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Holy Spirit Bestows Seven Gifts at
Confirmation
One of the major aspects of the Sacrament of Confirmation
are the seven gifts of the Holy
Spirit that are bestowed on the candidate when they
are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The candidate when
participating in Confirmation accepts that their mission
is to be witnesses of Jesus
in their families and communities. And, the reception
of those gifts helps each candidate succeed on their
mission.
The gifts are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude,
counsel, piety and fear of the Lord are the seven
gifts although the gifts will manifest themselves
over the candidates lifetime.
The gift of wisdom gives the confirmed the gift
to see the worlds though Gods eyes and viewpoint. This
will help us to understand the purpose of Gods plan
for us and for the world. The candidate also has the
ability to formulate a historical perspective and help
have an enlightened view of history and how the present
and the past work together and affect the mystery of
the future. This is also known as speculative reason
according to St.
Thomas Aquinas, in Summa Theologica.
The gift of knowledge helps the confirmed use
thoughtful reflection and contemplation on the mystery
of God. It also helps with the mysteries of the Trinity
and as well as the Catholic faith, according to the
United States Catholic Catechism. This gift also helps
draw the candidate to a meditative prayer, meaning the
candidate is open for God to lead them while they are
just quietly listening. Often this is practiced during
Adoration. This is what Aquinas called practical reasoning.
The gift of understanding is to help the candidate
learn themselves and how to grow in knowing God. St.
Augustine used the prayer "That I May know
You, may I know Myself." We are all made in God's
image and as we come to know ourselves we also learn
about God and who he is. This is also what Aquinas
calls common sense.
The gift of fortitude is also known as the courage.
The confirmed can used this gift to stand up for Jesus
and his teaching. According to Aquinas,
this gift is the firmness that is required to do good
and to stand up to evil. This gift is more evident when
the good or evil is particularly more difficult.
The gift of counsel is also known as right judgment
and is the perfection of practical reasoning. And after
the candidates learns though research how the candidate
applies the knowledge. As this gift grows and we are
faced with moral dilemmas we are more apt to make the
better or more moral decision, according to Aquinas.
The gift of piety is the reverence and respect
we show to the Father. Reverence may be learned from
parents and teachers. This gift is often renewed during
liturgy where it is a reminder to teach us reverence.
Aquinas says at the instigation of the Holy Spirit we
pay worship and duty to God as our Father.
And lastly the gift of Fear of the Lord, allows
us the awe of the majesty of God. This also is a what
makes us grateful wonder of God and his love for the
candidate. According to Aquinas this is also the fear
of separating themselves from God.
According to Aquinas the summary of the gifts is that
the first 4 gifts direct the intellect and the last
3 direct the candidates will toward God making the confirmed
a powerful messenger for Christ and His teachings.
Author Resource:- Beth carries a wide selection of confirmation
gifts and Holy
Spirit Jewelry
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