed with the translation of tongues. Also, please understand that the interpretation of this scripture has changed over time. Originally, speaking in tongues was not a gibberish language. It was taken to mean that these people, that spoke different languages, could understand one another. The 'gibberish' that is considered 'speaking in tongues' today actually began in England. A young girl that was suffering from high fevers and seizures became delerious and started to ramble on and on about nothing at all. The minister that prayed by her bedside imitated the sounds she made and claimed that he was speaking in tongues. As a result many people belived him and he got very very rich in the process. His methods of 'doing business' (I refuse to call the Benny Hinn style of ministry 'preaching') have been emulated over the past couple centuries by people the world over.

Answer 3

Wow, what a narrow view of how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of people.

The Holy Spirit works in teh lives of people in so many ways. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, right judgement, knowledge, courage, reverence, and wonder and awe in the sight of God (Isaiah 11:2-3) and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

It is indeed a shame that you can only see the Holy Spirit at work in your life in such a limited way.

Most of the "speaking of tongues" that I have heard is meaningless babbling that benefits no one. Why would the Holy Spirit give a gift to someone that is of benefit to no one. Paul instructed that if there is to be the gift of tongues in public, there must also be an interpretation of tongues.

"So what is to be done, brothers? When you assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything should be done for building up.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret.
But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. "

1 Cor 14: 26-28

Answer 4

For starters, Catholics do believe in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at all times, most especially during Mass. As Scripture states, "No one can say Jesus is Lord apart from the Holy Spirit." Also, at the highest point of the Mass, the consecration of the Eucharist, the priest, no matter the language, states, "Through Him, With Him, In Him, in unity with the Holy Spirit...". Fact of the matter is that Catholics believe in the Holy Spirit's presence, we just often aren't as "charismatic" as our Christian brethren. The reason we don't often pray in tongues at Mass is because we follow a form and tradition of Eucharistic worship that dates back to Peter the Apostle, and first Pope, and is referenced in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did:

On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . . and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: ‘Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.171

I hope this was of some help, if not, email me, and I can see what help I can be. After I pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance of course. Peace and joy to you.

Answer 5

While there are in fact many Catholic assemblies in which the charisms of the Holy Spirit are fully manifested, insistence upon any one charism as evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence is unbiblical. The Bible tells us that there are many gifts but always the same Spirit, and that the same gifts are not manifested in all people or in all assemblies. If we call upon the Holy Spirit, then He is among us ("ask and you will receive"), whether people speak in tongues or not. The Holy Spirit is present in power in every Catholic Mass, sometimes in the form of tongues or prophecy, sometimes in the form of inspired teaching, sometimes in the form of wisdom or knowledge, but always in the form of strenghthening the relationship between God and His people.

Answer 6

Sometimes the priest speaks in Latin a language unknown to most. That's speaking in tongues.
The Holy Spirit is the One who who changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Answer 7

<> Active working towards Catholics DO reside a existence lead by way of the Holy Spirit. <> You can not declare to grasp that seeing that you do not need the potential to look into peoples' hearts. Only God can do this. You simply PRESUME that whatever is spiritually empty seeing that it's ritualistic. You don't KNOW it. <> Catholics DO obtain the Holy Spirit, just like the Apostles at Pentecost. An whole Holy Sacrament of the Catholic Church - Confirmation - is developed at the descending of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. <> Let he who's with out sin forged the primary stone. Since you're with sin your self. Put down your stone. <> God's Love and Mercy are Infinite. God is inclined to forgive sins, even uncountable repeat offenses, as long as the sinner is sincere and contrite in his/her repentence. You are all too fast to sentence whilst the God you declare to comply with is all too fast to forgive. I instructed you that you weren't with out sin. <> Catholics DO permit the Holy Spirit to difference them. You presume an excessive amount of - and presumption is a sin, you already know.

Answer 8

I am a spirit filled christian as well, however, people believe that the holy spirit presents himself differently... thats why there are gifts of the holy spirit, not just one gift...

Answer 9

Why do you limit the way in which the Holy Spirit can work?
Why is there only one manifestation which you will accept as being from God?
Just questions....

Peace to you.

Answer 10

it`s a misconception to wait for the Holy Spirit to come with the wind.

why?

because it is allready planted in the deepest part of our personality through baptism and confirmation.

We have to recognize that!