Symbols Used To Represent The Holy Spirit

There are many symbols used to represent the Holy Spirit.

Water - Water is the symbol for Baptism.

Anointing - Anointing with oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. They are like one of the same.

Fire - Fire represents the Holy Spirit's actions and energy. While water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions.

Cloud and light - These combined pictures are seen as the Holy Spirit.

The seal is a symbol close to that of anointing - "The Father has set his seal" on Christ and also seals us in Him.

The hand - By using His hand Jesus blessed and healed children. Apostles imitate Him by doing the same in Jesus's name.

The finger - The Holy Spirit is like God's Finger.

The dove - When Christ comes up from the water of his baptism, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon him and remains with him. The Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the baptized.

Wind – On the day of Pentecost the disciples and Our Blessed Mother were gathered in the upper room. Suddenly there was a sound from heaven, a rushing mighty wind and then tongues of fire descended on each one of them.

The Holy Spirit and The Sacraments

Baptism gives us a new birth as a child of God. The Holy Spirit comes to us in a very special way in the Sacrament of Confirmation. We receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father and the Son.

Confirmation gives us a special strength and unites us more perfectly with the Church. The strength we get helps us to live in the world as a witness of Jesus living in us and working through us to help others.

The Holy Spirit helps us to bring Jesus, His perfect example, way of life and His Church to others.

We must remember to ask for this grace in prayer often. The Holy Spirit lives in our soul. He makes us holy by giving us sanctifying grace, giving us the virtues of faith, hope and love.

The virtue of faith helps us to believe God’s word and know that He loves and cares about us. Faith helps us to know that we can trust God.

Hope is the virtue that helps us believe and know that Jesus promised us His love and to take care of us forever. He will never leave us alone, but we have to stay united to Him.

The virtue of love helps us to love God and people. When the Holy Spirit is in us we are able to love each other with the love of God, even people we don’t like if we want to.

The Holy Spirit gives us grace that helps us for our mind and will to do good. We are given the strength to do good and avoid evil.

The Holy Spirit unites us to God by love and helps us to maintain our friendship with Him through prayer and makes our prayers more pleasing to God.

The Holy Spirit in The Church

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to remain with the Church forever. The Church was made known to everyone and the Gospel began to spread throughout the nations.

The Holy Spirit makes the Church grow and is able to carry on the work of salvation given to it by Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit guides the Pope, bishops and priests in their work of teaching Jesus Christ’s doctrine, guiding souls and giving God’s grace to the people through the Sacraments.

The Holy Spirit guides the work of the Church, the care of the sick, the teaching of children, guiding youth, comforting the sorrowful and helping those in need.

We, the people of God are guided by the Holy Spirit to know the truth. He brings us together in love and worship.

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the Apostles

The Apostles were gathered in the upper room on Easter Sunday, the day Jesus rose. Jesus entered and stood before them. He said to them, “Peace be with you” He showed them His hands and side. The Apostles were filled with joy!

“Peace be with you. As the Father sent Me so I send you.” He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit, if you forgive men’s sins, they are forgiven, if you retain them, they are retained.”

The gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be seen. It flows from Jesus, our Risen Lord. It is God’s love. The Holy Spirit takes away sin and gives us His peace because He helps us to return to God after we have offended Him.

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the Apostles before giving them the power to forgive sins. The Holy Spirit unites us with God by his love through His grace. This is the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Holy Spirit Was Sent To The Church

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven He told them “You will be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. Do not leave Jerusalem, wait for the gift My Father promised that I told you about. John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

On Pentecost, all the believers were gathered in the upper room. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky, a strong wind that filled the entire room. They saw what looked like tongues of fire spreading out and one tongue descended on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Peter along with the other Apostles preached boldly. Peter told them to turn away from their sins and be baptized. Those who accepted the message were baptized, more than three thousand people became members of the Church that day.

The Holy Spirit carries out the work of Jesus Christ on earth, the salvation of all people. He spreads the Church throughout the world among people who are willing to love God and one another.