The Holy Spirit who descended upon the apostles at Pentecost gave birth to the Church and offered them a new way of life: that of bearing witness to the Risen One. The Spirit of Pentecost continues to renew and transform our lives and to enliven the Church. In the Christian life, the Holy Spirit occupies a central place. He is not only the living bond between the believer and God, but also the soul of every inner transformation.
Saint Marie-Eugénie of Jesus, our foundress, offers us a profound teaching on the action of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the one who seeks to follow Christ faithfully and to make Pentecost a way of life. Through her words, she invites every believer to recognize the constant presence of this divine Spirit, to open themselves to Him in humility, and to be guided by His light.
This is what I try to live out, little by little: to give space to the Spirit in my days, in my decisions, in my relationships. It is not always something spectacular. Sometimes, it is very subtle. But that is where something new begins: an inner peace, an unexpected insight, a step I would not have dared to take alone.
A way of life that transforms deeply
Saint Marie-Eugénie, our foundress, often said that everything should be done with God. For her, the Holy Spirit was that living presence that helps us to see more clearly, to love better, to walk humbly in the light of Christ.
In the concrete reality of each day…
In my own life, this takes very simple forms. A few examples:
For Saint Marie-Eugénie, the Holy Spirit is the believer’s inner guide, the one who enlightens the mind and strengthens the heart. He accompanies the person of faith each day, helping them to fully live out the gifts received from Christ. She writes:
“During these days, we must pray a lot, remain more recollected, and implore an outpouring of this Spirit of God into our souls.”
This recollection and openness of heart allow the Spirit to guide the believer in understanding the Scriptures and in putting Jesus’ teachings into practice. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is not an abstract force, but a living presence who urges us to embody the values of the Gospel: love, peace, patience, justice. As she reminds us:
“There is first the Spirit of God—it is Him whom we must follow.”
But in order to follow this Spirit—and not our own impulses or personal will—discernment is essential. Saint Marie-Eugénie insists on the importance of humility and self-renunciation, fundamental conditions for the Holy Spirit to act fully in the soul of the believer:
“We need great discernment to obey the Spirit of God and not our own spirit. Obedience, humility, and self-surrender help us discern this Spirit of God from the two other spirits.” (August 12, 1881, Apostolic Spirit)
Thus, whether the believer is a novice, a consecrated person, someone long committed, or simply a faithful Christian, the call is the same: to allow oneself to be inwardly shaped by the Spirit. As Saint Marie-Eugénie also says:
“It is the sign of a soul where the Spirit of God reigns in a special way, because when the soul humbles itself, our Lord can descend into it.” (September 16, 1877, Taking the last place)
In times of trial, the Holy Spirit also appears as a comforter, bringing inner peace and courage. He lifts up, enlightens, consoles. Only by surrendering fully to Him can the believer face their weaknesses:
“If anyone needs not to rely on themselves, it is especially the superiors. They need more than others to be governed by the Spirit of God.”
To make this presence real and part of daily life, Saint Marie-Eugénie proposes three essential attitudes:
She also reminds us that this gift of the Spirit is present from the very first sacraments of the Christian: “The Holy Spirit was already in us, since the entire Holy Trinity descended into our soul at baptism.”
In the light of Saint Marie-Eugénie of Jesus’ teaching, the believer is invited to recognize that the Holy Spirit is the breath of their spiritual life. He enlightens, transforms, strengthens, consoles, and sanctifies. To live according to God, outward actions are not enough: one must allow oneself to be guided inwardly by the Spirit. It is in humility, prayer, and openness of heart that this transformation becomes possible.
Thus, by welcoming the Holy Spirit each day, the believer discovers a deep peace and joy, a quiet strength that only God can give. Saint Marie-Eugénie calls us to this vibrant inner life, inhabited and guided… by the Spirit of God.
Sister Yvonne M. Faustine Nyirabazirorera R.A.
Rwanda–Chad Province