14/06/2025
In honor of the most Blessed and Holy Trinity, the CSSSFIII presents to you, a simple explanation of thr one true God, existing in three persons.
Firstly, we must define the terms — (1) essence means by what it is, for example, an essence of a human being is that be is a rational being; (2) person means an individual substance of a rational nature as Saint Thomas posits in the Summa Theologiae.
“It might seem that in the Trinity, there exists three Gods, for if there are three hypostases in God, therefore, we must posit the multiplicity of essence.”
On the Contrary, as Saint Augustine posits, the persons in the Trinity are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial in essence. Therefore, in the Trinity, there exists one ousia, existing as three hypostases.
What makes these persons as distinct is by esse ad—or known as hypostatic properties. Each hypostasis are really distinct by relations of origin as Saint Thomas posits. So, how are they distinct?
I answer that, Saint Thomas gives each hypostasis a relation which makes the three hypostases distinct from one another. Firstly, the Father possesses Paternity (relation of the Father to the Son), He is the source of Divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Secondly, the Son possesses filiation (relation of the Son to the Father.) The Son has no principle but the Father. Lastly, as Saint Thomas says, the Holy Spirit has no property, but is distinct from the other two persons through procession (The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son [filioque])
This is, a simple and easy to comprehend explanation of the one true God. O, most Holy Trinity, misrere nobis!