LESSON 15: THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE LORD THE GIVER OF LIFE

After the Ascension of Jesus into heave, He and God the Father sent the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit filled their souls with the Holy Trinity. He gave them Sanctifying Grace and Actual Graces for their own personal sanctification, and Charismatic Graces for the benefit of others.

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God and the third Person of the Holy Trinity.
He is the mutual Love of the Father and the Son.
He is equal to the Father and the Son. We worship Him.

2.From whom does the Holy Spirit proceed?
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. “Then he showed me the river of the water of life (the Holy Spirit), bring as a crystal, flowing from the throne of God (the Father) and of the Lamb (the Son).” (Revelation 22:1)

3. What does the Holy Spirit do for the salvation of mankind?
The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church as its soul – its source of life.
He sanctifies souls through the gift of Grace.

4. What is Grace?
Grace is a supernatural gift of God. It was merited by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is given to us for our salvation and the salvation of other.

5.What are the three major types of Grace?
Two kinds of Grace are given for our own sanctification and salvation; and one is given for the salvation of others.

Sanctifying Grace and Actual Grace are given for our own salvation and sanctification.

Charismatic Graces are given not directly for our own salvation, but he salvation of others. For instance, St. Peter was given the charismatic grace to preach. Thus, on the day of Pentecost 3000 people were baptized because of his preaching. “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirt for the common good.” (Corinthians 12: 7) Some of these gifts are extraordinary, such as that given to ST Peter. Others are very simple and widely diffused, such as the gift of being able to talk about our faith to others, or to communicate joy or peace.

6. What is Sanctifying Grace?
Sanctifying Grace is the life of Jesus in our souls. IT makes the soul holy and pleasing to God.

When we have Sanctifying Grace in our souls, the Holy Trinity lives in us, and we live in Him. When the Holy Trinity is in our souls, He is loving us. HE enjoys dwelling in us.

When a person has Sanctifying Grace he also has the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love; the infused moral virtues; and the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (See future Lesson)

7. When did we first receive Sanctifying Grace?
We received Sanctifying Grace at Baptism.
Jesus gave us Sanctifying Grace through the priest.

8. If we die with Sanctifying Grace in our souls where will we go?
If we die with Sanctifying Grace in our souls we will go to heaven.
We may have to pass through purgatory first, but we will eventually go to heaven for all eternity. Heaven is a place of unimaginable joy, love, and peace. It will last for all eternity.

9. Is it possible to lose Sanctifying Grace?
Yes, it is possible to lose Sanctifying Grace by committing a mortal sin.

10.Where do we go if we die in the state of mortal sin?
If we commit mortal sin we do not have Sanctifying Grace in our soul. If one dies in that state he will go to hell for all eternity.Hell is a terrible place. Those who go to hell suffer great pain, they are constantly sinning and hating God, themselves, and others. They can never be happy.

11.What needs to be present to commit a mortal sin?
For a mortal sin to be committed, the sin must be gig, it must be done with complete awareness that the sin is big’ and it must be done with full consent of the will. You cannot commit a mortal sin accidentally.

Missing Mass on Sunday when you are able to go is an example of a mortal sin.

12. If we commit a mortal sin, can we be forgiven?
Yes, if we commit a mortal sin, we can be forgiven, and receive Sanctifying Grace again. Jesus forgives us in the Sacrament of Confession if we are sorry for our sins.

13. Is it possible to be forgiven or moral sin before going to Confession?
Yes, it is possible to be forgiven of mortal sin before going to Confession
-If we are sorry for our sins because they offend God, whom we love above all things.
-If we firmly propose not to sin again.
-And if we have the desire to Confess our mortal sins as soon as possible.

If we have these three things, we are forgiven of our sins, and we are already in the state of Sanctifying Grace. This Contrition is called Perfect Contrition. Nonetheless we should still confess our mortal sins before going to Communion.

If we are sorry for our sins because we fear God’s punishment, we are not forgiven before going to Confession. Nonetheless that sorrow is sufficient to be forgiven in Confession. This Contrition is called Imperfect Contrition.

14. What is actual grace?
Actual Grace is supernatural help from the Holy Spirit which enlightens our mind and strengthens our will to do good and avoid evil. While Sanctifying Gtace remains with us as a permanent transformation f our soul, unless we lose it by mortal sin; Actual Grace is transitory, preceding and accompanying good actions and inspirations. The Actual Grace is then gone.

15. What are the principal ways of obtaining and growing in Grace?

The principle ways of obtaining Grace are:

The Sacraments, especially the Eucharist;
Prayer; and
Doing the ordinary actions of or day with love, while we are in the state of Sanctifying Grace.

16. How do we merit an increase in Sanctifying Grace and spiritually help others?
If we have Sanctifying Grace our action, performed with love, merit an increase in Sanctifying Grace. Those actions can help souls in purgatory and other people in the world to draw closer to God and to be sorry for their sins.

If we do not have Sanctifying Grace, our actions are not pleasing to God. They do not merit an increase in Sanctifying Grace, and cannot spiritually help others.

Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me (by means of Sanctifying Grace), and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, (merits an increase in Sanctifying Grace and spiritually helps others) apart from Me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers’ and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15: 5-6)

If we have Sanctifying Grace in our souls:

When we study for the love of God, even when we don’t feel like it, we merit an increase of Sanctifying Grace and can spiritually help others.
When we are obedient to our parents for the love of God, even when we don’t feel like it, we merit an increase in Sanctifying Grace and spiritually help others
When we share with others for the love of God, we merit an increase in Sanctifying Grace and spiritually help others.

17. What Sacrament gives us the greatest increase in Sanctifying Grace and Love?
Holy Communion gives us the greatest increase in Sanctifying Grace
Holy Communion is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Chrsist.
Holy Communion is Jesus who is loving us.

St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1381)

St Catherine gave her life totally to Jesus at a very early age. Once she prayed a great deal for a woman who was dying and who was not sorry for her sins. This woman was in the state of mortal sin and was in great danger of going to hell for all eternity. She treated Catherine very poorly. In return Catherine treated her very kindly. Catherine prayed very much and made many sacrifices for the woman. Because of Catherine’s prayers and sacrifices the woman finally asked Jesus for forgiveness and went to confession. Jesus showed St Catherine a vision of this woman’s soul after she came to receive Sanctifying Grace. Catherine said the beauty of this soul in the state of Sanctifying Grace was so great, that she appeared to be almost a “god.” Everyone in the state of Sanctifying Grace has a beauty that we cannot even imagine. We are not a “god”, but we are filled with God when we possess Sanctifying Grace, and He makes us beautiful.

St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)

When Therese was 3 years old she had a dream. She dreamed that the devil was looking at her through a window. When she looked at him, he was filled with fear, and ran away. Because of her baptism St. Therese had Sanctifying Grace in her soul. The Holy Trinity dwelled in her soul. Even though she was only 3 years old, the devil was afraid of her. He was afraid of her because God dwelled in her soul. St. John wrote, “He who is within you (the Holy Trinity) is more powerful than he who is within the world (the devil).” (1 John 4:4)