Different Roles of the Holy Spirit and of Mary

[LifeInSunshine]

Hello all!

So I am approaching Confirmation (yay!!) and I have been pondering lately:
What are the different roles and functions of the Holy Spirit and of Mary? What different things do they do for us? I know that Mary prays for us and leads us (if we ask her to) closer to the heart of Christ. I know also that the Holy Spirit gives us a sense of conviction. But my question is this: Do both Mary and the Holy Spirit lead us to pray to the Lord? What are the distinguishing roles between the two? I ask because it would be helpful when praying the Rosary and meditating of the Descent of the Holy Spirit to know this.

Thanks

 

[PAboy57]

Hi Lifein Sunshine,

You sure picked a big subject to ponder. It is a most worthy one though. I suggest you ask as a confirmation gift a copy of the catechism as it is most complete in teaching us about our faith. Here is what it says:

729 Only when the hour has arrived for his glorification does Jesus promise the coming of the Holy Spirit, since his Death and Resurrection will fulfill the promise made to the fathers.116 The Spirit of truth, the other Paraclete, will be given by the Father in answer to Jesus’ prayer; he will be sent by the Father in Jesus’ name; and Jesus will send him from the Father’s side, since he comes from the Father. The Holy Spirit will come and we shall know him; he will be with us for ever; he will remain with us. The Spirit will teach us everything, remind us of all that Christ said to us and bear witness to him. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth and will glorify Christ. He will prove the world wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment.

969 "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix."512

Simply put the Holy Spirit allows us to know God and helps us pray and learn the truth. Our Holy Mother continues to intercede for us with her Son. I pray most often to Mary so that I may know and do the will of her Son. Both bring us to Jesus and the Father.

Good luck and always ponder our Lord, Mother and Saints. God Bless you.

 

[RoyJr]

Hello all!

So I am approaching Confirmation (yay!!) and I have been pondering lately:
What are the different roles and functions of the Holy Spirit and of Mary? ** What different things do they do for us?** I know that Mary prays for us and leads us (if we ask her to) closer to the heart of Christ. I know also that the Holy Spirit gives us a sense of conviction. But my question is this: Do both Mary and the Holy Spirit lead us to pray to the Lord? What are the distinguishing roles between the two? I ask because it would be helpful when praying the Rosary and meditating of the Descent of the Holy Spirit to know this.

Thanks

I hope you’re not putting our Blessed Mother on par with The Holy Spirit.
“We believe in The Holy Spirit, The Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from The Father & The Son. WITH The Father & The Son He is worshipped and glorified.”

So, the main difference in “roles” between Our Lady & The Holy Spirit is that The Holy Spirit is God, Mother Mary is not.

Now that that is clear, ask yourself, why is the third decade of the Glorious mysteries so “mysterious”?(no pun) especially as you are preparing for Confirmation.

READ ACTS 1&2

What you will experience on the day of your Confirmation is a far cry from what the first Apostles experienced on the day of Pentacost. Why?

Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the “baptism of the Spirit” or the “promise of the Father” & told His Apostles that thev would “RECIEVE POWER” when the Holy Spirit would come upon them. Yet, so many “catholics” have never “recieved power” (not warm fuzzies, but real power) with the imposition of hands by the priest or bishop. Why?

Most “catholics” can only name the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Isaiah 11 & not those of 1 Corithians 12. Why?

The Church has made some changes since that first outpouring of the Spirit, some 300-800 years after the birthday of the church. A shame that so many “catholics” are still living without the same annoitning of the Spirit as the first disciples. A horrible shame.

 

[LifeInSunshine]

RoyJr, you should think carefully before speaking about the conditions of other Catholics’ hearts in their walk with Christ, as only Christ can know this. It is not for you to judge other Catholics as being lukewarm in their faith or ‘not as good of a Catholic as you’ or ‘not experiencing the Spirit as deeply’ or whatever.

 

[NeedImprovement]

I would think, @ LifeInSunshine : see 1st and 3rd joyful mysteries ] after sharing such an intimate joint-cooperation with the Blessed Virgin Mary in the formation of the sacred and human temple and character of the Son of God, the Holy Spirit would forever have much more in common with Her (Christ himself) …

 

[jonpd]

As a followup to LifeInSunshines post I suggest reading 1 Corinthians chapter 12, particularly verse 4 which talks about the variety of gifts that people receive but the same spirit.

 

[RoyJr]

RoyJr, you should think carefully before speaking about the conditions of other Catholics’ hearts in their walk with Christ, as only Christ can know this. It is not for you to judge other Catholics as being lukewarm in their faith or ‘not as good of a Catholic as you’ or ‘not experiencing the Spirit as deeply’ or whatever.

I never mentioned “catholic’s hearts” now did I. Nor was I attempting to “judge” anyone. If that is what you assumed, then you are mistaken. Here’s something you won’t hear at confirmation class:

DOCUMENTS OF THE II VATICAN COUNCIL
DECREE ON THE APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY
CHAPTER I
THE VOCATION OF THE LAITY TO THE APOSTOLATE
Section 2.
For the exercise of this apostolate, the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies the people of God through ministry and the sacraments gives the faithful special gifts also (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7), “allotting them to everyone according as He wills” (1 Cor. 12:11) in order that individuals, administering grace to others just as they have received it, may also be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), to build up the whole body in charity (cf. Eph. 4:16). **From the acceptance of these charisms, including those which are more elementary, there arise for each believer the right and duty to use them in the Church and in the world for the good of men and the building up of the Church, in the freedom of the Holy Spirit **who “breathes where He wills” (John 3:8). This should be done by the laity in communion with their brothers in Christ,

You & I have the “right and duty” to utilize these “special gifts” (1 Cor 12:1-7) given by the Holy Spirit & “use them in the Church and in the world” according to the fathers of the Second Vatican Council, you know, the TEACHING AUTHORITY of the Catholic Church, “or whatever”

 

[RoyJr]

As a followup to LifeInSunshines post I suggest reading 1 Corinthians chapter 12, particularly verse 4 which talks about the variety of gifts that people receive but the same spirit.

I agree.

 

[LifeInSunshine]

RoyJr, in regards to your post #7 on this thread:
I know that some people receive special gifts from the spirit. I was only asking for someone to clarify in a straight-forward manner what the precise differences in roles are for the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin. Talking in a rude or short manner is not necessary.

Thank you everyone for your scriptural reading suggestions- I appreciate it!