Belief in the Holy Trinity is basic to Catholic Tradition. However, it is not a doctrine that can be arrived at through reasoning or theological study. We believe in the mystery of the Trinity because Jesus, in his preaching to the disciples, reveals God as three Persons.

In this preaching, the divine Persons are revealed in their relationships to one another. Jesus tells us of his Father, who sends him into the world for our salvation. Jesus himself is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from both the Father and the Son.

We too are defined by our relationships with God and each other. The relationships in the Trinity are creative and life giving. Can we say the same of our own relationships? By enumerating the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Saint Paul gives us a list of what we can hope for as the outcome of our loving relationships.


Family Activity

The Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, remains with us to guide us as Christians in our daily lives. List the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Place the list where all family members can see it. Ask each person to share how another family member’s actions reflected on one or more of these gifts within the past week. Is there a gift that someone in the family needs to better develop? How can family members be of assistance?

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturg