Holy Ghost versus Holy Spirit?

[KevinD]

I can’t resist adding the following story. I taught our oldest daughter how to make the sign of the cross when she was about three by saying ‘In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’ Sure enough she learned how to invoke the Trinity. The next night at bedtime she said, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost! Booooooo!” She moved her hands around as though trying to frighten me. I could barely keep from laughing.

I switched to saying ‘Holy Spirit’ after this. As someone else observed, the meanings of words do change over time.

Cheers,

 

[Ad_Deum]

It was changed after the Second Vatican Council to coincide with the reforms promulgated by the Bishops. I don’t have a problem using both in the liturgy or prayers, but I am against to anyone who denies both as a name for the third Person of the Holy Trinity.

Pax
Laudater Jesus Christus
Instaurare omnia in Christo
Come Holy Ghost fill the hearts of the faithful…

 

[ThuribleGuy45]

To make a generalization, I find it very puzzling that people who in any other context would strongly support a more rigorous and accurate translation of Latin into English (ex. - concerns with the Creed being translated as “We believe” instead of "I believe), when it comes to this issue, cling to “Ghost” when the Latin is clearly “Spiritus.”

 

[otjm]

To make a generalization, I find it very puzzling that people who in any other context would strongly support a more rigorous and accurate translation of Latin into English (ex. - concerns with the Creed being translated as “We believe” instead of "I believe), when it comes to this issue, cling to “Ghost” when the Latin is clearly “Spiritus.”

Well, some people who would do that are the same people who would support form over substance.

Which is not a reference to anyone who simply prefers Holy Ghost because that was what they were used to. It only refers to those with an agenda.

 

[Genesis315]

I am currently reading a 1920 English translation of a book by St. Alphonsus Liguori and the phrase “Holy Spirit” is always used. I just noticed that yesterday and I remembered this thread. So take that for what it’s worth

 

[drforjc]

To make a generalization, I find it very puzzling that people who in any other context would strongly support a more rigorous and accurate translation of Latin into English (ex. - concerns with the Creed being translated as “We believe” instead of "I believe), when it comes to this issue, cling to “Ghost” when the Latin is clearly “Spiritus.”

Apples and oranges.

Credo can only be correctly translated as “I believe” while Spiritus can be acceptably translated as either Ghost or Spirit. The fact that the English “spirit” sounds like Latin “Spiritus” is incidental. It doesn’t necessarily make it more accurate.

 

[SemperFidelis]

I think it only differs in translation (English), but both can be used.
Some protestant sects used the word “Holy Ghost” like the pentecostals or some southern baptists.

Pax
Laudater Jesus Christus
Instaurare omnia in Christo

I agree. As a former Southern Baptist, I use “Holy Ghost”, as do many Southern Baptists that I know. However I have heard some use “Holy Spirit” as well. The only time I really ever say “Holy Spirit” is in reference to the name of the Parish I go to. It doesn’t really matter either way. People use one or the other primarily out of habit, than for any other reason.

 

[I_Believe]

I use both about equally. And actually some prayers use both. The Litany of the Holy Ghost uses both.

 

[MMLJ]

It would be very interesting to p(name removed by moderator)oint when this change occured. It had to be a deliberate one, since ALMOST EVERYTHING pre-Vatican II had Holy Ghost, and now VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING has Holy Spirit. Now, for such a change to take place there had to be an agenda in action, because of the law of inertia. I tend to think that it was probably promulgated by those who wished to align God with the “spirit” of Vatican II, in an effort to give legitimacy to many of the changes, meaning that the term “spirit of Vatican II” came first. If the spirit of Vatican II demanded the priest to turn around, but the people are unnerved by this new innovation, appeal to their loyalty to God, by playing on the word “spirit”. Today the term Holy Ghost, more often than not, serves as a flag indicating that one holds to traditional Catholicism.

Yes I agree it is Holy Ghost.

 

[MMLJ]

I’d still put my money on it being the result of changing from the Douay-Rheims to the NAB in the Liturgy.

And probably the other 1000’s of New translations. It would be best if everyone just used the Latin Vulgate translated by St. Jerome.