On the Gifts of the Holy Ghost

COMPENDIUM

The gifts of the Holy Ghost are seven in number:

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of God

The gifts of the Holy Ghost help to confirm us in Faith, Hope, and Charity, and to perform readily the acts of virtue which are required to obtain Christian perfection. Wisdom is a gift whereby we lift up our minds from things earthly and perishable to the contemplation of things eternal, i.e., the eternal Truth which is God, by tasting and loving Him, wherein consists all our good. Understanding is a gift which facilitates, as far as possible to mortal man, the comprehension of the truths of the Faith and of the divine Mysteries, which we cannot understand by the natural light of the intellect. Counsel enables us, amidst the doubts and uncertainties of human life, to ascertain what is most conducive to the glory for God, our own salvation, and that of our neighbor. Fortitude imparts valor and courage in the faithful observance of the holy Laws of God and the Church, by overcoming all the hindrances and attacks of our enemies. Knowledge enables us to judge rightly of things created, to know how to make good use of them, and to employ them to the glory of God. Piety is a gift whereby we venerate and love God and the Saints, and keep a charitable and benevolent mind towards our neighbor for the love of God. Fear of God makes us revere God and fear to offend His Divine Majesty, and keeps us from evil by stimulating us to do what is good.

CATECHISM

917. Name the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.

The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and the Fear of the Lord.

918. What purpose do these gifts serve?

The gifts of the Holy Ghost serve to establish us in Faith, Hope and Charity, and to render us prompt in the exercise of those acts of virtue necessary towards attaining the perfection of a Christian life.

919. What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is a gift by which the mind is lifted up from earthly and transitory things, enabling us to contemplate things eternal, that is to say, God Himself, the eternal truth, and to relish and love Him, in which consists all our good.

920. What is Understanding?

Understanding is a gift which facilitates, as far as this is possible to mortal man, the understanding of the truths of Faith and of the Mysteries of God, which we are unable to know by the natural light of the intellect.

921. What is Counsel?

Counsel is a gift by which, amidst the doubts and uncertainties of human life, we are enabled to recognize those things that redound more to God's glory, to our own salvation, and to that of our neighbor.

922. What is Fortitude?

Fortitude is a gift which inspires us with valor and courage to observe faithfully the holy Laws of God and of the Church, by conquering all obstacles and all the assaults of our enemies.

923. What is Knowledge?

Knowledge is a gift enabling us to estimate created things at their proper worth, and to learn how to use them rightly and to direct them to our last end, which is God.

924. What is Piety?

Piety is a gift enabling us to venerate and love God and His Saints, and to preserve a charitable and benevolent mind towards our neighbor for the love of God.

925. What is the Fear of the Lord?

The Fear of the Lord is a gift which makes us respect God and fear to offend His Divine Majesty, and which detaches us from evil while inciting us to good.