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Who is the Holy Spirit?
The relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most profound mysteries in Christian theology, often described as a unique “union” or “espousal.”
To understand who the Holy Spirit is and how He relates to Mary, we can look at the following details:
Who is the Holy Spirit?
In Christian doctrine (specifically the Trinity), the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of God. He is not a “force” or an “it,” but a distinct Person who is “consubstantial” (of the same substance) with the Father and the Son.
- The Breath of God: The Hebrew word Ruah and the Greek Pneuma both mean “breath” or “wind.” He is the life-giving breath that hovered over the waters at creation.
- The Paraclete: Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Paracletos, which translates to Counselor, Comforter, or Advocate.
- The Bond of Love: St. Augustine described the Holy Spirit as the personal love shared between God the Father and God the Son.
The Relationship with St. Mary
The interaction between the Holy Spirit and Mary is the moment the “Word became flesh.” This relationship is defined by several key concepts:
1. The Annunciation
When Mary asked how she would conceive Jesus, the Angel Gabriel replied: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). This “overshadowing” mirrors the Shekinah cloud of glory that rested over the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, signifying God’s direct presence.
2. The “Spouse” of the Holy Spirit
While “spouse” is an analogy, many saints (such as St. Maximilian Kolbe) used this term to describe the permanent, fruitful union between the Spirit and Mary. Because Mary’s will was perfectly aligned with God’s, the Holy Spirit was able to work through her more perfectly than any other creature.
3. The Pentecost Connection
Mary was present in the Upper Room with the Apostles when the Holy Spirit descended as tongues of fire. Just as she was present at the birth of Jesus through the Spirit, she was present at the “birth” of the Church at Pentecost.
Roles of the Holy Spirit in Human Life
To understand the Holy Spirit in detail, it helps to look at His traditional “Gifts” and “Fruits” which help guide believers:
| The 7 Gifts | The 12 Fruits |
| Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. | Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, and Chastity. |
Summary
The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier—the one who makes us holy. In St. Mary, the Holy Spirit found a perfect “tabernacle.” For the rest of humanity, the Holy Spirit acts as a guide, providing the grace necessary to follow the teachings of Christ and live a life of virtue.