The Gift of Counsel

The gifts of the Holy Ghost dispose the soul to actvirtuously in accordance with the movements of grace. Now, as natural counsel is the research of reason (that is, the thinking mind) which precedes the decision of the will, and is therefore a kind of self-advice, so supernatural counsel is the divine advice and guidance imparted by the Holy Ghost. Supernatural counsel is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.

The gifts are, as we have seen, a help to the virtues. The gift of counsel is, in a particular manner, a help to the virtue of prudence.

The blessed in heaven no longer need the guidance ofthe gift of counsel, for their end is attained. Yet the supernatural enlightenment that guided them home remains in them. Therefore, the blessed in heaven retain the gift of counsel.

Counsel shows the way to use means that an end may be attained. Now, the works of mercy, spiritual and corporal, are ofthe greatest service to man as means to get him on to heaven and his last end. Therefore, counsel is particularly concerned with the works of mercy. It is right to say that counsel corresponds to the fifth beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”