VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2000 (VIS) - The theme of the Pope's catechesis during the general audience, which was held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 35,000 pilgrims, was "The Christian, animated by the Spirit."
John Paul II recalled that the whole current of the Church "is pervaded by the presence and activity of the Spirit, donated 'without measure' to believers in Christ."
"The Holy Spirit," he said, "lies at the root of the experience of faith. ... The breath of the Spirit is present at the very source of Christian life - when we are born as new creatures - making us sons in the Son and causing us 'walk' along the paths of justice and salvation."
The Holy Father affirmed that "the whole Christian experience must, then, develop under the influence of the Spirit. ... The Spirit is near us at the moment of trial, becoming our defender and our support."
"The Spirit," he added, "lies at the root of Christian liberty, which is the removal of the yoke of sin. ... Moral life - as St. Paul reminds us - precisely because it is irradiatated by the Spirit, produces fruits of 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control'."
John Paul II indicated that "the Spirit animates the whole community of believers in Christ," ensuring "the unity of the Church as the work of the Holy Spirit" and confers "the various charisms, in other words the particular gifts offered to members of the Church."
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