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The article presents the spirited address of Pope John Paul II on Pentecost in 1998 to an estimated crowd of five hundred thousand members of universal lay movements.  The pontiff intended an urgent dissemination of his message.

“Today, I would like to cry out to all of you gathered here in St. Peter’s Square and to all Christians: Open yourselves to the gifts of the Spirit! Accept gratefully and obediently the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow on us.”

The Bishops of the Second Vatican Council rediscovered “the charismatic dimension” of the Faith.  The pontiff stated the rediscovery was paramount to the present renewal of the Church’s life and mission.

 “In our days too, many signs and great witness have been given to individuals, groups and movements generously dedicated to the apostolate. They show that the marvels of Pentecost have not ceased but are renewed abundantly in the Church today. It is obvious that in addition to a considerable development in the doctrine of the charisms, there has also been a new flowering of active lay people in the Church: it is not by chance that the two facts occurred at the same time. All this is the work of the Holy Spirit …”

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