Thursday, May 08, 2008
the Church
Holy Church, although diverse in multiplicity of persons, is brought into unity by the fire of the Holy Spirit. If, from the physical point of view, she seems to be divided among several families, yet the mystery of her profound unity loses nothing of its integrity: "[B]ecause the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Rom 5:5) There is no question that this Spirit is both one and many at the same time: one at the core of its majesty; many in the gifts and charisms granted to the Holy Church filled by his presence. And it is this same Spirit that enables the Church to be at one and the same time single in its universal extent yet wholly present in each of its members.
-- Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072), hermit, then a Bishop, Doctor of the Church
-- Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072), hermit, then a Bishop, Doctor of the Church
