An Explanation of the Ceremonies and
of the Wonderful Effects of the
Sacrament of Confirmation
By
A Sister of Charity of Providence
DIVINE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Since we are trying to know more about the Holy Ghost in order to love Him better, let us see in what ways He is like Jesus.
1. He is gentle like Jesus,—He never forces us to do anything, but urges us ever so gently.
2. He is patient like Jesus,—He knows how weak and forgetful we are, and therefore He calls us again and again to obey Him. He never wearies of trying to call us back to Him, when we have strayed from His love.
3. He is sensitive like Jesus,—He grieves to be left alone and forgotten. How many people never think of His presence in their hearts, never speak to Him or tell Him of their love, never thank Him, nor ask His help! How many too, insult Him, slight Him, and offend Him! Let us. His own dear children, do all that we can to console Him for this neglect. Let us often tell Him of our love, and thank Him for His gifts, and for remaining with us as our Guest. Above all, let us never grieve Him by the least deliberate venial sin.
4. He is generous like Jesus,—how many graces He gives us, how many mere He v/ould give us, if we would only let Him. But we are afraid to do too much, afraid to forget ourselves, to deny ourselves; so we refuse many of the gifts of grace which He would give us so gladly, if we were only more generous too, and more unselfish.
5. He is humble like Jesus,—we know that this was Jesus’ favorite virtue. The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts is hidden. Humble people please Him most, for they realize that they are too weak to practise virtue by themselves, and they therefore always ask for His help.
6. He is a lover of children as Jesus is. It is truth and sincerity and open-heartedness that make children so dear to Him, for He is the Spirit of Truth. Let us then try to be as we were when very small, when we did not know what it meant to tell a lie, or to deceive anyone. Let us ask Him to let us be brave enough always to tell the truth, no matter what it costs us to do so.
7. He is faithful like Jesus; therefore He appreciates the smallest things that we do for Him. He pays more attention to little things than we do, and for the very least sacrifices that we make for His love. He gives us an abundance of joy and merit.
