The Trinitarian Context of Spirituality 153 Spirit.”107 So it is in this sense, that the Spirit becomes a pledge of the eternal happiness of the redeemed, as it were, because He – being “a gift from the heavens” – also leads us there. By referring to biblical passages, Papczyński wishes to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is a gift from Christ bestowed on the Church community after His resurrection. Discussing the biblical description of the Risen Lord’s meeting the Apostles (Jn 20:19-23), and the words: “Receive the Holy Spirit,” Papczyński emphasizes the continuity of the glorified Christ’s working in the Church and the constant imparting to the faithful of the same gifts of the Risen Lord, among which the Holy Spirit is the first and most important one.108 Therefore, as Saint Stanislaus concludes, just like Christ “For if he gave his Spirit to the disciples by breathing on them, he will certainly not deprive you of the same Spirit.”109 Frequently referring to the Holy Spirit as “a gift,” Papczyński makes sure to present Him as the God that works in the hearts of the faithful. For this reason, he sometimes calls Him “the Teacher of Truth,” “spirit of science” and the “heavenly light.”110 Recalling Christ’s promise to send the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:26), who – as “the Spirit of Truth” – shall “teach everything” to the Lord’s disciples, the Marian Founder claims that He [the Spirit] shall be our “Teacher, Protector, Helper and Consoler.”111 In the Marian Founder’s opinion, the Holy Spirit is the Person concerned with bringing man to actively receive the gift of the offered grace of salvation and to fulfill his life’s mission inscribed in that gift, as well as to make him Christ-like and, ultimately, to lead him to the “house of the Father.” Actions of the Holy Spirit pursue the goal of the continuous enlightenment of men and to 107 IC, Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM, BHC, pt. 2. 108 One of Papczyński’s prayerful meditations becomes very significant in this context: “O highest grace! O gift than which nothing greater can be attained! What more wonderful benefits, favors, and charisms besides the Holy Spirit could the Lord impart to his disciples? He who possesses him seems to have everything! He who is directed by him cannot err, and a safe and straight road leads him toward the heavenly Fatherland!” IC, Sunday “In Albis,” AHC, pt. 2. 109 IC, p. Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle, AHC, pt. 3. 110 IC, Meditation IX, pt. 1. 111 IC, Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension, AHC, pt. 3.
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