Theological Foundations new file

104 Theological Foundations be all the more effective if we support it by receiving the holy sacra- ments, by living a life of virtue, by working for God and the people. It should be made daily before every important action. Then the Holy Spirit will come and guide us Himself. 22 In his conference on religious orders, which are considered to be schools of perfection, Blessed George discusses a very special role played by the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. These institutions origi- nated on the foundation of the evangelical counsels and serve various purposes in the Church. Their very existence depends on the work of the Holy Spirit. He calls people, stimulates them, and shows them where various needs exist. This work is approved by the Church which ensures the conformity of a particular religious rule to the spirit of the Gospel, and which bestows rights and privileges. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit and everything that happens in the Church, happens because of Him. The Holy Spirit prepares a home and family for every religious, where he and others are to become more and more holy and work on the sanctification of other people. 23 What testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit in religious life is the fact that the purpose of a religious community is to strive for a more pro- found spiritual life and perfection based on love. What animates a reli- gious community is the Holy Spirit Himself. He gives the gift of voca- tion and makes a person feel that the outside world is not sufficient for him any longer. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the person who has been called wants to strive for the freedom enjoyed by God’s sons, for higher and more perfect things. It is He who has called thousands of those who have populated the deserts, mountains, forests, valleys, vil- lages and cities. The Holy Spirit molds the soul, so that it will be able to live up to its vocation. For this purpose He purifies and enlightens it and, through love, takes its heart into possession. Thus the soul is united with God more closely and becomes one with Him. 24