The Narthex
Time to Start the Novena to the Holy Spirit
To pray to the Third Person of the Trinity and meditate on His role in personal sanctification
By John M. Grondelski | May 15th 2026 11:37 AMThe interval between the Ascension and Pentecost was archetypal for a particular kind of prayer: the novena. Before the end of His final post-Resurrection bodily appearances to His disciples, Christ instructed them on the fortieth day to remain in Jerusalem, wait, and pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit.…
READ FULL BLOG POSTInverted Pneumatology?
Many Western European clerics seem to think the Spirit moves mostly outside the Church
By John M. Grondelski | October 21st 2025 12:21 PMPneumatology is that branch of theology dealing with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is understood as indwelling in the Church and keeping her from error. The Church’s inerrancy is neither political nor historical; she can and has made mistakes in those areas. The Church’s inerrancy is related to her…
READ FULL BLOG POSTBabel, Diversity, and Unity
The principle of unity is not language or culture but God
By John M. Grondelski | May 20th 2024 2:13 PM"Diversity" is the mot du jour, celebrated in all sorts of circles. Alas, many of those celebrating “diversity” are unclear about whether or how it connects to “unity.” Perhaps the readings for Pentecost can help. The central truth of Pentecost is the Holy Spirit, who is the principle of unity.…
READ FULL BLOG POSTOn Ecclesiastical Growth
I do not believe the “Holy Spirit” is leading us into ecclesiastical shrinkage and retreat
By John M. Grondelski | May 1st 2024 12:05 PMA subtle aspect of last Sunday’s First Reading has to do with ecclesiastical growth. The main thrust of the reading was the suspicion with which the Church in Jerusalem (i.e., Peter and the other Apostles) initially received Paul, former persecutor and now evangelist, who “spoke out boldly in the name…
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