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- Wisdom
- Understanding
- Counsel
- Fortitude
- Knowledge
- Piety, and
- Fear of the Lord
- Charity
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Benignity
- Goodness
- Long-suffering
- Mildness
- Faith
- Modesty
- Continency, and
- Chastity
   Gifts and Fruits of Faith, Hope and Charity
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Editor's Note: This series is an effort to return to basics since too often we all make the holy Faith complicated, whereas in reality the truths and traditions of the Catholic Faith are quite simple. God doesn't complicate things, man does. Realizing the fact that, for many generations indoctrinated by conciliar ambiguities, it all seems so confusing, we are introducing this series which is an adaptation of an earlier series titled "Appreciating the Precious Gift of the Faith" in utilizing a combination of the excellent compendium of the late Bishop Morrow's pre-Vatican II Manual of Religion My Catholic Faith and Dom Prosper Gueranger's incomparable The Liturgical Year as well as the out-of-print masterpieces The Catholic Church Alone The One True Church(1902) and the Cabinet of Catholic Information (1903). Through prayer and discussions, we've decided to employ this revised series to simplify the tenets of the Faith for those who continue to wallow in what they think is the 'Catholic Church' out of obedience to a man and his hierarchy who long ago betrayed Christ and His flocks. This then, is an affirmation of the basic truths the Spotless Bride of Christ has always taught and cannot change or evolve as "living documents" for truth is truth. As we say every day in the Act of Faith, "We believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived." If you have been deceived, and the vast majority have been, then realize what you've been indoctrinated with over the past 50 years cannot be from God but from His adversary. Our advice: flee the conciliar confines as well as other man-made religions which do not teach these truths without compromise. Seek out a traditional chapel nearest to you. There is a list of churches you can absolutely trust at Traditional Latin Masses
Faith is the foundation of all virtue, for by it God makes Himself known to men. As Saint Paul says, "Not faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that are not seen….And without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:1,6). It is this supernatural faith that the Canaanite woman proved, when she persevered in begging Jesus to cure her daughter. Having tested her, He said, "O woman, great is thy faith. Let it be done to thee as thou wilt" (St. Matthew 15:28).
The chief supernatural powers that are bestowed on our souls with sanctifying grace are the three theological virtues and the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Good qualities or inclinations, whether natural or supernatural, are generally referred to as "virtues." Virtue is a habit that inclines us to whatever is good.
A single good act does not constitute virtue. For instance, one does not have the virtue of faith if one believes in Christ only once a week.
Supernatural virtues enter the soul with sanctifying grace, imparted by the Holy Grace in the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance. With sanctifying grace the soul acquires the supernatural light of faith and hope, and burns with the fire of charity. These virtues render us capable of being good and doing good for the love and service of God, to act for instead of against Him.
We are not to suppose, however, that sanctifying grace makes us perfect in the practice of virtue. It gives us the power and the inclination to be good and do good, but to have perfection we must frequently exercise our virtues. We are given the power, but if we do not use it, it remains dormant; similarly, we are given legs to use for walking, but if we refuse to walk, the power is dormant. Virtue is a habit acquired by repeated good acts.
Natural virtue enables us to perform good natural acts; it deals directly with things human. Supernatural virtue enables us to perform good acts from a supernatural motive, for the glory of God.
If we are temperate in food and drink because we wish to preserve our health, we have a natural virtue; we act according to reason.
Natural virtues compared to supernatural ones are like a photograph compared to the living original. It is only supernatural virtues that will profit us unto life everlasting, since it is only those whose object and life is God.
Natural virtues mean little compared to the same virtues when supernaturalized, that is, when they flower as a result of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the soul. For instance, if we are temperate in food or drink because in that way we hope to be more pleasing to God and obey His precepts, we act from supernatural virtue.
The three theological virtues are Faith, Hope, and Charity.
These virtues are called theological, from the Greek term theos (meaning God), because their object is God. As appropriate symbol for the theological virtues is a living tree. Faith is the root, hope the trunk, and charity the fruit. The root and trunk are valueless if they do not find completion in the fruit. The common symbols depicting these three virtues are: the cross for faith, the anchor for hope, and the burning heart for charity.
He who possesses these three virtues has all other virtues in some degree. Without them, he cannot possess any other supernatural virtue nor reach Heaven.
We should make acts of these virtues every day. We can say very briefly: "O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee. To Thee be honor, praise, and glory forever."
Faith is the virtue by which we firmly believe all the truths God has revealed, on the word of God revealing them, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
"Faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that are not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed" (St. John 20:29).
Faith is belief in a truth on the world of another, though that truth be not fully understood.
In a trial, the judge believes the testimony of a witness known to be an honest man. When a fact is so obvious as "it is dark at midnight," no belief is needed; that is known and fully understood.
Divine faith is belief in a truth or mystery known only because God revealed it. It is grace that helps us to attain faith and to persevere in it, to take God's word for whatever He has revealed.
Faith is supernatural because we cannot by ourselves acquire it. It is a gift of God. It is, however, increased by prayer and continual exercise: the apostles prayed to the Lord, "Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5).
Without faith, it is impossible to be saved. Our faith must be firm and complete; that is, both certain and all-encompassing. We must not cease praying for increase of faith, for it is necessary for salvation. "Without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). "He that believeth not, shall be condemned" (St. Mark 16:6).
If we are doubtful on any matters of faith, considering opposite viewpoints as possibly true, then we deny God's authority. If we accept some truths, and deny others, then that is denying God altogether.
That is why the Act of Faith has such meaning when we say:
Hope is the virtue by which we firmly trust that God, Who is all-powerful and faithful to His promises, will in His mercy give us eternal happiness and the means to obtain it.
God promised to give man eternal life, and the means to obtain it. In this promise is our hope.
"He that puts his trust in Me shall inherit the land, and shall possess My holy mount" (Isaiah 57:13).
Hope is necessary for salvation. Our hope must be firmly founded in God, Who promised to give us the means for salvation. Such firm hope, however, would not exclude reasonable fear of the loss of our soul. Very often we fall far short of the proper use of the means of salvation granted us. The Act of Hope provides the hope that we maintain through the faith we practice.
Charity is the virtue by which we love God above all things for His Own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves, for the love of God.
Charity is the queen of virtues. It unites God and man perfectly in love. It also unites man and man, for the love of God.
To love God above all things, we must be willing to renounce all created things rather than offend Him by sin. We should often speak to God in acts of love, opening our hearts to Him.
In Heaven faith and hope will cease; for we cannot need faith for what we already know, nor can we desire what we already possess. But for all eternity we shall have charity: we can love God forever and it doesn't hurt our chances of gaining eternal happiness if we practice charity while on earth. We reinforce this every day with the Act of Charity when we pray:
The Holy Ghost is often depicted as a Dove. It was in that form that the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity made Himself visible to Saint John the Baptist when he baptized Jesus at the River Jordan. The dove symbolizes gentleness and peace.
The Sanctifier dispenses the graces of God. However, the Holy Advocate produces nothing beyond what Jesus Christ merited. The merits of Our Lord are infinite, for He is God. The Holy Ghost merely perfects the works of Christ in dispensing grace and His Gifts and Fruits. In a somewhat similar way, the sun shining on a field does not sow new seed; it merely develops what has been sown, making it bloom and bear fruit.
The way to this fruit is through the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These seven gifts are:
The gifts are infused in our souls with sanctifying grace. With God the Holy Spirit comes sanctifying grace, and inseparably, His gifts.
Wisdom is that gift by which we recognize the emptiness of earthly things. By it we come to regard God and spiritual things as of the highest good. Without the gift of wisdom we are indifferent to spiritual matters, avoiding all mortification.
The best example of the effects of the gifts of the Holy Ghost are the Apostles, who after receiving the Holy Ghost, became penetrated with His graces.
Understanding is that gift by which we are enabled to recognize the true Catholic teaching, and to detect false doctrines. Before the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, they did not understand the divine mysteries. Christ revealed to them, often interpreting His words materially.
Saint Clement Hofbauer began his studies late in life, and had just enough instruction in theology to be ordained. But he was often consulted by high officials of the Church on matters of doctrine, because he had the gift of understanding to an extraordinary degree.
The gift of Counsel helps us to discover the will of God under difficult circumstances.
Before they received the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were inconstant in their thoughts, desires, and actions, at one time full of high zeal, at other times despairing and weak. But Christ promised them the gift of counsel, saying: "Do not be anxious how or wherewith you shall defend yourselves, or what you shall say, for the Holy Ghost will teach you" (St. Luke 12:11).
The gift of Knowledge enables us to grasp the teaching of the Church, to know God and Jesus Christ Whom He sent. Before the advent of the Holy Ghost, the Apostles were ignorant men who did not care for intellectual pursuits; neither were they expert in holiness or the things of God. The saintly Cure d'Ars Saint John Vianney had made but little study, yet his sermons were so remarkable that even Bishops were eager to listen.
Piety is that gift by which we love God as our Father, ever striving to do His will.
Before Pentecost Sunday, the Apostles loved Jesus, but more for their own sakes rather than His, more for the reward He promised than for the love of Him. But after Pentecost, what a change! They were ready to suffer death just because they loved Jesus and wished to declare Him everywhere.
The Fear of the Lord makes us dread sin as the greatest of all evils, and enables us to quell fear of man and human respect. Eleazer, the old Jewish scribe, chose death rather than offend God by eating, or even pretending to eat, forbidden means (cf. 2 Macchabees 6).
Besides these seven gifts, the Holy Spirit also grants certain extraordinary gifts, which are given only on rare occasions and to selected persons. Such extraordinary graces are granted principally not for the benefit of the recipient, but of others. They were common during the early days of the Church, and helped in its rapid spread. Among them are the gift of tongues, of miracles, of visions, and of prophecy. The Apostles received the gift of tongues on Pentecost, so that although they spoke to a crowd of different nationalities and languages, everybody understood what was said.
On Pentecost Sunday the Apostles were also given gifts such as the gift of miracles, curing the sick, driving out evil spirits, raising the dead to life. All these proved fruitful. Many saints have been blessed with the gift of miracles. The prophets before the coming of Christ foretold future events. A number of the saints have been granted the gift of visions and ecstasies, though this is rare; good examples are Saint Francis of Assisi, who received the stigmata of our Lord's wounds, and Saint Catherine of Siena.
The gifts of the Holy Ghost help us by making us more alert to discern and more ready to do the will of God.
If we look with discerning eyes, we can see how the gifts of the Holy Spirit have greatly helped the world at large.
As the psalmist sang: "Thou shalt send forth Thy spirit, and they shall be created: and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth" (Psalm 103:30). "And hope does not disappoint, because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5).
The operations of the Sanctifier were easily discernible among the early Christians.
"And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles and in the communion of the breaking of the bread and in the prayers. And…many wonders also and signs were done by means of the apostles" (Acts 2: 42-43).
The difference between the virtues and the gifts of the Holy Ghost consists in this: the virtues enable us to do what our reason directs; the gifts make us follow the inspirations of the Sanctifier.
Some of the effects in us of the gifts of the Advocate are the fruits of the Holy Ghost and the beatitudes.
In Step Twelve we shall cover The twelve fruits of the Holy Ghost.
These twelve fruits give us grace to perform good works under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. They make us happy and contented, and help us to be pleasing to both God and man.
With the fruits of the Holy Ghost it becomes easier for us to persevere in the union with God by the practice of virtue; our heart inclines with charity towards God and our neighbor, and finds it almost natural to be detached from the world.
With the gift of sanctifying grace and its accompanying theological virtues, gifts of the Holy Ghost, and their effects, the Christian soul may be said to possess sanctity, to be in the state of Christian perfection.
Sanctity is the fervent surrender of one's self to God and the practice of virtue. It does not require extraordinary works. The Blessed Mother of God, the most holy of mortals, never performed any extraordinary works to excite worldly admiration. "Love is the fulfilling of the law."
Previously: Step Ten: The Sanctifier and Grace
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