Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is given to Christians who are infused with 7 gifts to help them grow in holiness and merit eternal life. As the believer grows in faith and maturity, his prayer life will also become richer and the grace of the Holy Spirit will increase.

There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. According to Church tradition, they are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God.

Wisdom: the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth.
Understanding: deep insight into the higher truths, the ability to “see” God.
Counsel: the ability to be directed by God in matters necessary for a soul’s salvation.
Fortitude: the ability to do good and avoid evil, particularly when it is difficult or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of the assurance of everlasting life.
Knowledge: the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never wander from the straight path of justice.
Piety: the ability to revere God with filial affection, to worship and offer duty to God, paying due duty to all men on account of their relationship to God, and honoring the saints and not contradicting Scripture.
Fear of God: is a fear of offending God and a desire to avoid separating ourselves from him—as opposed to “servile” fear, whereby we fear punishment.