7 June 2012: Who is the Holy Spirit?

God himself. The third Person of the Blessed Trinity; sent to each of us by the Father and the Son. Their greatest gift; he remains always with us, abides in us. St Paul gives the clearest description of the work of the Holy Spirit whose fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (cf Gal 5:22-3) These qualities are ideal in every walk of life and in all circumstances: at home, with your teachers and friends; in the factory or at the university; with all people you meet. The Prophet Isaiah also attributed special gifts to the Holy Spirit: “a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of might, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Is 11:2). St Paul is right in saying: “If we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit.” (cf Gal 5:25) Gifts and qualities such as these make us equal to any task and capable of overcoming any difficulties. Yet our lives remain our own, and the Spirit acts on each of us differently; in harmony with our individual personality and characteristics which we have inherited from our parents and from upbringing received in our homes. Because he is so near to us, yet so unobtrusive, we should turn to the Holy Spirit instinctively in all our needs and ask him for his guidance and help. The Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. What more could be done for us? What more can we expect of God than that? Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, pp214-5 The Sign of the Cross This is the ritual gesture used principally at Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist reflecting the conjunction of the paschal mystery invoking the Trinity. As early as the third century, Tertullian (ca 230) attests to tracing of the sign of the cross on the forehead as a personal gesture of piety to sanctify the deeds of daily life. From their earliest development, initiation rites attest to tracing of the sign of the cross on the forehead. At present, this form is used in the rites of becoming a catechumen and of welcome of children to be initiated. It developed as a Mass gesture later, in the form of placing the right hand on forehead, breast, then both shoulders, to accompany the celebrant’s speaking the formula invoking the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is now used in two places in the ‘Order of the Mass’: before the greeting after the entrance procession and at the end of the liturgy to accompany the final blessing. This form is customarily used when one begins or ends prayers of personal devotion. Ref: “Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p889 The Sign of the Cross reminds us of the Holy Trinity ‘In the name of the Father, ...’ In saying these words when we make the sign of the cross, add, mentally, ‘who created me in his image, and for heaven’. These words are a meditation in themselves: ‘who created me’, out of nothing, by his almighty power. Still more by his love in electing me instead of so many others who would have served him better. ‘In his image’ -- how beautiful and precious, then, must my soul be in the sight of the angels? The living portrait of God, and like another God upon earth -- ‘I have said, you are gods.’ And for heaven-- to be happy there forever, body and soul, full of glory and wonderful joy. Such are some of the thoughts which may occupy our mind when, in making the sign of the cross, we add the words, ‘Who created me in his image for heaven’. These thoughts will excite suitable affections. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p313 The Sign of the Cross reminds us of the Holy Trinity ‘... and of the Son, ...’ Similarly, add to these words, ‘who has redeemed me by his blood, with so much love’. Redeemed from the slavery of the devil, from eternal damnation to which sin had subjected me, and from which only the Son of God could deliver me. ‘Who has redeemed me’, not with silver or gold, but with ‘his blood, with every drop of his blood’. ‘And with so much love’: purest and most disinterested love possible, since being the Infinite God, he had nothing to gain by loving me. We can easily draw practical conclusions from such thoughts. Being redeemed by the Son of God, we belong to him, no longer to ourselves. Therefore, we must live for him; and glorify by holiness of our life and ardor of our zeal, other souls redeemed by him. Having died for us, our confidence must be great that he will refuse us nothing. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp313-4 The Sign of the Cross reminds us of the Holy Trinity ‘... and of the Holy Spirit’. Again, add -- ‘who has sanctified me, and adopted me as the child of God’. ‘Sanctified’ by his mysterious operations in the Sacraments, particularly in Baptism and Confirmation; by his divine inspirations and graces, especially by the grace of my vocation. ‘And adopted as the child of God’: in the fullest sense and with all privileges of a true adoption. These thoughts will remind us of the solemn obligations of our Baptism, Confirmation, and vocation. They will make us docile and obedient to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, and true children of God. We may thus derive great benefit from making the sign of the cross this way: In the name of the Father, ‘who has created me in his image and for heaven’; and of the Son, ‘who has redeemed me with his blood and with so much love’; and of the Holy Spirit, ‘who has sanctified me and adopted me as the child of God’. I desire to begin and end this day, this action, etc. with the Sign of the Cross. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp314-5 Our Lady -- “Our Lady of sorrows. When you contemplate her, look into her heart: she is a mother with two sons, face to face: him ... and you.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 506) • Our Lady of Marienthal (Germany, 13th Century). (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of the Valley or Marienthal (Germany). (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of the Valley of the Cistercian Order. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady, Queen of Apostles. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p630)