Finding of the Holy Cross

In the liturgy, the Holy Spirit is teacher of the faith and artisan of the sacraments, drawing the People of God into the life of the risen Christ. He prepares the Church to encounter the Lord, makes Christ’s mystery present in the celebration, and unites the Church to Christ’s life and mission. The Church’s liturgy also retains essential elements of the Old Covenant, revealing how events and signs of salvation history find their fulfillment in Christ—for example, the crossing of the Red Sea prefigures salvation by Baptism. Especially in Advent, Lent, and the Easter Vigil, the Church re-reads and re-lives these saving events in the liturgy. As we take part, we are invited to prepare our hearts in faith, conversion, and openness to the Father’s will, ready to receive the grace God gives.

In the liturgical life of the Church, the Holy Spirit works with the Church to manifest Christ and his saving work, especially in the Eucharist and, by analogy, in the other sacraments. The Spirit prepares the Church to encounter the Lord, recalls and makes Christ known to the faith of the assembly, and makes the mystery of Christ present here and now. As the Word of God is proclaimed, the Spirit gives it life and grants spiritual understanding according to the dispositions of those who hear or read it. Through the words, actions, and symbols of the celebration, the Spirit draws the faithful and ministers into a living relationship with Christ. The liturgy remembers God’s saving works, and the Spirit awakens this memory in the Church, inspiring thanksgiving and praise. This is a beautiful reminder for our families to approach the liturgy with open hearts, ready to hear God’s Word and give thanks for his saving love.

In the Christian liturgy, the Paschal mystery of Christ is celebrated and made present through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. At the heart of the sacramental celebrations, especially the Eucharist, the epiclesis invokes the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that the offerings may become the Body and Blood of Christ and the faithful may become a living offering to God. The Spirit brings us into communion with Christ, forms us as his Body, and bears the fruits of communion with the Holy Trinity and with one another. As we pray and participate together, the Church asks that the Spirit transform our lives into the image of Christ, strengthen her unity, and lead us to witness and serve through charity. In the liturgy, we also anticipate the fullness of communion with the Holy Trinity and take part, even now, in the mystery of salvation.