Why do we have a public holiday Monday exactly 50 days after Easter? Between the Holy Spirit, the gathering of the apostles and the mystery of the tongues of fire, this day hides a fascinating story dating back 2,000 years.
A few weeks after the Ascension, Pentecost enters the calendar. For many families, this event is above all synonymous with a long long weekend thanks to the traditional Pentecost Monday. But beyond this welcome day of rest, what do we really celebrate in France? A look back at the history, symbols and meaning of this great Christian festival.
When is Pentecost?
The date of Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, more precisely the seventh Sunday after Easter. This year, the feast of Pentecost takes place on Sunday May 24, 2026, followed by Pentecost Monday, which therefore takes place on May 25.
Is Pentecost Monday a public holiday?
Pentecost is a legal holiday, but not a non-working day for everyone. On the other hand, certain companies can grant Pentecost Monday to their employees. As for the students, they do not have school on Pentecost Monday. The Ministry of National Education and Youth reminds on its website that “Pentecost Monday is a day without school called ‘solidarity’“.
What is the meaning of Pentecost?
The term Pentecost comes from the Greek pentekostêwhich means “fiftieth day”.
What is the origin of Pentecost?
The meaning of Pentecost is found in the account of the Acts of the Apostles. Indeed, for the faithful, Pentecost is a very important Christian festival, which celebrates fifty days after Easter. the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles and to Marythe mother of Jesus. According to the website of the Catholic Church in France, this day also marks the birth of the Church and the first Christian communities.
What is the story of Pentecost?
If we look at the story of Pentecostit is said that on the fiftieth day after Easter, practitioners gathered with the Apostles and Mary and that a strange noise, similar to a rushing wind, had been perceived. This was the first sign of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The second would be placed on the entire crowd present: “a kind of fire that is divided into tongues”. The wind and fire represented the Holy Spirit, and the third sign would have revealed it, because those present “began to speak in other tongues.. Before this episode, a few days earlier, at the time of the Ascension, Christ made a promise to the Apostles: “you will receive power from the Holy Spirit who will come upon you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” can we read in the Bible (Acts 1-8). After which, the Apostles began to speak of the resurrection of Christ and to make his teaching known to the faithful.
- What do we celebrate at Pentecost? Catholic Church in France. : https://eglise.catholique.fr/deeper-sa-foi/la-celebration-de-la-foi/les-grandes-fetes-chretiennes/la-pentecote/372580-fete-pentecote/
- Public holidays and bridges. Ministry of Labor (May 5, 2023). : https://code.travail.gouv.fr/fiche-ministere-travail/les-jours-feries-et-les-ponts?q=lundi%20de%20pentec%C3%B4te
- School calendar. Ministry of National Education and Youth. : https://www.education.gouv.fr/calendrier-scolaire-100148#:~:text=Calendrier%20scolaire%202025%2D2026&text=apr%C3%A8s%20l es%20cours.-,The%20Monday%20of%20Pentec%C3%B4te%20is%20un%20day%20without%20%C3%A9school%20says,the%20Saturday%2016%20May%202026.
