|  | originally the Jewish Feast of weeks commemorating the gift of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai 50 days after the Exodus |
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| | Pentecost is seen as the birthday of the Church |
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| | Vatican II insisted that each of us is called to the heights of holiness (Lumen Gentium, chapter V). |
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| | Holiness consists in faith, hope, and especially divine love. |
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| | the Spirit gives us seven further gifts which perfect faith, hope, and love, making it possible for us to live a supernatural, charismatic life. |
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| | Thomas Aquinas taught to the contrary that the gifts of Is 11:1-3 (wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord) are standard equipment given in baptism, that all are called to be “mystics.” |
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| | Charisms are not doled out by the pastors; but are given directly by the Spirit through baptism and confirmation, even sometimes outside of the sacraments |
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| | every sacramental celebration is a New Pentecost where the Spirit and his gifts are poured out anew (CCC 739, 1106) |
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