[Question:]{.underline} Should we say Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit when speaking of the third Person of the Blessed Trinity?
[Answer:]{.underline} It is certainly true that both expressions are an accurate translation of the Latin “Spiritus Sanctus”, abstraction made from circumstances. However, it has long been the custom amongst Catholics to use the older and more traditional expression “Holy Ghost”, whereas the use of the term “Holy Spirit” is essential an innovation of the past 40 years amongst Catholics.
The term “Holy Ghost” is to be preferred not just because it is established by a centuries-old custom, but also because the old English word “Ghost” in this context has had its meaning fixed and limited to a sacred one. The word “Spirit” has, to the contrary, many other meanings, even in the religious context. It is the term that protestants and charismatics use for manifestations which really have nothing to do with the Holy Ghost, whether they be an emotional experience, a community-based euphoria or the appearance of an extraordinary phenomenon. In all these modern uses the word “Spirit” is not sacred, and has nothing to do with a true conversion, and with the indwelling of the third Person of the Holy Trinity and sanctifying grace, as does the Holy Ghost. Consequently, the circumstances of the use of language make it less appropriate to use the term “Holy Spirit”.
Answered by Father Peter Scott, SSPX.