Who is the Holy Spirit?
The short answer
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity — fully God, equal to the Father and the Son. He is not a force or feeling but a divine Person who gives life, makes us holy, guides the Church, and lives within every baptized Christian.
A Person, not a power
The Nicene Creed calls him "the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified." Jesus speaks of him as "another Advocate" who will "another Advocate" (John 14:16, 26) — personal actions of a personal God (CCC 685).
Names and images
- Advocate or Paraclete — one called alongside to help.
- Spirit of truth.
- Images: water (new birth), fire (Pentecost), wind and breath, the dove at Jesus' baptism, anointing oil (CCC 694-701).
What the Spirit does
- Inspired the prophets and Scripture — "who has spoken through the prophets."
- Overshadowed Mary at the Incarnation.
- Descended at Pentecost and gave birth to the Church (Acts 2).
- Makes us children of God in Baptism and strengthens us in Confirmation.
- Prays within us when we do not know how to pray (Romans 8:26).
- Produces fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience… (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Guides the Church into all truth.
Knowing the Holy Spirit
"The Church… is the place where we know the Holy Spirit" — in Scripture, Tradition, the sacraments, prayer, the charisms and the witness of the saints (CCC 688). A simple way to begin: pray each morning, "Come, Holy Spirit."