The Eighth Article

"I believe in the Holy Ghost"

COMPENDIUM

This article teaches us that the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, is God, eternal, infinite, omnipotent, Creator and Lord of all things, like the Father and the Son.

The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of will and love, as from one and the same source; and all three Divine Persons are, nevertheless, eternal, because the Father has begotten the Son from all eternity, and, likewise, the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son is from all eternity.

The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity is specially called the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, because His procession from the Father and the Son is by means of breathing and of love.

To the Holy Ghost the work of sanctification is specially attributed, although all three Persons equally concur in this work; but the special attribution to the Holy Ghost is because it is the work of love, and such works are specially ascribed to the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, i.e., fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and ten days after His Ascension. During these ten days, the Apostles were gathered together along with the Virgin Mary and other Disciples in the Cenacle (Supper Room), and continued in prayer, waiting for the Holy Ghost who had been promised by Jesus Christ.

On His descent, the Holy Ghost confirmed the Apostles in the Faith, filled them with enlightenment, strength and charity, and with an abundance of all His gifts. Nor was He sent down on the Apostles only, but on all the Church, and on every soul of the faithful, and, as the soul gives life to the body, so does the Holy Ghost vivify the Church with His grace and gifts, establishing in her the Kingdom of Truth and Love, and helping her to give sure guidance to her children on the road to heaven.

CATECHISM

131. What are we taught in the Eighth Article: I believe in the Holy Ghost?

The Eighth Article of the Creed teaches us that there is a Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity; and that, like the Father and the Son, He is God eternal, infinite, omnipotent, Creator and Lord of all things.

132. From whom does the Holy Ghost proceed?

The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son, as from one Principle, by way of will and love.

133. If the Son proceeds from the Father, and the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son, it would seem as if the Father and the Son are prior to the Holy Ghost. How then can it be said that all the Three Persons are eternal?

It is said that all the Three Persons are eternal, because the Father has begotten the Son from all eternity, and the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and from the Son from all eternity.

134. Why is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity specially designated by the name of the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit?

The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity is specially designated by the name of the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit, because He proceeds from the Father and from the Son by way of spiration and of love.

135. What work is especially attributed to the Holy Ghost?

To the Holy Ghost is specially attributed the sanctification of souls.

136. Do the Father and the Son sanctify us equally with the Holy Ghost?

Yes, all the Three Divine Persons equally sanctify us.

137. If this is so, why is the sanctification of souls specially attributed to the Holy Ghost?

The sanctification of souls is specially attributed to the Holy Ghost, because it is a work of love, and the works of love are attributed to the Holy Ghost.

138. When did the Holy Ghost descend on the Apostles?

The Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, that is, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and ten days after His Ascension.

139. Where were the Apostles during the ten days preceding Pentecost?

The Apostles were gathered together in the Cenacle (Supper Room) with the Virgin Mary and the other Disciples, and were persevering in prayer in expectation of the Holy Ghost, Whom Jesus Christ had promised to send them.

140. What effects did the Holy Ghost produce in the Apostles?

The Holy Ghost confirmed the Apostles in the faith, filled them with light, strength, charity, and an abundance of all His gifts.

141. Was the Holy Ghost sent for the Apostles alone?

The Holy Ghost was sent for the whole Church and for every faithful soul.

142. What does the Holy Ghost do in the Church?

The Holy Ghost gives life to the Church by His grace and by His gifts, as the soul gives life to the body; He establishes in her the Kingdom of Truth and of Love; and He helps her to lead her children in safety along the way to heaven.