April is Dedicated to the Holy Ghost

The month of April is dedicated to the Holy Spirit (or Ghost)!

The Holy Ghost is a significant yet enigmatic figure in Catholicism, many times in scripture appearing suddenly and then disappearing just as quickly, and with an intangible and abstract nature, like a dove or a flame, that can be challenging to understand, making the Holy Ghost seem unapproachable. Contrast this to God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, who appear throughout the Bible as human (Jesus, of course, actually being both man and God at the same time, so naturally, he would appear as human).

Many Catholics can also fall into the mistake of thinking about the Holy Ghost more as a "what" rather than a "who". The Holy Ghost is just as much a person as the the other two persons of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Here's how the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Holy Ghost:
"Holy Spirit" is the proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children.

The term "Spirit" translates the Hebrew word ruah, which, in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind. Jesus indeed uses the sensory image of the wind to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of him who is personally God's breath, the divine Spirit. On the other hand, "Spirit" and "Holy" are divine attributes common to the three divine persons. By joining the two terms, Scripture, liturgy, and theological language designate the inexpressible person of the Holy Spirit, without any possible equivocation with other uses of the terms "spirit" and "holy." 691

The catechism also states:

The One whom the Father has sent into our hearts, the Spirit of his Son, is truly God. Consubstantial with the Father and the Son, the Spirit is inseparable from them, in both the inner life of the Trinity and his gift of love for the world. In adoring the Holy Trinity, life-giving, consubstantial, and indivisible, the Church's faith also professes the distinction of persons. When the Father sends his Word, he always sends his Breath. In their joint mission, the Son and the Holy Spirit are distinct but inseparable. To be sure, it is Christ who is seen, the visible image of the invisible God, but it is the Spirit who reveals him. 689

In his book "On the Trinity," Saint Augustine described the Holy Ghost as the love that exists between God the Father and God the Son. He also emphasized the Holy Ghost's role in inspiring and guiding believers in their daily lives.

Saint Teresa of Avila also wrote about the Holy Ghost in her book "The Interior Castle," where she described the Holy Ghost as the guide who leads believers deeper into their spiritual lives. Teresa emphasized the importance of surrendering to the Holy Spirit's guidance and trusting in His wisdom.

The Holy Ghost is a necessary part of any Catholic wishing to advance in the Faith and achieve the sanctification need to enter into everlasting life. He is called the Sanctifier, the Comforter and the Giver of graces. The Holy Ghost leads people to the Father and the Son. Not only that, but He guards the deposit of faith with the Church and prevents it from teaching errors and ensures the infallibility of the Pope when he defines dogmas pertaining to faith and morals. There are many other "roles: the Holy Ghost plays in the Church and amongst the faithful, but this blog would become much too long if I attempted to list them all.

With that said, let us give the proper reverence to the Holy Ghost not just during April, but every month of the year! He is instrumental if forming and strengthening our faith, consoling us during difficult times and gifting us with His endless graces, which we do not deserve. PAX+

Below you'll find prayers that you may use during the month of April to honor the Holy Ghost.

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~ APRIL DEVOTIONS ~
THE HOLY GHOST

Ant. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray

O God, Who did instruct the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolations, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

In Latin

Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuórum corda fidélium et tui amóris in eis ignem accénde. Emítte Spíritum tuum, et creabúntur. Et renovábis fáciem terræ.

Orémus

Deus, qui corda fidélium Sancti Spíritus illustratióne docuísti, da nobis in eódem Spíritu recta sápere, et de eius semper consolatióne gaudére, per Christum, Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

~ Consecration to the Holy Spirit ~

Holy Spirit, Divine Spirit of light and the love I consecrate to you my understanding, heart, and will, my whole being, for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always submissive to your heavenly inspirations and to the teaching of the Catholic Church, of which you are the infallible Guide. May my heart be ever inflamed with the love of God and of my neighbor. May my will be ever conformed to the Divine Will. May my whole life be faithful to the imitation of the life and virtues of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and You be honor and glory forever.
Ind. 300 days

 ~ Veni, Creator Spiritus ~
Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest

In Latin