Divinum Illud Munus

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DIVINUM ILLUD MUNUS

An encyclical on the holy spirit by leo xiii, issued on May 9, 1897. It begins by emphasizing the unity of the three Divine Persons, who are not to be honored separately in divine worship, nor to be considered as acting separately in the work of sanctification. Accordingly, it treats of the mission of the Holy Spirit: His part in the Incarnation, His role as the soul of the Mystical Body of Christ (the Church), and His personal presence in the souls of the just. In those who will respond by a love of conformity to His divine operations, the Holy Spirit, the "life-giving Love," will perfect their "wonderful union" with God. The sequel to this encyclical is the mystici corporis of Pius XII.

Bibliography: leo xiii, "Divinum illud munus" (encyclical, May 9, 1897), Acta Sanctae Sedis 29 (189697) 644658, Eng. Catholic Mind 36 (May 8, 1938) 161181.

[g. m. greenewald]