Rosal

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost: Mary and the apostles in the upper room, a small flame above each one and the dove of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are seven: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. The list comes from Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 11:2-3). The Holy Spirit gives them in Baptism and strengthens them in Confirmation. They are like the sails of a boat: they let us move with the wind of the Spirit.

  1. Wisdom

    Seeing things the way God sees them, and finding joy in the things of God.

  2. Understanding

    Grasping the truths of the faith more deeply.

  3. Counsel

    Knowing what to do, especially when a choice is hard.

  4. Fortitude

    Courage to do what is right, even when it costs us.

  5. Knowledge

    Seeing God’s hand in creation, and using well the things he gives us.

  6. Piety

    Treating God with the love of a child for their father.

  7. Fear of the Lord

    It isn’t fright: it is the reverence and love that don’t want to offend God.

As a family

Before a test, a decision or a hard day, pray to the Holy Spirit together and ask for the gift you need most that day: fortitude for the test, counsel for the decision.

To read more, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1830, 1831.

The feast that goes with this topic

Seven weeks after EasterPentecost

In the app, the lesson “The Holy Spirit, giver of life” in Unit 2 goes with this topic.

More from the catechism