Introduction

Coventry Visit

Following a joy-filled meeting with the Polish Community in London, His Holiness boarded a helicopter to take him to Coventry Airport. On arrival the Pope was met by the newly installed Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Maurice Couve de Murville. A crowd of over 350, 000 people had gathered and the Holy Father drove through the crowd to receive greetings. During the Mass the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered. The Pope said during the homily: “Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit is going to be poured out upon you in a particular way. You will hear the words of the Church spoken over you, calling upon the Holy Spirit to confirm your faith, to seal you in his love, to strengthen you for his service. You will then take your place among fellow-Christians throughout the world, full citizens now of the People of God. You will witness to the truth of the Gospel in the name of Jesus Christ. You will live your lives in such a way as to make holy all human life. Together with all the confirmed, you will become living stones in the cathedral of peace. Indeed you will be called by God to be instruments of his peace.”

Audio

Part ONE: Pope John Paul II's Pentecost Homily at Coventry Airport in 1982

Pope John Paul II travelled by helicopter to Coventry Airport where he was driven through a crowd of more than 350,000. Arriving in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the Pope was welcomed on the Feast of Pentecost by the newly installed Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville. The Sacrament of Confirmation was to be administered at the Mass.
Homily

Holy Mass Of Pentecost homily of John Paul II, Solemnity of Pentecost, Coventry, 30 May 1982

My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, Peace be with you. On this great feast of Pentecost, I greet all of you who have come from so many parishes...Read more

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