The Gift of Fortitude

We have considered fortitude as a virtue. We are tospeak of fortitude now as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.Fortitude as a virtue disposes a person to firmness in good,despite great dangers. Fortitude as a gift of God moves a man tosteadfastness in perils, and gives him confident hope of eternalfife at the last. The gift makes the exercise of the virtue easier,richer, more confident.

The gift of fortitude moves man to virtuous living,which is difficult, and gives him a spiritual desire for “theworks of justice” (as virtuous deeds in general are called).This spiritual desire is comparable to the bodily desire of a manfor food and drink. Thus, the gift of fortitude stands incorrespondence with the fourth beatitude (Matt. 5:6): “Blessedare they that hunger and thirst after justice.”