The Church is holy because it was created by and continues to be filled with the power of the Trinity. God is its author, Jesus its savior, the Holy Spirit its teacher.
Catholics believe that God's plan for the Church dates back to the creation of the world. This plan:
-
was prepared in the history of the people of Israel.
-
was established by Jesus during his lifetime when he preached the Good News announcing the reign of God.
-
was made manifest, or visible, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
-
will be completed at the end of time.
As a community that emerged from the power of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, the Church believes that the risen Lord is always present in its midst, and that the Holy Spirit is always active in the Church. In fact:
The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the soul, as it were, of the Mystical Body, the source of its life, of its unity in diversity, and of the riches of its gifts abd charisms.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 809)
The Church is also holy because it has unique access to ways of gaining God's life. The Church has the Scriptures, the living Word of God. Reading, praying adn preaching the Scriptures can put people in touch with the power and grace of God.
The Church also has the sacraments: dynamic and physical manifestations of God's saving power. The sacraments have been called "meeting places with Jesus Christ." They are events where believers can encounter Jesus, grow closer to him, and receive his life.