A New Chapter of Grace: Recapping the Inauguration of the Pentecost Room
- Notre Dame of Jerusalem
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 12
By Samantha Rivera
June 11th, 2025 - Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
As we continue to celebrate the joy of Pentecost, I’m delighted to share a full recap of the inauguration of our new Pentecost Room—a momentous event we’ve awaited with prayerful hearts and great anticipation.
Stepping into Scripture
On June 7, we opened a space awash in color and movement—119 life-sized figures rendered in oil on canvas, drawing every guest straight into Acts chapters 1 and 2. Chilean artist Daniel Cariola has masterfully recreated the moment when the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, inviting us all to pause in silent reflection and experience the Spirit’s life-giving presence.
Nine Days of Preparation
From May 31 through June 7, the Pentecost Room hosted a nine-day novena to the Holy Spirit. Each evening—thanks to Regnum Christi and Magdala—Notre Dame Center staff and managers, local church movements, consecrated communities, lay families, and our diplomatic friends gathered to pray, sing, and refle#ct on Scripture. Our livestreams reached thousands viewers worldwide, a beautiful reminder of the universal Church sent forth at Pentecost.
Novena in English: Click here
Novena in Spanish: Click here
A Solemn Blessing
On the Eve of Pentecost (June 7), His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Liturgy of the Word and blessed the room. He was joined by Bishop Antonio Marcuzzo (Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Jerusalem), Father Francesco Patton, OFM (Custos of the Holy Land), our benefactors, the Legionaries of Christ, consecrated women of Regnum Christi, and many friends from our local community.
Unable to fit everyone in the room, the faithful also joined via livestream in Our Lady of Peace Chapel. After the blessing, we rejoiced together in the lobby, entered a vigil organized by the Union of Religious Sisters in the Holy Land, and concluded the evening with a Pentecost Vigil Mass.
Read His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa’s exhortation: Click here
Watch the Blessing: Click here
Watch the Christian Media Center recap video: Click here
Inauguration and Blessing Photos: View gallery
Prayer Vigil Photos: View gallery
Pentecost Morning: Life and Light
On Pentecost Sunday, June 8, Monsignor William Shomali, Vicar General of the Latin Patriarchate, celebrated Mass in Our Lady of Peace Chapel. A young boy received his First Communion—a poignant reminder that God’s love is for every generation. We also dedicated a new donor plaque on our Benefactors Wall to honor those who made this room possible. Afterwards, hundreds of pilgrims and visitors stepped into the painted scene—guided by our new audio tour (in English, Arabic, and Spanish)—and joined a joyful Pentecost feast that felt like one big family gathering.
Looking Ahead
Though the Pentecost Room remains open exclusively to in-house guests until September 1, we eagerly anticipate welcoming the wider public into this grace-filled space as part of the full Notre Dame Experience. The Pentecost Room awaits you with the living reality of the Spirit’s gifts.
We are deeply grateful to all those who made this possible, and for your prayers and unwavering support.
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