At the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, a sacred space awaits—where the mystery of Pentecost comes alive through light, sound, and art. This is not merely a room to observe; it is a place to enter and experience an event: ever ancient, ever new.

What should you expect? It begins in darkness.

A sudden sound shatters the silence—thunder rolling across the heavens, the piercing sound of trumpeters, and the rushing wind of divine presence. In that moment, we are brought back to Sinai, to fire and cloud and trembling earth.

On the morning of the third day, there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast of the horn... Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the Lord came down upon it in fire. (Ex. 19:16, 18)

As the cacophony fades, a gentle light fills the space, drawing visitors into the scene.

A table glows to one side, laid with a menorah, scrolls, and a sheaf of grain, evoking the reverence of an Upper Room from long ago.

It is the night of Pentecost, known in Hebrew as Shavuot—the feast that commemorates the giving of the Law. Ten days have passed since Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, fifty since his Resurrection.

Before He departed, He gave His disciples a promise:

I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high... John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:5)

Now, about 120 followers of Christ have gathered. They are in the same Upper Room where He had broken bread, washed their feet, and given His Body. Tonight, they keep vigil. Jewish days begin at sundown, and this sacred night has been one of prayer and anticipation of future redemption

Now suddenly, the wind returns—this time, rushing not over mountains, but through walls and heartbeats.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. (Acts 2:1–2)

Above them, light bursts forth in the form of a dove, radiating downward. The fire of heaven does not consume; it rests gently—transforming.

There appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:3–4)

Voices rise—not in confusion, but in harmony. Languages echo through the space: Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Coptic... Each person hears and understands.

At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language... ‘Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in our own native language?’ (Acts 2:6– 8)

One by one, figures in the room come into focus. The Virgin Mary. Peter. Mary Magdalene. James... The room is not filled with statues or stories—but people. Flesh and faith. We remember many of their names:

Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:13–14)

Pentecost is often imagined as a quiet scene—but this is a crowd! Acts tells us there were about 120 gathered. Who were they?

Matthias who replaced Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve. The Samaritan woman who became a witness.

Lazarus, raised from death, along with his sisters Martha and Mary. The man once lame, who helps another to his feet now healed.

Nicodemus, who sought the truth by night.

The Syrophoenician woman of persevering faith. And so many more...

The Holy Spirit had not only come upon the apostles—it had come for all the nations. Empowered by the wind and fire, Peter rises. Once fearful, now fearless.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

The scroll drops to the floor. The echo of parchment signals the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise.

It will come to pass... that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh... and I will work wonders in the heaves above and sings on the earth below. (Acts 2:17, 19)

The mission of Pentecost had begun—not as an ending, but as a birth. The Church is alive, burning with a Spirit that could never be extinguished.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. (Acts 2:41)

Light floods the space and every corner of the Upper Room is visible. The disciples, once hidden in fear, are radiant in glory. The murmur of distant prayer lingers like incense in the air.

Like Moses at Sinai, the disciples had received a gift from heaven. But this time, it was not a law carved in stone—it is the living Spirit written on their hearts.

I will place my law within them, and write it upon their heart... I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. (Jer. 31:33; Ez. 36:26)

What does this Spirit look like? See the faces around you... It looks like love. Like joy. Like peace. Patience. Kindness. Generosity. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

You were called for freedom, brothers... serve one another through love... If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. (Gal. 5:13, 25)

The fire that once danced over their heads now rests in the hearts of millions. And here, in this room, the flame still burns.

Pentecost was not just a moment. It is a mission.

Now, as then, the question arises for all visitors to the Pentecost Room:

What does this mean? (Acts 2:12)

The Holy Spirit is still at work. Still speaking. Still sending. What does this mean for me?

Come to Notre Dame and experience this for yourself!

The Pentecost Room will be officially inaugurated this Pentecost, and you are invited to join us in prayer from Jerusalem through daily livestreams of the Pentecost Novena from May 30-June 7^th, 2025. Subscribe here to receive the daily prayer via email.

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