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HOLY GHOST HOMEPAGE (General Articles)
| INTRODUCTION TO THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST (a very brief coverage of all seven Gifts) |
| Gift of Fear | Gift of Piety | Gift of Knowledge | Gift of Fortitude | Gift of Counsel | Gift of Understanding | Gift of Wisdom |
| THE TWELVE FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST (a brief coverage of all 12 Fruits) |
| PRAYERS TO THE HOLY GHOST | NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST |
Links will be activated as articles appear on those pages
HOLY GHOST HOMEPAGE (General Articles)
| INTRODUCTION TO THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST (a very brief coverage of all seven Gifts) |
| Gift of Fear | Gift of Piety | Gift of Knowledge | Gift of Fortitude | Gift of Counsel | Gift of Understanding | Gift of Wisdom |
| THE TWELVE FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST (a brief coverage of all 12 Fruits) |
| PRAYERS TO THE HOLY GHOST | NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST |
WORDS OF WARNING!
Before we go any further, a WORD OF WARNING needs to be said! The Gifts of the Holy Ghost might sound like human virtues―fear, piety, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, understanding and wisdom―but they are not human virtues. They are divine actions by the Holy Ghost that make us think and act in a supra-human way and much more perfectly than if we were merely using our human virtues of the same name. Therefore, mere human knowledge is far inferior to the Holy Ghost’s Gift of Knowledge, whereby the Holy Ghost directly informs our mind without any need on our part for research, study, analysis, reasoning, consultation, etc. A simple stupid analogy would be along the lines of not having to work out math problems because you are given the answer key. Or not having to walk to work because someone takes you to work in their car. Or not having to swim across a lake because someone loans you their boat. Some of the early Fathers of the Church compare the Gifts of the Holy Ghost to the invisible wind that blows into the sails of a ship and pushes it along in the direction the wind is blowing―but, before that can happen, we have to have sails on the mast and those sails must be unfurled. If we play our part, the Holy Ghost will play His part! This applies to all the Gifts of the Holy Ghost―even though they sound like everyday human actions, they are not human actions but divine interventions and actions by the Holy Ghost.
ANOTHER WARNING is the fact that, even though you received the dormant seeds of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost together with sanctifying grace in your Baptism; and even though those dormant seeds were activated when you received the Sacrament of Confirmation; this DOES NOT MEAN that they will always and automatically work for you! The Seven Gifts―even though you have them in your soul―will usually only be activated by the Holy Ghost if He sees that you are serious about your spiritual life and are making progress in the acquisition and practice of the virtues: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked! For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap! ... He who sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly! … For he that sows in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption! But he that sows in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting!” (Galatians 6:7-8; 2 Corinthians 9:6). God is not going to reward a stubborn sinner, or a lukewarm person, or a spiritually negligent person by giving them some of His choicest Gifts! On the contrary, God says: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold, nor hot. I would thou wert cold, or hot! But, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of My mouth!” (Apocalypse 3:15-16). Which boss is going to reward an employee who is lazy, negligent, offensive and a thief? Rather than reward such an employee, he is more likely to fire him!
So let us proudly presume and expect the Holy Ghost to reward our abuse of the spiritual life through indifference, neglect, laziness, worldliness or lukewarmness―for then the Holy Ghost will leave us to ourselves and our own puny human power! As you sow, so shall you reap!
ANOTHER WARNING is the fact that, even though you received the dormant seeds of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost together with sanctifying grace in your Baptism; and even though those dormant seeds were activated when you received the Sacrament of Confirmation; this DOES NOT MEAN that they will always and automatically work for you! The Seven Gifts―even though you have them in your soul―will usually only be activated by the Holy Ghost if He sees that you are serious about your spiritual life and are making progress in the acquisition and practice of the virtues: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked! For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap! ... He who sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly! … For he that sows in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption! But he that sows in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting!” (Galatians 6:7-8; 2 Corinthians 9:6). God is not going to reward a stubborn sinner, or a lukewarm person, or a spiritually negligent person by giving them some of His choicest Gifts! On the contrary, God says: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold, nor hot. I would thou wert cold, or hot! But, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of My mouth!” (Apocalypse 3:15-16). Which boss is going to reward an employee who is lazy, negligent, offensive and a thief? Rather than reward such an employee, he is more likely to fire him!
So let us proudly presume and expect the Holy Ghost to reward our abuse of the spiritual life through indifference, neglect, laziness, worldliness or lukewarmness―for then the Holy Ghost will leave us to ourselves and our own puny human power! As you sow, so shall you reap!
THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST
4. THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE
4. THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE
A Lack of Fortitude Today
Perhaps one of the most keenly felt absences, experienced in the world today, is that of a lack of fortitude. Yet, paradoxically, there is some fortitude to be found, but in the wrong areas. You will find lots of “NO FEAR” T-SHIRTS, but perhaps they should add a few words to make it: “NO FEAR OF OFFENDING GOD”. There is a widespread ‘fortitude’ in ignoring Almighty God and His Commandments, but there is a lack of fortitude in standing up for God and His teachings. There is a ‘fortitude’ among those who are responsible for the increasing violence and other crimes that plague us today; but a lack of fortitude in practicing virtue in the face of an ever-increasing atheistic, barbaric, cynical, mocking and threatening world. There is a ‘fortitude’ among many teenagers in arguing with their parents; but a lack of fortitude in arguing with non-believers in defense of the Faith. We have come to a time when most flee from God’s idea of fortitude and embrace the world’s idea of fortitude.
Fear and Fortitude—Are They Not Contradictory?
We seemingly have two Gifts of the Holy Ghost that could cancel out each other—The Gift of Fear and the Gift of Fortitude. This, however, is not the case—for their focal points are different. The Gift of Fear focuses on God—hence, as is seen it its full title “Fear of the Lord.” Whereas the Gift of Fortitude focuses on our battles with our enemies—the devil, the world and the flesh. This can be somewhat seen in Our Lord’s words: “Fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body in Hell” (Matthew 10:28). In face of the world we must be fearless, yet in the face of God we must be fearful.
There Will Be Trouble! But Fear Not!
Our Lord was often telling His followers not to be afraid. Chapter Ten of St. Matthew recalls the words of Our Lord, spoken to His disciples, as He sent them out to preach:
“And having called His Twelve disciples together, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. These Twelve Jesus sent out, commanding them, saying: ‘Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves! Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men! For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues! And you shall be brought before governors and before kings for My sake! The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents and shall put them to death! And you shall be hated by all men for My Name’s sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved! And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another! … Therefore fear them not! …
“And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul―but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body in Hell! Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father knowing. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered! Fear not therefore―better are you than many sparrows! Every one therefore that shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father Who is in Heaven. But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father Who is in Heaven!
“Do not think that I came to send peace upon Earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword! For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law! And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household! He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me! And he that taketh not up his cross, and follows Me, is not worthy of Me! He that finds his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for Me, shall find it!” (Matthew 10:1-39).
Frightened Followers
Despite Our Lord’s assurances, His followers were not exempt from fear.
► As Jesus was first choosing and gathering His future Apostles, He brought about a miraculous catch of fish for Simon Peter―which struck fear in all. Jesus allayed their fears, saying: “Fear not! From henceforth thou shalt catch men!” (Luke 5:10).
► On another occasion they were all fearfully caught up in a storm on the lake: “And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but Jesus was asleep. And they came to Him, and awakened Him, saying: ‘Lord, save us! We perish!’ And Jesus said to them: ‘Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?’ Then rising up He commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: ‘What manner of man is this? For the winds and the sea obey Him!’” (Matthew 8:24-27).
St. Mark’s account is as follows: “Jesus was in the ship and there were other ships with Him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled with water. And He was in the rear part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awakened Him, and said to Him: ‘Master, does it not concern Thee that we perish?’ And rising up, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea: ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was made a great calm. And He said to them: ‘Why are you fearful? Have you not faith yet?’ And they feared exceedingly and they said one to another: ‘Who is this that both wind and sea obey Him?’” (Mark 4:36-40).
► When Jesus cured the man from palsy, “All were astonished … and they were filled with fear” (Luke 5:26). He raises from the dead, the son of the widow of Naim, “and there came a fear on them all” (Luke 7:16). He casts out a legion of devils from a possessed man and “all the multitude besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear” (Luke 8:37).
► Even before the Passion, His Apostles saw Him walking on water and were afraid: “And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: ‘It is an apparition!’ And they cried out for fear” (Matthew 14:26). Jesus had to calm them down, and said: “Be of good heart! It is I, fear ye not!” (Matthew 14:27).
► In this same incident, Peter begins to walk on water also, but “But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). Our Lord rebukes Peter, saying: “O thou of little faith!”
► At the Transfiguration, there came “a voice out of the cloud, saying: ‘This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased! Hear ye Him!’ And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, ‘Arise, and fear not!’” (Matthew 17:5-7).
► Speaking of the end times, Jesus says: “When you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, fear ye not! For such things must needs be, but the end is not yet” (Mark 13:7).
► As the Passion approached, Our Lord’s words concerning His imminent sufferings made the disciples afraid: “And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem: and Jesus went before them, and they, following, were afraid. And taking the Twelve, He began to tell them the things that should befall Him, saying: ‘Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes and ancients, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles! And they shall mock Him, and spit on Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him!’” (Mark 10:32-34).
► Our Lord Himself was afraid: “And they came to a farm called Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples: ‘Sit you here, while I pray’! And He taketh Peter and James and John with Him; and He began to fear and to be heavy” (Mark 14:32-33). The Apostles also fell into fear: “And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow [from fear]” (Luke 22:45).
► After the crucifixion, the disciples locked themselves away for fear of the Jews: “the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).
► After His resurrection, He again causes fear. The women had come to His tomb and found only an empty tomb and angel: “And the angel answering, said to the women: ‘Fear not you! For I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified’” (Matthew 28:5). “But they going out, fled from the sepulcher. For a trembling and fear had seized them: and they said nothing to any man; for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8). Then Jesus appears to them next, saying: “Fear not! Go, tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, there they shall see Me!’” (Matthew 28:10).
► After Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven, the Apostles and disciples once more returned to the safety of the Upper Room and locked themselves in. When the Holy Ghost came, He fortified them and, as Our Lady revealed to the Venerable Mary of Agreda: “They all left the house of the Cenacle and, placing themselves before the multitudes, began to preach the mysteries of the Faith and of eternal life. Though until then they had been so shy and seclusive, they now stepped forth with unhesitating boldness and poured forth burning words, that like a flashing fire penetrated to the souls of their hearers” (The Mystical City of God, Ven. Mary of Agreda).
Fear Not!
“Fear not, Mary!” The angelic words were more than a comfort, they were a confirmation of God’s presence and help. Mary must have heard them with some reassurance. For these were indeed familiar words―“Fear not!” They had rung out loud from Holy Scripture for many centuries. Isaias says, seeing the Messias through the veil of prophecy: “Fear ye not the reproach of men, and be not afraid of their blasphemies” … “Fear not, for I am with you.” They would be echoed again and again in the Psalms of David, particularly in those that looked to the Savior: “I will not fear thousands” … “For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me” … “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear ... of whom shall I be afraid ... My heart shall not fear” … “Therefore we shall not fear when the Earth shall be troubled …. The God of Jacob is our protector” … “I will not fear what flesh can do against me!”
The Gospel story gives us a hint of the frequency with which that “Fear not” fell from the divine lips of the Savior. The gloom of the Upper Room, where the Apostles faced the fact of separation from the Master, after the crucifixion, tells us something of what that steady reassurance ― “Fear not” — had meant to the hearts of men. The apostolic courage, that conquered the world for Christ, tells us beyond all doubt of the effectiveness of the “Fear not” assurance of God. There are indeed things to fear, attacks to face, burdens to be borne before which millions of men and women will cringe and flee. Nevertheless―fear not, be of good heart, have courage! Why? Because you are weaklings, timid, cowardly, unable to stand on your own feet? Not at all. No! The reason that fear arises and needs to be calmed is because you have things to do that are much too much for the strength of men―heights to scale, choices to make, time and sorrow to batter down for eternity and joy; because, in a word, you are to walk―on a divine and not merely human level―to a destiny that properly belongs to God and one that He is willing to share with you―but that destiny must be battled for and conquered: “The life of man upon Earth is a warfare!” (Job 7:1) … “Fight the good fight of Faith! Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called!” (1 Timothy 6:12) … “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away” (Matthew 11:12) ― all of that takes a fortitude that is beyond mere human fortitude, it requires the Gift of Fortitude.
Courage, My Friend!
That courage within a man’s own soul is essential if he is to follow Christ. For Our Lord’s “Fear not” was not at all a divine molly-coddling of the weakness of men. The words “Fear not” must be heard in union with His prophecy, even His promise, of a terrifying violence. He told the Apostles what they could expect from the world they were to conquer—persecution, exile, suffering, and death: “If you had been of the world, the world would love its own! But because you are not of the world―for I have chosen you out of the world―therefore the world hateth you!” (John 15:19). “You shall be hated by all men and all nations for My Name’s sake! ... Many shall betray one another and shall hate one another! … You shall be brought before governors and before kings for My sake! They will deliver you up in councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall put you to death! The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death; and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents and shall put them to death! But he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved!” (Matthew 10:17-22; 24:9-10). They would meet violence as inevitably and as consistently as a man meets the strong headwind walking or driving down a road.
What is more, they would travel with violence being their close companion, they would not only meet violence, but to also bring it to bear on the world. They were not only to stand up under suffering, they were to be the violent ones, before whom the powers of evil would flinch and flee: “Do not think that I came to send peace upon Earth! I came not to send peace, but the sword!” (Matthew 10:34) … “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away” (Matthew 11:12). For it was His own clear statement that told them He had come to bring the sword into this world, that the kingdom of Heaven suffered violence, that it would be the violent who would bear it away. To take up a cross and follow Him would take courage: not only the courage to bear up under the cross, but the courage to bring that cross to men and women across the world, across the ages.
Kinds of Fortitude
There are several kinds of fortitude—(1) Acquired Fortitude, (2) Infused Fortitude, (3) the Gift of Fortitude. There is a great difference between the potentials of the acquired virtue, the infused virtue, and the Gift of Fortitude, even though the three share the same name. Thus:
(a) Natural or Acquired Fortitude strengthens the soul for undertaking the greatest labors and for exposing oneself to the greatest dangers—as is seen in the lives of many pagan heroes—but not without a certain fear or anxiety that proceeds from the clear perception of the weakness of one’s own human powers, which are the only powers that are utilized by the acquired virtue of fortitude.
(b) Infused Fortitude, which is a supernatural virtue, relies on the Divine help, but it operates in a human mode, that is to say, according to the light of human reason illuminated by Faith, which does not rid the soul completely of all fear. The virtue of Fortitude perseveres in doing good, while advancing along the steep, slippery, precarious path to Heaven, and guarding against the sinful pleasures of life on the one hand, while remaining undaunted by its difficulties on the other. But even here, man has a certain limit beyond which he cannot go. How well St. Paul knew it, when he cried for help to our Lord against the attacks of Satan! “There was given me a sting of my flesh―an angel of Satan―to buffet me. For which thing three times I begged the Lord that it might depart from me. And He said to me: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee―for power is made perfect in infirmity!’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
Yes, God alone is all-powerful―man, even at his best, has a limited sphere of action. A strong man may lift a weight of five hundred pounds, but he will not lift a ton (2,000 lbs). In exorcisms, the devil often manifests a superhuman strength in the possessed person―as one exorcist priest says: “I’ve seen an 80-pound woman lift up a 200-pound man!” When asked if it was true that people in the grips of possession have superhuman strength, he replied: “They have that plus the strength of five individuals who would be their weight size!” But anything Satan can do, God can do better. When God steps in―then the sky is the limit: “The things that are impossible with men, are possible with God!” (Luke 18:27). This “making the impossible possible” God did in the case of Samson, when Samson pulled up the gate-posts and tore down the gates of the city of Gaza, and then carried them around 35 miles to the top of a hill: “Samson took both the doors of the city gate, with the posts thereof, and the bolt, and laying them on his shoulders, carried them up to the top of the hill, which looks towards Hebron” (Judges 16:3). Archeologists and scientists ― based upon what was found in archeological excavations and what they know from other excavations ― have estimated that that the minimum weight of the gates and gateposts would have been around 5,000 lbs (2½ tons) and possibly as much as 10,000 lbs (5 tons) if the gates were built to give maximum security with bronze plating. To give you an idea by comparing it to the weight of modern day cars―small cars usually way around 2,500 lbs; large cars about 4,200 lbs; SUVs or trucks can range from 3,500 pounds to over 6,000 lbs.
(c) The Gift of Fortitude, on the other hand, enables the soul to undertake the greatest work and expose itself to the greatest dangers, with a great confidence and security, because the Holy Ghost Himself moves the soul—not through the dictates of simple prudence, but through the lofty direction of the Gift of Counsel, that is, through reasons that are entirely Divine.
We need special assistance from on high. If we are in the state of grace, we receive it. It is the Gift of Fortitude. However, it must be stressed again, the Gifts of the Holy Ghost only really start to ‘kick-in’ after we have passed a decent amount of time in the apprenticeship of working on our virtues—most people don’t do this. By means of the Gift of Fortitude, the soul, aided by the Holy Ghost, overcomes all the obstacles in the pathway of salvation, it avoids all the allurements of the world to evil, it overcomes the well-nigh invincible passions that threaten its eternal happiness even at the very latest breath. It is a Gift beyond human strength, often even it would seem to perform actions contrary to those which human nature is wont to perform, such, for instance, as martyrdom. It is not content with doing what is easy, it seeks what is more difficult.
Nature of the Gift of Fortitude
The Gift of Fortitude is a supernatural habit that strengthens the soul for the practice, under the movement of the Holy Ghost, of every type of heroic virtue, with invincible confidence of overcoming any dangers or difficulties that may arise. Let us explain this definition a little, word by word.
“It is a supernatural habit” ― like the other gifts and infused virtues.
“That strengthens the soul” ― Its precise function is to elevate the powers of the soul to a divine plane.
For the practice, “under the movement of the Holy Ghost”: The operation of this gift, as of the other gifts, is always under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, in such way that the soul does not reason or discourse, but acts by a kind of instinctive interior impulse, that proceeds directly from the Holy Ghost.
“Of every type of heroic virtue” ― Although the virtue of Fortitude has the same name as the Gift of Fortitude by which it is perfected, the Gift of Fortitude extends to all the heroic actions of the other virtues, because this heroism demands an extraordinary fortitude that is beyond the power of the unaided virtue alone.
Father Lallemant writes of this Gift that it is: “An habitual disposition which the Holy Spirit communicates to the soul and to the body both to do and to suffer extraordinary things; to undertake the most arduous actions; to expose ourselves to the most formidable dangers; to undergo the most toilsome labors; to endure the most grievous pains, and that with constancy and heroism” (Spiritual Teaching, p. 156).
“With invincible confidence” ― This is one of the clearest marks of distinction between the virtue of Fortitude and the Gift of Fortitude. The virtue of Fortitude, says St. Thomas (Summa, IIa-IIae, q. 139, art. 1, ad 1), also gives strength to the soul for overcoming obstacles, but it is the Gift of Fortitude alone that imparts the invincible confidence of success.
Addressing this point, Father Arrighini writes: “Despite the similarity of the definition, the Gift of Fortitude should not be confused with the cardinal virtue of the same name. Although both suppose a certain firmness and energy of spirit, the virtue of Fortitude has its limits in human power, which it cannot surpass; the gift, on the contrary, relies on the Divine power, according to the words of the Prophet: ‘Through my God I shall go over a wall’ (Psalm 17:30), that is, I will overcome all obstacles in order to reach the final end.
“Secondly, if the Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude gives enough courage to face such obstacles in general, it does not infuse the confidence to face and overcome all of them, as the analogous Gift of the Holy Ghost does.
“Moreover, the virtue of Fortitude, precisely because it is limited by human power, does not extend equally to all kinds of difficulties. For this reason, there are people who easily overcome the temptations of pride but not those of the flesh, or who avoid a certain kind of danger but not another, and so on. The Gift of Fortitude, on the other hand, relying completely on the Divine omnipotence, extends to everything, suffices for everything, and makes one exclaim with Job: ‘Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man’s hand fight against me’ (Job 17:3).
Finally, the virtue of Fortitude does not always attain its object, as it is not proper to man to overcome all dangers and win all battles. But God can easily do this, and since the Gift of Fortitude infuses in us the Divine power, with it man can readily overcome all dangers and enemies, fight and win every battle, and repeat with the Apostle: “I can do all things in him who strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
The Virtue Strengthened by the Gift
The Virtue of Fortitude enables us to pursue the difficult good on the spiritual journey. The Gift of Fortitude, however, pushes us much further. It gives energy to overcome major obstacles in the way of spiritual growth; it is an enormous reinforcement of the natural and infused Virtue of Fortitude.
There is, for example, the Virtue of Christian courage, or Fortitude, which equips a man to endure the extreme of danger and difficulty, even the danger of death. The Gift of the Holy Ghost, bring about the perfection of this Virtue of Fortitude, enables a man to stride into those dangers with the confidence of God; indeed, by the Gift of Fortitude, he truly escapes those dangers, not only in the triumphant climax of divine action, which gives him eternal life and the end of all dangers; but here and now the divine power eliminates the danger and all fear of it.
Early Martyrs Did Not Run From Lions
We have no record of the early Christian martyrs running in terror from the lions; yet often enough it was witnessed that the lions did retreat from so tough a specimen as an early Christian―to whom death was no longer a danger, but an invitation to eternal life. When the truth of history trickles out from under the Iron Curtain, and modern-day Communism, that hide the horrors of modern martyrdom from our eyes, we shall have even more abundant evidence of the work of the Gift of Fortitude than ever was furnished by the bloody persecutions of Rome.
As in the early ages of the Church, so today the calm strength of divine courage is not less in the living than in the dying; a truth seen clearly enough in Communist countries and pagan countries, where the living must “shield the flame of the faith” with their bodies. Yet is it no less clearly to be seen by the observant in the faithful of Western Europe and America where the defense of truth and morals has the apparent hopelessness of a fight against an enshrouding fog or an entwining serpent. Many will be surprised to know that the last two centuries have seen more martyrs for Christ than all the other centuries combined together! This is an age for the Gift of Fortitude―as is any age―where the world howls again in favor of Barabbas, rather than Christ, and blasphemously calls down on itself the Blood of God: “The whole people answering, said: ‘His blood be upon us and our children!’” (Matthew 27:25).
More Strength in Suffering Than Attacking
If action requires strength, if the affair of our salvation demands the supernatural aid of Fortitude, this need is magnified when we consider what we have to suffer: “With fear and trembling work out your salvation” (Philippians 2:12). In the eyes of the world, it is the strong who attack, and the more feeble ones who have to endure the attack. However, St. Thomas puts forth many reasons showing how much more strength is required for suffering or endurance than for action. To attack is to throw oneself into peril, but to support the shock is more noble, more difficult, more perfect. Hence, it is commonly said, that the best army is not the one that is most zealous in combat, but the one that is most enduring in the fatigue from combat.
A Battle Like No Other
In this war, which, unlike earthly warfare, is not measured by hours and days; in this battle where each day dawns only to bring to light new and more terrible temptations; in this contest where at every move we are hindered by the flesh, the world and the devil, we find human strength is but a weakness; and that human prowess, is but fear; and human valor, more like cowardice; and human endeavor, nothing but impotence.
There surely is a strength beyond human strength. Without this superior strength, suffering is unbearable, but with this superior strength, life is sweet. “I can do all things in Him Who strengths me!” says St. Paul―it was that Gift of Fortitude which enabled him to fight the good fight of his apostolate and to win the glorious crown of justice. The Apostle’s words are, moreover, a true expression of the nature of the Gift of Fortitude―which overcomes all obstacles with a positive assurance of final success.
The Gift of Fortitude, then, is a divine power, a perfection of the will, a perfection of human fortitude, a perfection also of the Virtue of Fortitude, enabling the faithful soul to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, with full confidence in Him in the hour of temptation, with great steadfastness in difficulties and with patient endurance in sufferings, and all this to the end of life’s journey, to the end of the road which leads to Heaven. Action and suffering; attacking and suffering attacks; are the effects of this Gift of Fortitude; action and suffering in the cause of extraordinary undertakings are its characteristic notes.
Fortitude Against the Triple Enemy—Flesh, World, Devil
“The life of man upon Earth is a warfare!” (Job 7:1). “The prince of this world … your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour!” (John 14:30; 1 Peter 5:8). “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places!” (Ephesians 6:12). “Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus! No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses; so that he may please Him to Whom he hath engaged himself” ― namely God (2 Timothy 2:3-4). “For all that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life―which is not of the Father, but is of the world!” (1 John 2:16). “For they that are according to the flesh, mind the things that are of the flesh … The wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God―for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be. And they who are in the flesh, cannot please God!” (Romans 8:5-8). “Keep yourself unspotted from this world!” (James 1:27).
We have to act, and vigorously, against our own flesh: “the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life”—that part of our being which is always hankering after pleasure, always seeking its ease, always hungry, always thirsty, always craving to be pampered, desiring honor, praise and fame; hungry for wealth and possessions. Each and every one of these is a serious disorder; each draws us away from the path to Heaven.
If there is one thing more than another that the saints themselves found nearest the realms of impossibility, it was, surely, that of keeping the body in subjection, not by stifling its natural wants, but by curbing its unruly whims. It cost them years of labor, many a sacrifice and many a drop of blood. And they were saints. What, then, might not be said of the work ordinary Catholics are called upon to perform in virtue of their religion? What of inordinate love, vanity, anger, insubordination, avarice?
Next to the flesh come the false pretenses and glaring fascinations of the world. It is a second, but not a secondary enemy. It coaxes us to incline to its follies, to cast ourselves into its outstretched arms, to go with it to parties, dances, movies and all the other worldly pastimes that distract us from God and take us away from our spiritual and religious duties and obligations to God. We refuse but it keeps insisting, trying to convince us that it’s okay. Again we refuse, and we are called old-fashioned, “not with the times”, or even fanatical, radical and unfit for human society. The idol of pleasure, entertainment, amusement and fun is ever tantalizing us. We have to live in the midst of a furnace of luxury and materialism without being burned, of fascination without being bewitched; we must conquer without even giving an inch.
We must face the demon, too! He, who conquered a third of the heavenly host, is not certainly not ashamed nor afraid to cross swords with men. We must throw down the gauntlet. It is not sufficient to be on the defensive, we must attack him. Being a mastermind of intelligence, he would like to outscore us―on his side is the experience of having tempted souls in all the ages since Adam’s fall; and we have merely a few years of experience under our belt, resting upon a very flimsy knowledge of the Faith. This is a gigantic task, absolutely above our strength―even when fortified by virtues. And if we are ever to be victorious in the struggle, the Gift of Fortitude will be the one to be thanked.
True Strength
As already stated above―in the affair of our salvation, much more strength is required for suffering or endurance than for action. To support the shock is more noble, more difficult, more perfect. That is why the best army is not the one that is most zealous in combat, but the one that is most enduring in the fatigue from combat.
In the combat for salvation, what must we suffer? Rather, what must we not suffer? Our life from cradle to grave is but a chain of acute sufferings of soul and body. Man is weakness itself—a “leaf carried by every wind” (Job 13:25). Nevertheless, we must resist. Measure your weakness, measure the enterprise, and you will find the measure of force needed.
Thanks to this Gift of Fortitude, the world, for twenty centuries has seen incredible marvels of endurance. That is even without recalling the astounding examples of Catholic sufferings borne patiently and for God. We all know them, and at the very mention thousands of examples come to our mind, where this superhuman strength aids weak and frail human beings in their struggle for Heaven.
Perhaps one of the most keenly felt absences, experienced in the world today, is that of a lack of fortitude. Yet, paradoxically, there is some fortitude to be found, but in the wrong areas. You will find lots of “NO FEAR” T-SHIRTS, but perhaps they should add a few words to make it: “NO FEAR OF OFFENDING GOD”. There is a widespread ‘fortitude’ in ignoring Almighty God and His Commandments, but there is a lack of fortitude in standing up for God and His teachings. There is a ‘fortitude’ among those who are responsible for the increasing violence and other crimes that plague us today; but a lack of fortitude in practicing virtue in the face of an ever-increasing atheistic, barbaric, cynical, mocking and threatening world. There is a ‘fortitude’ among many teenagers in arguing with their parents; but a lack of fortitude in arguing with non-believers in defense of the Faith. We have come to a time when most flee from God’s idea of fortitude and embrace the world’s idea of fortitude.
Fear and Fortitude—Are They Not Contradictory?
We seemingly have two Gifts of the Holy Ghost that could cancel out each other—The Gift of Fear and the Gift of Fortitude. This, however, is not the case—for their focal points are different. The Gift of Fear focuses on God—hence, as is seen it its full title “Fear of the Lord.” Whereas the Gift of Fortitude focuses on our battles with our enemies—the devil, the world and the flesh. This can be somewhat seen in Our Lord’s words: “Fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body in Hell” (Matthew 10:28). In face of the world we must be fearless, yet in the face of God we must be fearful.
There Will Be Trouble! But Fear Not!
Our Lord was often telling His followers not to be afraid. Chapter Ten of St. Matthew recalls the words of Our Lord, spoken to His disciples, as He sent them out to preach:
“And having called His Twelve disciples together, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. These Twelve Jesus sent out, commanding them, saying: ‘Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves! Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men! For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues! And you shall be brought before governors and before kings for My sake! The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents and shall put them to death! And you shall be hated by all men for My Name’s sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved! And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another! … Therefore fear them not! …
“And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul―but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body in Hell! Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father knowing. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered! Fear not therefore―better are you than many sparrows! Every one therefore that shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father Who is in Heaven. But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father Who is in Heaven!
“Do not think that I came to send peace upon Earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword! For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law! And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household! He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me! And he that taketh not up his cross, and follows Me, is not worthy of Me! He that finds his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for Me, shall find it!” (Matthew 10:1-39).
Frightened Followers
Despite Our Lord’s assurances, His followers were not exempt from fear.
► As Jesus was first choosing and gathering His future Apostles, He brought about a miraculous catch of fish for Simon Peter―which struck fear in all. Jesus allayed their fears, saying: “Fear not! From henceforth thou shalt catch men!” (Luke 5:10).
► On another occasion they were all fearfully caught up in a storm on the lake: “And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but Jesus was asleep. And they came to Him, and awakened Him, saying: ‘Lord, save us! We perish!’ And Jesus said to them: ‘Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?’ Then rising up He commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: ‘What manner of man is this? For the winds and the sea obey Him!’” (Matthew 8:24-27).
St. Mark’s account is as follows: “Jesus was in the ship and there were other ships with Him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled with water. And He was in the rear part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awakened Him, and said to Him: ‘Master, does it not concern Thee that we perish?’ And rising up, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea: ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was made a great calm. And He said to them: ‘Why are you fearful? Have you not faith yet?’ And they feared exceedingly and they said one to another: ‘Who is this that both wind and sea obey Him?’” (Mark 4:36-40).
► When Jesus cured the man from palsy, “All were astonished … and they were filled with fear” (Luke 5:26). He raises from the dead, the son of the widow of Naim, “and there came a fear on them all” (Luke 7:16). He casts out a legion of devils from a possessed man and “all the multitude besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear” (Luke 8:37).
► Even before the Passion, His Apostles saw Him walking on water and were afraid: “And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: ‘It is an apparition!’ And they cried out for fear” (Matthew 14:26). Jesus had to calm them down, and said: “Be of good heart! It is I, fear ye not!” (Matthew 14:27).
► In this same incident, Peter begins to walk on water also, but “But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). Our Lord rebukes Peter, saying: “O thou of little faith!”
► At the Transfiguration, there came “a voice out of the cloud, saying: ‘This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased! Hear ye Him!’ And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, ‘Arise, and fear not!’” (Matthew 17:5-7).
► Speaking of the end times, Jesus says: “When you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, fear ye not! For such things must needs be, but the end is not yet” (Mark 13:7).
► As the Passion approached, Our Lord’s words concerning His imminent sufferings made the disciples afraid: “And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem: and Jesus went before them, and they, following, were afraid. And taking the Twelve, He began to tell them the things that should befall Him, saying: ‘Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes and ancients, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles! And they shall mock Him, and spit on Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him!’” (Mark 10:32-34).
► Our Lord Himself was afraid: “And they came to a farm called Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples: ‘Sit you here, while I pray’! And He taketh Peter and James and John with Him; and He began to fear and to be heavy” (Mark 14:32-33). The Apostles also fell into fear: “And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow [from fear]” (Luke 22:45).
► After the crucifixion, the disciples locked themselves away for fear of the Jews: “the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).
► After His resurrection, He again causes fear. The women had come to His tomb and found only an empty tomb and angel: “And the angel answering, said to the women: ‘Fear not you! For I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified’” (Matthew 28:5). “But they going out, fled from the sepulcher. For a trembling and fear had seized them: and they said nothing to any man; for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8). Then Jesus appears to them next, saying: “Fear not! Go, tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, there they shall see Me!’” (Matthew 28:10).
► After Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven, the Apostles and disciples once more returned to the safety of the Upper Room and locked themselves in. When the Holy Ghost came, He fortified them and, as Our Lady revealed to the Venerable Mary of Agreda: “They all left the house of the Cenacle and, placing themselves before the multitudes, began to preach the mysteries of the Faith and of eternal life. Though until then they had been so shy and seclusive, they now stepped forth with unhesitating boldness and poured forth burning words, that like a flashing fire penetrated to the souls of their hearers” (The Mystical City of God, Ven. Mary of Agreda).
Fear Not!
“Fear not, Mary!” The angelic words were more than a comfort, they were a confirmation of God’s presence and help. Mary must have heard them with some reassurance. For these were indeed familiar words―“Fear not!” They had rung out loud from Holy Scripture for many centuries. Isaias says, seeing the Messias through the veil of prophecy: “Fear ye not the reproach of men, and be not afraid of their blasphemies” … “Fear not, for I am with you.” They would be echoed again and again in the Psalms of David, particularly in those that looked to the Savior: “I will not fear thousands” … “For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me” … “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear ... of whom shall I be afraid ... My heart shall not fear” … “Therefore we shall not fear when the Earth shall be troubled …. The God of Jacob is our protector” … “I will not fear what flesh can do against me!”
The Gospel story gives us a hint of the frequency with which that “Fear not” fell from the divine lips of the Savior. The gloom of the Upper Room, where the Apostles faced the fact of separation from the Master, after the crucifixion, tells us something of what that steady reassurance ― “Fear not” — had meant to the hearts of men. The apostolic courage, that conquered the world for Christ, tells us beyond all doubt of the effectiveness of the “Fear not” assurance of God. There are indeed things to fear, attacks to face, burdens to be borne before which millions of men and women will cringe and flee. Nevertheless―fear not, be of good heart, have courage! Why? Because you are weaklings, timid, cowardly, unable to stand on your own feet? Not at all. No! The reason that fear arises and needs to be calmed is because you have things to do that are much too much for the strength of men―heights to scale, choices to make, time and sorrow to batter down for eternity and joy; because, in a word, you are to walk―on a divine and not merely human level―to a destiny that properly belongs to God and one that He is willing to share with you―but that destiny must be battled for and conquered: “The life of man upon Earth is a warfare!” (Job 7:1) … “Fight the good fight of Faith! Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called!” (1 Timothy 6:12) … “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away” (Matthew 11:12) ― all of that takes a fortitude that is beyond mere human fortitude, it requires the Gift of Fortitude.
Courage, My Friend!
That courage within a man’s own soul is essential if he is to follow Christ. For Our Lord’s “Fear not” was not at all a divine molly-coddling of the weakness of men. The words “Fear not” must be heard in union with His prophecy, even His promise, of a terrifying violence. He told the Apostles what they could expect from the world they were to conquer—persecution, exile, suffering, and death: “If you had been of the world, the world would love its own! But because you are not of the world―for I have chosen you out of the world―therefore the world hateth you!” (John 15:19). “You shall be hated by all men and all nations for My Name’s sake! ... Many shall betray one another and shall hate one another! … You shall be brought before governors and before kings for My sake! They will deliver you up in councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall put you to death! The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death; and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents and shall put them to death! But he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved!” (Matthew 10:17-22; 24:9-10). They would meet violence as inevitably and as consistently as a man meets the strong headwind walking or driving down a road.
What is more, they would travel with violence being their close companion, they would not only meet violence, but to also bring it to bear on the world. They were not only to stand up under suffering, they were to be the violent ones, before whom the powers of evil would flinch and flee: “Do not think that I came to send peace upon Earth! I came not to send peace, but the sword!” (Matthew 10:34) … “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away” (Matthew 11:12). For it was His own clear statement that told them He had come to bring the sword into this world, that the kingdom of Heaven suffered violence, that it would be the violent who would bear it away. To take up a cross and follow Him would take courage: not only the courage to bear up under the cross, but the courage to bring that cross to men and women across the world, across the ages.
Kinds of Fortitude
There are several kinds of fortitude—(1) Acquired Fortitude, (2) Infused Fortitude, (3) the Gift of Fortitude. There is a great difference between the potentials of the acquired virtue, the infused virtue, and the Gift of Fortitude, even though the three share the same name. Thus:
(a) Natural or Acquired Fortitude strengthens the soul for undertaking the greatest labors and for exposing oneself to the greatest dangers—as is seen in the lives of many pagan heroes—but not without a certain fear or anxiety that proceeds from the clear perception of the weakness of one’s own human powers, which are the only powers that are utilized by the acquired virtue of fortitude.
(b) Infused Fortitude, which is a supernatural virtue, relies on the Divine help, but it operates in a human mode, that is to say, according to the light of human reason illuminated by Faith, which does not rid the soul completely of all fear. The virtue of Fortitude perseveres in doing good, while advancing along the steep, slippery, precarious path to Heaven, and guarding against the sinful pleasures of life on the one hand, while remaining undaunted by its difficulties on the other. But even here, man has a certain limit beyond which he cannot go. How well St. Paul knew it, when he cried for help to our Lord against the attacks of Satan! “There was given me a sting of my flesh―an angel of Satan―to buffet me. For which thing three times I begged the Lord that it might depart from me. And He said to me: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee―for power is made perfect in infirmity!’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
Yes, God alone is all-powerful―man, even at his best, has a limited sphere of action. A strong man may lift a weight of five hundred pounds, but he will not lift a ton (2,000 lbs). In exorcisms, the devil often manifests a superhuman strength in the possessed person―as one exorcist priest says: “I’ve seen an 80-pound woman lift up a 200-pound man!” When asked if it was true that people in the grips of possession have superhuman strength, he replied: “They have that plus the strength of five individuals who would be their weight size!” But anything Satan can do, God can do better. When God steps in―then the sky is the limit: “The things that are impossible with men, are possible with God!” (Luke 18:27). This “making the impossible possible” God did in the case of Samson, when Samson pulled up the gate-posts and tore down the gates of the city of Gaza, and then carried them around 35 miles to the top of a hill: “Samson took both the doors of the city gate, with the posts thereof, and the bolt, and laying them on his shoulders, carried them up to the top of the hill, which looks towards Hebron” (Judges 16:3). Archeologists and scientists ― based upon what was found in archeological excavations and what they know from other excavations ― have estimated that that the minimum weight of the gates and gateposts would have been around 5,000 lbs (2½ tons) and possibly as much as 10,000 lbs (5 tons) if the gates were built to give maximum security with bronze plating. To give you an idea by comparing it to the weight of modern day cars―small cars usually way around 2,500 lbs; large cars about 4,200 lbs; SUVs or trucks can range from 3,500 pounds to over 6,000 lbs.
(c) The Gift of Fortitude, on the other hand, enables the soul to undertake the greatest work and expose itself to the greatest dangers, with a great confidence and security, because the Holy Ghost Himself moves the soul—not through the dictates of simple prudence, but through the lofty direction of the Gift of Counsel, that is, through reasons that are entirely Divine.
We need special assistance from on high. If we are in the state of grace, we receive it. It is the Gift of Fortitude. However, it must be stressed again, the Gifts of the Holy Ghost only really start to ‘kick-in’ after we have passed a decent amount of time in the apprenticeship of working on our virtues—most people don’t do this. By means of the Gift of Fortitude, the soul, aided by the Holy Ghost, overcomes all the obstacles in the pathway of salvation, it avoids all the allurements of the world to evil, it overcomes the well-nigh invincible passions that threaten its eternal happiness even at the very latest breath. It is a Gift beyond human strength, often even it would seem to perform actions contrary to those which human nature is wont to perform, such, for instance, as martyrdom. It is not content with doing what is easy, it seeks what is more difficult.
Nature of the Gift of Fortitude
The Gift of Fortitude is a supernatural habit that strengthens the soul for the practice, under the movement of the Holy Ghost, of every type of heroic virtue, with invincible confidence of overcoming any dangers or difficulties that may arise. Let us explain this definition a little, word by word.
“It is a supernatural habit” ― like the other gifts and infused virtues.
“That strengthens the soul” ― Its precise function is to elevate the powers of the soul to a divine plane.
For the practice, “under the movement of the Holy Ghost”: The operation of this gift, as of the other gifts, is always under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, in such way that the soul does not reason or discourse, but acts by a kind of instinctive interior impulse, that proceeds directly from the Holy Ghost.
“Of every type of heroic virtue” ― Although the virtue of Fortitude has the same name as the Gift of Fortitude by which it is perfected, the Gift of Fortitude extends to all the heroic actions of the other virtues, because this heroism demands an extraordinary fortitude that is beyond the power of the unaided virtue alone.
Father Lallemant writes of this Gift that it is: “An habitual disposition which the Holy Spirit communicates to the soul and to the body both to do and to suffer extraordinary things; to undertake the most arduous actions; to expose ourselves to the most formidable dangers; to undergo the most toilsome labors; to endure the most grievous pains, and that with constancy and heroism” (Spiritual Teaching, p. 156).
“With invincible confidence” ― This is one of the clearest marks of distinction between the virtue of Fortitude and the Gift of Fortitude. The virtue of Fortitude, says St. Thomas (Summa, IIa-IIae, q. 139, art. 1, ad 1), also gives strength to the soul for overcoming obstacles, but it is the Gift of Fortitude alone that imparts the invincible confidence of success.
Addressing this point, Father Arrighini writes: “Despite the similarity of the definition, the Gift of Fortitude should not be confused with the cardinal virtue of the same name. Although both suppose a certain firmness and energy of spirit, the virtue of Fortitude has its limits in human power, which it cannot surpass; the gift, on the contrary, relies on the Divine power, according to the words of the Prophet: ‘Through my God I shall go over a wall’ (Psalm 17:30), that is, I will overcome all obstacles in order to reach the final end.
“Secondly, if the Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude gives enough courage to face such obstacles in general, it does not infuse the confidence to face and overcome all of them, as the analogous Gift of the Holy Ghost does.
“Moreover, the virtue of Fortitude, precisely because it is limited by human power, does not extend equally to all kinds of difficulties. For this reason, there are people who easily overcome the temptations of pride but not those of the flesh, or who avoid a certain kind of danger but not another, and so on. The Gift of Fortitude, on the other hand, relying completely on the Divine omnipotence, extends to everything, suffices for everything, and makes one exclaim with Job: ‘Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man’s hand fight against me’ (Job 17:3).
Finally, the virtue of Fortitude does not always attain its object, as it is not proper to man to overcome all dangers and win all battles. But God can easily do this, and since the Gift of Fortitude infuses in us the Divine power, with it man can readily overcome all dangers and enemies, fight and win every battle, and repeat with the Apostle: “I can do all things in him who strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
The Virtue Strengthened by the Gift
The Virtue of Fortitude enables us to pursue the difficult good on the spiritual journey. The Gift of Fortitude, however, pushes us much further. It gives energy to overcome major obstacles in the way of spiritual growth; it is an enormous reinforcement of the natural and infused Virtue of Fortitude.
There is, for example, the Virtue of Christian courage, or Fortitude, which equips a man to endure the extreme of danger and difficulty, even the danger of death. The Gift of the Holy Ghost, bring about the perfection of this Virtue of Fortitude, enables a man to stride into those dangers with the confidence of God; indeed, by the Gift of Fortitude, he truly escapes those dangers, not only in the triumphant climax of divine action, which gives him eternal life and the end of all dangers; but here and now the divine power eliminates the danger and all fear of it.
Early Martyrs Did Not Run From Lions
We have no record of the early Christian martyrs running in terror from the lions; yet often enough it was witnessed that the lions did retreat from so tough a specimen as an early Christian―to whom death was no longer a danger, but an invitation to eternal life. When the truth of history trickles out from under the Iron Curtain, and modern-day Communism, that hide the horrors of modern martyrdom from our eyes, we shall have even more abundant evidence of the work of the Gift of Fortitude than ever was furnished by the bloody persecutions of Rome.
As in the early ages of the Church, so today the calm strength of divine courage is not less in the living than in the dying; a truth seen clearly enough in Communist countries and pagan countries, where the living must “shield the flame of the faith” with their bodies. Yet is it no less clearly to be seen by the observant in the faithful of Western Europe and America where the defense of truth and morals has the apparent hopelessness of a fight against an enshrouding fog or an entwining serpent. Many will be surprised to know that the last two centuries have seen more martyrs for Christ than all the other centuries combined together! This is an age for the Gift of Fortitude―as is any age―where the world howls again in favor of Barabbas, rather than Christ, and blasphemously calls down on itself the Blood of God: “The whole people answering, said: ‘His blood be upon us and our children!’” (Matthew 27:25).
More Strength in Suffering Than Attacking
If action requires strength, if the affair of our salvation demands the supernatural aid of Fortitude, this need is magnified when we consider what we have to suffer: “With fear and trembling work out your salvation” (Philippians 2:12). In the eyes of the world, it is the strong who attack, and the more feeble ones who have to endure the attack. However, St. Thomas puts forth many reasons showing how much more strength is required for suffering or endurance than for action. To attack is to throw oneself into peril, but to support the shock is more noble, more difficult, more perfect. Hence, it is commonly said, that the best army is not the one that is most zealous in combat, but the one that is most enduring in the fatigue from combat.
A Battle Like No Other
In this war, which, unlike earthly warfare, is not measured by hours and days; in this battle where each day dawns only to bring to light new and more terrible temptations; in this contest where at every move we are hindered by the flesh, the world and the devil, we find human strength is but a weakness; and that human prowess, is but fear; and human valor, more like cowardice; and human endeavor, nothing but impotence.
There surely is a strength beyond human strength. Without this superior strength, suffering is unbearable, but with this superior strength, life is sweet. “I can do all things in Him Who strengths me!” says St. Paul―it was that Gift of Fortitude which enabled him to fight the good fight of his apostolate and to win the glorious crown of justice. The Apostle’s words are, moreover, a true expression of the nature of the Gift of Fortitude―which overcomes all obstacles with a positive assurance of final success.
The Gift of Fortitude, then, is a divine power, a perfection of the will, a perfection of human fortitude, a perfection also of the Virtue of Fortitude, enabling the faithful soul to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, with full confidence in Him in the hour of temptation, with great steadfastness in difficulties and with patient endurance in sufferings, and all this to the end of life’s journey, to the end of the road which leads to Heaven. Action and suffering; attacking and suffering attacks; are the effects of this Gift of Fortitude; action and suffering in the cause of extraordinary undertakings are its characteristic notes.
Fortitude Against the Triple Enemy—Flesh, World, Devil
“The life of man upon Earth is a warfare!” (Job 7:1). “The prince of this world … your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour!” (John 14:30; 1 Peter 5:8). “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places!” (Ephesians 6:12). “Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus! No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses; so that he may please Him to Whom he hath engaged himself” ― namely God (2 Timothy 2:3-4). “For all that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life―which is not of the Father, but is of the world!” (1 John 2:16). “For they that are according to the flesh, mind the things that are of the flesh … The wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God―for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be. And they who are in the flesh, cannot please God!” (Romans 8:5-8). “Keep yourself unspotted from this world!” (James 1:27).
We have to act, and vigorously, against our own flesh: “the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life”—that part of our being which is always hankering after pleasure, always seeking its ease, always hungry, always thirsty, always craving to be pampered, desiring honor, praise and fame; hungry for wealth and possessions. Each and every one of these is a serious disorder; each draws us away from the path to Heaven.
If there is one thing more than another that the saints themselves found nearest the realms of impossibility, it was, surely, that of keeping the body in subjection, not by stifling its natural wants, but by curbing its unruly whims. It cost them years of labor, many a sacrifice and many a drop of blood. And they were saints. What, then, might not be said of the work ordinary Catholics are called upon to perform in virtue of their religion? What of inordinate love, vanity, anger, insubordination, avarice?
Next to the flesh come the false pretenses and glaring fascinations of the world. It is a second, but not a secondary enemy. It coaxes us to incline to its follies, to cast ourselves into its outstretched arms, to go with it to parties, dances, movies and all the other worldly pastimes that distract us from God and take us away from our spiritual and religious duties and obligations to God. We refuse but it keeps insisting, trying to convince us that it’s okay. Again we refuse, and we are called old-fashioned, “not with the times”, or even fanatical, radical and unfit for human society. The idol of pleasure, entertainment, amusement and fun is ever tantalizing us. We have to live in the midst of a furnace of luxury and materialism without being burned, of fascination without being bewitched; we must conquer without even giving an inch.
We must face the demon, too! He, who conquered a third of the heavenly host, is not certainly not ashamed nor afraid to cross swords with men. We must throw down the gauntlet. It is not sufficient to be on the defensive, we must attack him. Being a mastermind of intelligence, he would like to outscore us―on his side is the experience of having tempted souls in all the ages since Adam’s fall; and we have merely a few years of experience under our belt, resting upon a very flimsy knowledge of the Faith. This is a gigantic task, absolutely above our strength―even when fortified by virtues. And if we are ever to be victorious in the struggle, the Gift of Fortitude will be the one to be thanked.
True Strength
As already stated above―in the affair of our salvation, much more strength is required for suffering or endurance than for action. To support the shock is more noble, more difficult, more perfect. That is why the best army is not the one that is most zealous in combat, but the one that is most enduring in the fatigue from combat.
In the combat for salvation, what must we suffer? Rather, what must we not suffer? Our life from cradle to grave is but a chain of acute sufferings of soul and body. Man is weakness itself—a “leaf carried by every wind” (Job 13:25). Nevertheless, we must resist. Measure your weakness, measure the enterprise, and you will find the measure of force needed.
Thanks to this Gift of Fortitude, the world, for twenty centuries has seen incredible marvels of endurance. That is even without recalling the astounding examples of Catholic sufferings borne patiently and for God. We all know them, and at the very mention thousands of examples come to our mind, where this superhuman strength aids weak and frail human beings in their struggle for Heaven.