When and how does a catholic receive the Holy Ghost?

[TerryOfromCA]

**

I** know someone who asked this question:

When and how does a catholic receive the Holy Ghost?
At birth?
At confirmation?
because I was baptized catholic i want to know.

It seems like such a simple question yet the only answer I can think of is long and complicated, discussing grace, sacramental graces, what Baptism does, etc. etc. etc.

How would you guys boil down the answer to something simple?

Thank you in advance.

 

[1ke]

You are infused with sanctfying grace through the power of the Holy Spirit at baptism. You then receive strengthening through the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, which completes baptism.

 

[feed_me]

You are infused with sanctfying grace through the power of the Holy Spirit at baptism. You then receive strengthening through the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, which completes baptism.

That wasn’t my experience, I just asked God into my heart as Lord and Savior, and then I recieved the Holy Spirit a little while later, with the gifts that he wanted me to have.

 

[DavidFilmer]

That wasn’t my experience

If you are Baptized then this was exactly your experience, though you may not realize it.

I just asked God into my heart as Lord and Savior, and then I recieved the Holy Spirit a little while later, with the gifts that he wanted me to have.

That’s a very protestant idea (which, ironically, cannot be found anywhere in Scripture). But we can find this in Scripture:

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. [Acts 2:38-39]

 

[brb3]

Depends on ones circumstance. If an adult, … with Baptism & Confirmation.

Both Sacraments were given to the Catecumens in Apostolic Church, when they believed and desired rebirth. I was Baptised at young age, and didn’t know of / perceive the HS until later-age Confirmation. Confirmation ‘completed’ Baptism, in my case.

But, we have several cases in the Gospels where people were illuminated by HS before they received Baptism. Saul (Paul) & Cornelius his family/friends ].

Catholics baptized as infants, need Confirmation in HS when they come to age of accountability… desiring & giving free-will consent to receive the Paraclete.

 

[feed_me]

If you are Baptized then this was exactly your experience, though you may not realize it.

That’s a very protestant idea (which, ironically, cannot be found anywhere in Scripture). But we can find this in Scripture:

And that’s exactly how I got it. Not through the baby baptism. I know, I didn’t feel anything then. I sinned and felt nothing, no condamnation, no nothing. Once I did repented to God, and got the Holy Spirit. When I do sin. I feel it, and it’s a bad feeling, with a depressive mood that follows.

Edit: this was to your whole reply, not just the part in quotes.

 

[brb3]

That wasn’t my experience, I just asked God into my heart as Lord and Savior, and then I recieved the Holy Spirit a little while later, with the gifts that he wanted me to have.

Seems you had Baptism as infant, …then later, as Adult, made free-will choice to repent of personal sins, and Christ Confirmed you with HS ?

Having already been Baptised, there was no need to repeat. You only needed that baby Baptism ‘completed’ by illumination / confirmed in HS.

 

[feed_me]

Seems you had Baptism as infant, …then later, as Adult, made free-will choice to repent of personal sins, and Christ Confirmed you with HS ?

Having already been Baptised, there was no need to repeat. You only needed that baby Baptism ‘completed’ by illumination / confirmed in HS.

I didn’t recieve the HS at RCIA, or confermation (adult), but at an unexpected time, that God chose. Like they say the prodical son returns. Acts 2:38 was more of my experience then baby baptism.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Also, a repentant sinner (who, having been baptized, had lost the gift of God’s indwelling through mortal sin) can receive Him anew through the sacrament of Penance or by an act of perfect contrition.

 

[feed_me]

Also, a repentant sinner (who, having been baptized, had lost the gift of God’s indwelling through mortal sin) can receive Him anew through the sacrament of Penance or by an act of perfect contrition.

hmm… I guess that was all one then. but even with baby baptism isn’t one still suppose to feel sorrow for his sins Because I had no sorrow for doing evil?

Sorry to the OP for jacking the thread. I didn’t expect it would go this way.

 

[brb3]

I didn’t recieve the HS at RCIA, or confermation (adult), but at an unexpected time, that God chose. Like they say the prodical son returns. Acts 2:38 was more of my experience then baby baptism.

Send me a PM with more detail.
I too had an interesting UNORTHODOX confirmation experience…as a Protestant. Then much later, a Catholic Confirmation, when I became Catholic.

 

[jmcrae]

That wasn’t my experience, I just asked God into my heart as Lord and Savior, and then I recieved the Holy Spirit a little while later, with the gifts that he wanted me to have.

Receiving the Holy Spirit isn’t something you necessarily “experience.” You receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism and through Confirmation because the Sacramental signs do and are the things they signify. You don’t have to be aware of it at all for it to be a reality.

 

[feed_me]

Receiving the Holy Spirit isn’t something you necessarily “experience.” You receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism and through Confirmation because the Sacramental signs do and are the things they signify. You don’t have to be aware of it at all for it to be a reality.

Not really, if your eyes are watering out like pipe bursted and you can’t shut it off and your nose is self blowing and cleaning itself, yea that would be the experience of the Holy Spirit.

 

[jmcrae]

Not really, if your eyes are watering out like pipe bursted and you can’t shut it off and your nose is self blowing and cleaning itself, yea that would be the experience of the Holy Spirit.

Or a really serious allergic reaction to the incense …

Yes, I understand that people receive consolations from the Holy Spirit, and that you can’t predict when they will happen - I’ve received them myself, and yes! It’s a wonderful experience for sure.

But this does not mean that when you don’t have these experiences, the Holy Spirit is somehow absent. The most common experience is that He comes to us in the Sacraments without the consolations - and people who don’t receive consolations should not be made to feel that the Holy Spirit has overlooked them or forgotten about them - He is with them just as powerfully as He is with those who receive consolations. Perhaps even more so, since they rely on faith rather than on feelings.

 

[brb3]

Receiving the Holy Spirit isn’t something you necessarily “experience.” You receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism and through Confirmation because the Sacramental signs do and are the things they signify. You don’t have to be aware of it at all for it to be a reality.

Yes, but at some point in our lives we should become aware of the Paraclete within. I’m reading St. Gregory Pajamas on this, … his book TRIADS talks of the ‘inner light’ of Christ we receive daily, via HS. He explains the HS / enlightenment very well.

And, he describes as an indwelling, daily personal ‘experience’ with Christ …not an occasional reality.

 

[feed_me]

Or a really serious allergic reaction to the incense …

Yes, I understand that people receive consolations from the Holy Spirit, and that you can’t predict when they will happen - I’ve received them myself, and yes! It’s a wonderful experience for sure.

But this does not mean that when you don’t have these experiences, the Holy Spirit is somehow absent. The most common experience is that He comes to us in the Sacraments without the consolations - and people who don’t receive consolations should not be made to feel that the Holy Spirit has overlooked them or forgotten about them - He is with them just as powerfully as He is with those who receive consolations. Perhaps even more so, since they rely on faith rather than on feelings.

I would have to say otherwise as far a recieving the Holy Spirit, because when I recieved the HS I got loaded with spritual gifts not only that but the whole church was hot like the Spirit filled the room like he did in the old testiment temple, 1 that im using right here on this board. I can down scripture like Takeru Kobiyashi at a hotdog eating contast, and that is something that im greatful for. The others would make a persons jaw drop. With all the things that God has allowed me to see, yea even my draw drops sometime. But we all know what happens when a person gets an amazing gift from God. There will always be a demon that matches.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

even with baby baptism isn’t one still suppose to feel sorrow for his sins)

cf. Can a baby commit an actual sin?

 

[feed_me]

cf. Can a baby commit an actual sin?

I meant when he is older, and he can do wrong and take responsiblility for it.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

when I recieved the HS I got loaded with spritual gifts

Catholic theology distinguishes the indwelling of God (the Blessed Trinity, not just the Holy Ghost) in the soul from His gifts and fruits (though they are closely related), and especially from extraordinary / charismatic gifts which He does not give equally to all, and which He may give to anyone at any time, including persons without His indwelling or sanctifying grace (e.g. Caiphas prophesied about Christ’s atoning death.)

 

[DavidFilmer]

And that’s exactly how I got it. Not through the baby baptism. I know, I didn’t feel anything then. I sinned and felt nothing, no condamnation, no nothing. Once I did repented to God, and got the Holy Spirit.

You received the Holy Spirit at your Baptism. You felt its influence more strongly as you matured (which is what we are supposed to do). You believe this is when you first received the Spirit, but you received it many years prior, and the Spirit was working within you to prepare you for the moment that you decide to cooperate with it. This was an emotional experience for you, so it is easy to believe that something new had happened, but it is really your becoming aware of something that has been happening to you for a long time.