Dominum et Vivificantem

On the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church and the World

St. John Paul II1986-05-18Current

Read official document on Vatican.va ↗Return to library

Overview

Explores the person and mission of the Holy Spirit in creation, redemption, conscience, sin, grace, prayer, and the Church.

Why This Document Matters

It completes John Paul II’s Trinitarian cycle and offers a major modern papal theology of the Holy Spirit.

Historical Context

Issued by St. John Paul II in 1986, this papal encyclical addresses the pastoral, doctrinal, or governing needs of its period while remaining part of the Church's continuing documentary tradition.

Authority and Status

Genre: Papal Encyclical
Authority class: Papal encyclical
Juridical force: Doctrinal and pastoral
Current status: Current
Promulgated: 1986-05-18

Authoritative papal teaching; the weight of individual statements depends on their wording, subject, continuity, and intent.

Key Points

Doctrine & FaithEcclesiologySpirituality & Prayer

Major Themes

Doctrine & FaithEcclesiologySpirituality & Prayer

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Official Text

Dominum et Vivificantem

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

Read official document on Vatican.va ↗Source verified 2026-08-25 · Opens in a new tab