Weekday

A reading from the dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium” from
THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL 5
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On the day of Pentecost when the Son had completed the work on earth assigned to him by the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to sanctify the Church unceasingly so that through Christ, in the one Spirit, believers would have access to the Father. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life, a fountain of water welling up to give a life that is eternal. Through him the Father gives life to those who were dead because of their sins, and at last raises up their mortal bodies.

Building up and guiding the Church by means of varied gifts, both hierarchical and charismatic, and adorning her with his fruits, the Spirit leads her into all truth and gives her unity in communion and service. The Spirit is perpetually renewing the Church’s youth by the power of the Gospel and leading her to perfect union with her Bridegroom. The Spirit and the bride say to the Lord Jesus: ‘Come!’

The whole Church is thus shown to be a people made one as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one.
The body of believers as a whole, each one of whom has been anointed by the Holy One, cannot err in matters of faith. They demonstrate this special inerrancy of theirs when their supernatural instinct of faith causes all from the Bishops down to the most humble lay person to agree in matters of faith and morals.

Through this instinct of faith, which is awakened and kept alive by the Spirit of truth, the people of God hold indefectibly to the faith once delivered to the Saints; with true insight they penetrate it more deeply and they apply it ever more perfectly in their lives. They do all this under the guidance of the sacred Magisterium of the Church to which they loyally defer, not as to the words of men, but as to the very word of God.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies and guides God’s people and enriches them with virtues through the Sacraments and other ministrations of the Church. He also distributes special graces among believers in every state of life, apportioning his gifts to each one as he wills. By these gifts the Spirit prepares them and makes them eager to undertake various tasks and offices which serve the renewal and building up of the Church. As Scripture says: The power of the Spirit is shown in a particular way in each one for the good of all.

These charisms, the simpler and more widespread as well as the most outstanding, should fill us with a sense of gratitude, for they are especially adapted to the needs of the Church and are of the greatest value to her.

5
Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium 4, 12; Word in Season III, 1st ed.