Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The prophet Isaiah in his eleventh chapter (Is. 11:1-2) speaks out about the Messiah (Anointed or Christ) who will possess the fullness of the Spirit and his Sevenfold Gifts. Jesus reveals to us in the discourse beginning His public life in the synagogue at Nazareth: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me..." (Lk. 4)
The very word "Christ" means "Anointed One." The Father is the One Who anoints, Christ is the One Who is anointed, and the anointing is the Holy Spirit. We as baptized Christians share in the anointing of Christ, the Anointed One. In such a manner, at Baptism we receive the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and at Confirmation we are united more firmly to Christ and these seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are increased in us. This teach is brought out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"The Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations." (CCC #1831)
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are qualities infused into one's soul by the Holy Spirit. They are distinct from the infused virtues especially in that the infused virtues operate in a human mode; that is, they are set in motion by use of reason enlightened by faith. However, the gifts of the Holy Spirit operate in a supernatural mode - they are not initiated by the use of reason with faith but rather by the Holy Spirit Himself.
In this regard they actually perfect the virtues in us and allow us to readily obey divine inspirations. They are the means that God uses to make us saints, to allow us to become divinized.. While there is nothing that we can do to cause the gifts of the Holy Spirit latent in us to become active, we can cooperate with God's grace to dispose ourselves to their actuation.
The Gift of Understanding gives us a deeper insight into the divine truths of faith. It discloses to the soul the hidden meaning of Scripture and reveals the mysterious significance of many of the symbols and figures used there. This gift corresponds to the beatitude of the pure of heart. Those who possess purity in heart begin to see God, even now, in all that happens to us.
The Gift of Knowledge allows us to judge correctly concerning the truths of faith in accord with their proper causes. It makes us see the emptiness of created things and the necessity of placing our complete trust in God. As this gift shows us the gravity of sin, it corresponds with the beatitude of those who weep for their sins.
The Gift of Wisdom is given that we may judge and order all things in accord with God's commands. It is the ability to have the Holy Spirit "see in us" as God sees. This is the highest of the gifts as it gives a quasi-experimental knowledge of God and thus directs us the other gifts. The gift of wisdom elevates the virtue of charity to heroism and causes the person to live the mysteries of faith in an entirely diving manner. This gift corresponds to the beatitude of the peacemakers as it gives peace and allows the person who has this gift active in them to bring peace to others in time of trouble.
The Gift of Counsel (*Right Judgment) renders the person docile and open to God's counsel with regard to the actions that must be done in light of salvation and one's sanctification. It provides a solution to many difficult and unexpected situations and problems. This gift is very important for those who must counsel others along their road to holiness. As this gift inclines one's soul to be merciful to others, it corresponds with the beatitude of the merciful .
The Gift of Piety (*Reverence) is given so that one may give filial worship to God as our Father. It places in us a truly filial love for God the Father and it arouses in the soul a filial confidence in Him. It also allows us to relate with others as children of the same Father. As such, this gift corresponds with the beatitude of the meek .
The Gift of Fortitude (*Courage) allows us to overcome great difficulties and gives us a power infused by God to endure pain and suffering with patience and joy. It gives the soul relentless strength in the practice of the virtues and overcomes our lukewarmness in the service of God. This gift is related to the beatitude of those who hunger and thirst after holiness and never become discouraged in their pursuit of it.
The Gift of Fear of the Lord (*Awe In His Presence) is given that we may avoid sin and attachment to creatures out of reverence and love of God. It perfects our hope by preserving us from presumption and it gives us aid against temptations. The gift gives us a lively sentiment of the grandeur and majesty of God and arouses in the soul adoration. The person is led to a great horror for sin and given an extreme vigilance to avoid the occasions of offending God. It corresponds to the beatitude of the poor in spirit who possess the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom.
*Term used in the Rite of Confirmation
For further reference see the following:
Catechism of the Catholic Church by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City, 1992. See paragraphs number 1831 and 1845.
Spiritual Theology by Jordan Aumann, Sheed and Ward, London, 1980. See pages 88-97; 251-258; 293-296; 305-306;311-315.
The Three Ages of the Interior Life , Vol. I, by Garrigou-Lagrange, Tan Publishers, 1989. See pages 66-88.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit / Beatitudes(Mt. 5: 3-10)
Understanding / Pure of Heart
Knowledge / Weep for Sins
Wisdom / Peacemakers
Counsel
(Right Judgment) / Merciful
Piety
(Reverence) / Meek
Fortitude
(Courage) / Hunger and Thirst for Holiness
Fear of the Lord
(Awe in His presence) / Poor in Spirit