Re: Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Fr:
Holy Spirit Fathers’ Novena to the Holy Spirit in Fr. Donald H. Calloway, MIC
(2020). Consecration to St. Joseph: The
wonders of our Spiritual Father. Stockbridge, MA: Marian Press, pp. 154-155
[parenthetical remarks mine].
1. KNOWLEDGE
– enables the soul to evaluate CREATED THINGS at their worth – in their
relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their
emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as INSTRUMENTS IN THE SERVICE
OF GOD. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to
glorify him in every circumstances of life. Guided by its light, we put FIRST
THINGS FIRST, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else.
2. UNDERSTANDING
[primarily cognitive, not affective, as used in psychology] – helps us to grasp
the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we know them, but by
understanding we learn to appreciate & relish them. It enables us to penetrate
the INNER MEANING OF REVEALED TRUTHS and, through them, to be quickened to
newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile & inactive, but inspires a
mode of life that bears eloquent testimony of the faith that is in us.
3.
COUNSEL – endows the soul with supernatural
prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done,
especially in difficult circumstances. counsel applies the principles furnished
by #1 & #2 to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course
of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens.
Counsel is SUPERNATURAL COMMON SENSE, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation.
4.
FORTITUDE – strengthens the soul against
natural fear & supports us in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to
the will an IMPULSE and ENERGY which move it to undertake without hesitancy the
most arduous tasks, to FACE DANGERS, to trample underfoot human respect, &
to ENDURE WITHOUT COMPLAINT the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation.
5.
PIETY – begets in our hearts a FILIAL
AFFECTION for God as our MOST LOVING FATHER. It inspires us to love and respect
for his sake persons & things consecrated to him, as well as those who are
vested with his authority, his mother, St. Joseph, the saints, the Church &
its visible head, our parents & superiors, our country & its rulers. He
who is filled with the Gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a
burdensome duty, but a DELIGHTFUL SERVICE.
6.
FEAR – fills us with a SOVEREIGN RESPECT for
God, & makes us dread nothing so much as to offend him by sin. It is a fear
that arises, not from the thoughts of hell, but from sentiments of REVERENCE
and FILIAL SUBMISSION to our HEAVENLY FATHER. It is the fear that is the
beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way
separate us from God.
7.
WISDOM – embodies all the other gifts, as
charity embraces all the other virtues. Wisdom is the MOST PERFECT of all
gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came to me with her, &
innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the Gift of Wisdom that
strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, & promotes the PRACTICE
OF VIRTUE in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern & relish
things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savr, while
the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness.
