On what occasion was the Holy Spirit given to the Church?

Answer 1

The Holy Spirit was initially given to the Church on the feast of Pentecost which the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles:

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

"When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that He might continually sanctify the Church>" (Lumen Gentium 4; cf. John 17:4)

Answer 2

A:Acts 2:1-4 tells of the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles on the day of Pentecost: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

This should be read with caution, since the dramatic sound of rushing wind and the cloven tongues of fire seem more intended to impress the reader than actually necessary to provide divine inspiration to the disciples, and could therefore be judged by some as fictional. Biblical scholarship is tending to take a more sceptical view of Acts of the Apostles than was once the case, and Hans Joachim Schoeps writes that Acts of the Apostles has been believed much too readily.

Answer 3

In the New Testament book of Acts, chapter 2 it tells about the Holy Spirit coming as the disciples were gathered for Pentecost.

Answer 4

Pentecost

Answer 5

Pentecost