Aug

14

Fun, Faith Filled Facts #7: What are the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Posted By Geneviève | Filed Under Catechism, Geneviève Matthews 

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Fun, Faith Filled Facts #7: What are the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

What are the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit? (And who knew there were so many????)

The Prophet Isaiah announced that the Holy Spirit of God would bring
seven precious gifts to those who are faithful to Him. (Is 11:2)

Here they are in quick order:

1. The Gift of Wisdom. A special delight for all that is spiritual,
for all that points to God.

2. The Gift of Fortitude. A special strength to realize what God
wants of us and to resist with patience and courage the difficulties
of life.

3. The Gift of Council. It allows us, at the moment of choice, to
opt for what is best for someone: it inspires what we must do and how
to do it. (This is in reference to God’s law).

4. The Gift of Piety. A filial affection toward God (the affection
of a son or a daughter).

5. The Gift of Understanding. An ease to understand what God tells
us through His word in the Bible or through other means.

6. The Gift of Science. An ease to distinguish between what is true
and what is false.

7. The Gift of Fear of God. A tender hesitancy that inspires fear
of offending God because He is a Father so generous and full of
kindness toward us, and also because we know that God will not leave
a single sin without punishment (this truth is repeated seven times
in the Bible).

All good things I think I’d like to have!

The Catechism says it even more concisely.

1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.

And if you’re ever feeling like it’s tough being a Christian, you might be reassured to know that the Catechism also says:

1830 The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (emphasis added)

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BTW I was intrigued when I noticed #6: “The Gift of Science- an ease to distinguish between what is true and what is false.” In this day of rampant relativism where truth is in the eye of the beholder, I thought that only the Atheists and the Agnostics held the lock and key to knowledge about “what is true and what is false!” Who knew that the Holy Spirit gives it away as a free gift?!?! Wow!

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