In college, I had the pleasure of taking a sacraments course with Dr. Scott Hahn, which was equal parts awe-inspiring and overwhelming. For starters, the man is practically a living encyclopedia when it comes to the Catholic faith, so notetaking in his class was basically like trying to drink water from a fire hydrant.
Even though I’ve been a practicing Catholic all my life, I was shocked to realize that there was so much about my Catholic faith that I didn’t know, especially when it came to the Holy Spirit.
I did a little digging on the third person of the Trinity and came up with seven names for the Holy Spirit that you may not have known either:
7 Names of the Holy Spirit
The WIld Goose
This is a term that the Celts used for the Holy Spirit during ancient times. They referred to Him by this name because they correctly understood this “wild”, unpredictable nature of the Holy Spirit who always seems to call us out of our comfort zone. Turns out there’s an entire series dedicated to the Holy Spirit under this title.
Spiritual Unction
(1 John 2:20) This is a term used for the Holy Spirit by the apostle John who is telling the early Christians that they are receiving the anointing from the same Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus.
Consuming Fire
(Deuteronomy 4:24, Acts 2:3) This title is partly a throwback to the Old Testament where God is referred to as a “consuming fire.” Later in the new testament, St. Luke recounts how at pentecost the Apostles saw tongues of fire descend and rest above each one of them. Either way, there’s a rich tradition of the Holy Spirit being depicted with fire-related imagery.
Spirit of the Fear of the Lord
This title is given to the Holy Spirit because of his role of enabling us to have a vivid understanding of God’s infinite power and greatness (a.k.a. “Fear of the Lord).
Paraclete
(John 14:16, 26) This is the Greek term that translates into advocate or counselor. When Christ left this earth he promised to send His advocate or paraclete so that His followers would not be left alone. He is the advocate for the entire mystical body of Christ. This title of the Holy Spirit is used in the Divine Praises, said during
Convictor of Sin
(John 16:7-11) In the Gospel according to St. John, Christ talks about how He would send the Holy Spirit to convict men of their sinfulness. This conviction of sin would then lead man to recognize his own need for God’s mercy.
Indweller of Believers
(Romans 8:9-11, Ephesians 2:21-22) When we are in the state of grace, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. St. Paul talks about this is his letters to both Romans and Ephesians which is where we get this title.
The key to remember is that the Holy Spirit is actively looking for a relationship with you. If you don’t know how to invite Him into your life, start by finding a quiet place (preferably in front of the tabernacle) and pray this litany to the Holy Spirit. Be careful though. When you invite the Holy Spirit to enter your life, He always comes in abundance.
There are Catholics who marry Catholics and who live a wonderful life. There are Catholics who marry Catholics who end up in divorce. There are Catholics who marry non-Catholics who lose their faith. And there are Catholics who marry non-Catholics whose spouses...
For many people, the priest is the one whom people go to for their spiritual needs, for prayer requests, for Mass offerings, and other sacraments. Have you ever wondered how a priest is sustained spiritually for the work they do? Should we be praying for a priest as...
On one of the last chilly mornings of October, I received a text from a producer friend of mine, telling me that there was a an opportunity to be part of the crew for a film called “Triumph of the Heart.” For someone laying upside down on their bed, sponging fallen...
In our age of wars, transgenderism, abortion up till birth in various nations, natural and moral calamities and a host of other seemingly insurmountable problems, sometimes it looks as if the world has gone barking mad. Many of us remember times that were much more...
Catholic Sexual Teaching - An Invitation to Reality Lust and Counterfeit Sexuality We live in a throw-away society. Fast food and plastic plates — our culture is full of the cheap and easy. Unfortunately, this mentality bleeds into our sexuality. America is obsessed...
The day passes you by and the prayer time you wanted to spend with God never happens. Kids, job, spouse and other important demands seem to push out the time you wanted to spend in prayer. You are exhausted from the day and you just want to “veg” out, so you reach for...
Imagine this: You stand outside your teen’s bedroom door. You knock a few times and there’s no answer. A few moments pass by and you knock again. All is quiet. You make an executive decision to enter the room. As the door opens, you find your teenager sitting down...
For much of my life as a child, a teenager, and even a young adult, I never really considered my clothing except for those “big” moments like what I would wear for a school dance or a graduation day. As a child, my mom sewed all of my clothes, and as I grew, I...
After years of adults enjoying our "What Should I Give Up For Lent?" Quiz, we've decided it's time for kids to have their very own version! Whether you're at home with your family, in the classroom, or at your next youth group meeting, this quiz is perfect for kids of...
Steven Duran lives in the sleepy town of Sycamore, IL with his wife and their daughter. In his free time he likes to get together with his friends to drink bourbon and talk about the Lord. He’s a tattooed cradle Catholic who loves watching English Premier League soccer on Saturday mornings and occasionally cries while listening to Penny & Sparrow.
Come, Holy Spirit | Prayer
The Symbols Of The Holy Spirit
The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
Prayer To The Holy Spirit By St. Augustine
Litany Of The Holy Spirit
7 Must-Reads To Help You Understand The Power Of The Holy Spirit
Let The Holy Spirit Transform Your Fear: How To Embrace The Challenges Of Your Mission
Are You Courageous Enough To Pray “Come Holy Spirit”?
“The Wild Goose” Is A Must Watch For Catholics Who Want To Grow In The Holy Spirit
