Heavenly King, Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things; Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us. Cleanse us from all impurity and save our souls, O Good One.1998 was the Year of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is the Substantial Love which God the Father and God the Son have for one another.Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the Fire of Your Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.
The Spirit of the Lord is our Creator, along with the Father and Son. In Genesis we see the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the primeval waters (Genesis 1:2). The Spirit is our Sanctifier, who comes to us in Baptism, fills us with grace and causes us to partake in the life of Jesus Christ-in the very life of God! So the Holy Spirit is our Divinizer as well, by Whom we become partakers in the Divine Nature. Eastern Christians often refer to Him as the Divine and divinizing Spirit.
Every soul in a state of grace is indwelt by the Blessed Trinity. Thus the Holy Spirit is the sweet guest of our souls as well. Unfortunately, He is also often called "the forgotten member of the Godhead", for most Christians are more familiar with the Father and Jesus than with the Spirit!
This is a great pity; every Christian should cultivate a deep love for and devotion to the Holy Spirit of God!
The Secret of Sanctity.
Cardinal Mercier (died 1926) was once asked during a retreat what is the "secret of sanctity". He replied:
"If every day during five minutes you will keep your imagination quiet, shut your eyes to all the things of sense, and close your ears to all the sounds of earth, so as to be able to withdraw into the sanctuary of your baptized soul, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, speaking there to that Holy Spirit saying:External Links:O Holy Spirit, Soul of my soul, I adore You."If you do this, your life will pass happily and serenely. Consolation will about even in the midst of troubles. Grace will be given in proportion to the trial, as well as strength to bear it, bringing you to the Gates of Paradise full of merit.
Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me.
Show me what I ought to do and command me to do it.
I promise to be submissive to You in everything that you permit to happen to me.
Merely show me what is Your Will."This submission to the Holy Spirit is: the secret of sanctity."
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