RCIA Resource – Session 26

The Holy Spirit — Lord and Giver of Life

RCIA – Session 26
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, not a force or feeling
  • the Holy Spirit is fully God
  • the Holy Spirit applies the saving work of Christ to the world
  • grace is the life of God given to the soul
  • the Catholic faith is lived by divine help, not human effort alone

This session answers:

How does God act within us and among us now?

1. A Note on Language: “Spirit” and “Ghost”

The Church uses both Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost.

They mean exactly the same thing.

The word ghost is an older English word meaning spirit or breath.
It does not mean something frightening or unreal.

You will still hear:

  • “Holy Ghost” in older prayers and catechisms
  • “Holy Spirit” more commonly today

Both refer to the same divine Person.

2. God Does Not Leave His Work Incomplete

Christ:

  • redeemed the world
  • rose from the dead
  • ascended into glory

But salvation must be:

  • applied
  • communicated
  • lived

God does not merely forgive from a distance.
He gives His own life.

This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

3. Who the Holy Spirit Is

The Holy Spirit is:

  • not a symbol
  • not an influence
  • not an emotion

He is:

the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and the Son.

He is:

  • eternal
  • personal
  • divine

The Holy Spirit is fully God.

Penny Catechism

Q. Who is the Holy Ghost?
A. The Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

(The Catechism uses the older English word Ghost, meaning Spirit.)

4. The Holy Spirit and the Trinity

The Holy Spirit:

  • proceeds from the Father and the Son
  • is the bond of love within the Trinity
  • is sent into the world by Christ

This does not mean:

the Holy Spirit is less than the Father or the Son

All three Persons are:

  • equal in divinity
  • distinct in Person

This mystery is not contradiction.
It is divine life revealed.

5. The Mission of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is sent:

  • to remain with the Church
  • to guide her into truth
  • to sanctify souls

Christ’s saving work is complete.
The Holy Spirit makes it present and effective.

The Holy Spirit:

  • enlightens the mind
  • strengthens the will
  • moves the heart toward God

6. Grace — The Life of God in the Soul

Grace is not:

  • encouragement
  • motivation
  • moral effort

Grace is:

a supernatural gift by which we share in the life of God.

Grace:

  • heals what sin has wounded
  • elevates human nature
  • enables supernatural acts

The Holy Spirit is the giver of grace.

7. Living by the Holy Spirit

To live by the Holy Spirit does not mean:

  • constant emotion
  • extraordinary experiences

It means:

  • faith sustained
  • hope strengthened
  • charity made possible

The Catholic life is not heroic self-effort.
It is cooperation with grace.

8. The Holy Spirit and Truth

The Holy Spirit:

  • guards the Church from error
  • preserves unity of faith
  • ensures continuity of teaching

Truth is not reinvented in each generation.
It is handed on and protected.

This prepares us to understand the Church.

9. Common Difficulties Addressed

“Why don’t I feel anything?”
Grace is real even when unfelt.

“Is the Holy Spirit only for special people?”
No — He is given to the whole Church.

“Does grace remove freedom?”
Grace heals freedom; it does not replace it.

10. What Is Being Asked of You Now

At this stage, you are asked to consider this:

If God offers His own life to dwell within us, am I willing to receive and cooperate with that gift?

That question leads directly to the Church.

11. Questions for the Week

Reflect quietly during the week:

  • Do I rely mainly on my own strength in faith?
  • How do I understand grace in daily life?
  • What does it mean to live by God’s help?

12. Closing Summary

The Holy Spirit is:

  • God
  • present
  • active

He applies the work of Christ to the world
and gives divine life to the soul.

Next week we will ask:

What is the Church — and why did Christ found her?

Optional Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.