A Shower of Rose Petals for Pentecost

A Shower of Rose Petals for Pentecost at St. John Cantius Church - May 23, 2010
On Pentecost Sunday at St. John Cantius, a beautiful ancient custom takes place at the end of Mass. In Rome, from the early centuries, rose petals would be dropped through the the circular "oculus" at the Pantheon (now a minor basilica called "S. Maria ad martyres"). The petals would fall to the crowd below reminiscent of the coming of the Holy Spirit like tongues of flame. This beautiful custom took place at the end of the Masses on Pentecost Sunday at St. John Cantius Church. Rose petals were dropped through the ciruclar opening of the transept of the church during the recessional hymn. Some are surprised while others wait expectantly for the rose petals to fall.

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