In Christian tradition, Pentecost is the 50th day after Easter when the disciples, huddled inside fearing for their lives, received courage and the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit, which appeared in the form of tongues of fire over each disciple’s head.
In a longtime Pentecost tradition at the Pantheon here in Rome, firefighters climb the outside of the Pantheon’s dome carrying thousands of red rose petals.
At the end of Mass, the bishop and priests and other celebrants process out in their red robes and the choir sings
as the petals float down through the open oculus
symbolizing the tongues of fire.
Yesterday, June 4, Brad and I waited outside with our friend, Patty Farmer, for about an hour, only to find we were too late to find seats and had to stand through the entire service. It was worth the sore legs. Very beautiful and moving and then so much fun with everyone playing in the petals afterwards.
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