An Explanation of the Ceremonies and
of the Wonderful Effects of the
Sacrament of Confirmation
By
A Sister of Charity of Providence
HIS SEVENFOLD GIFTS
Having studied the meaning of the outward signs of the Sacrament of Confirmation, let us try now to understand the wonderful gifts which the Holy Spirit increases in us at this time.
They are seven in number, and are first given to us at Baptism, when the
Holy Ghost comes to take up His abode in our heart. They are then, as it v^ere in their infancy, and must be developed through fervent prayer, through the worthy reception of Holy Communion, and devout assistance at Holy Mass, in order that they may produce fruit. They are a wondrous treasure hidden within us, which we may use whenever we will. They enlighten our mind to see God’s Will, and strengthen us to do all that He asks. Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, and Knowledge enlighten our mind. Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord strengthen our will.
The Gift of Wisdom is a taste and desire for all that has to do with God and holy things. Prayer, Holy Mass, Benediction,—all that belongs to God’s service is relished, enjoyed, by those who have a taste for the things of God.
Those who are truly wise value the pleasures, riches, and honors of this world as Jesus valued them. They prefer to be like Him in His privations and sufferings, that they may win souls for Heaven.
The Gift of Understanding helps us to see the meaning and beauty of the truths of our holy Faith, which it thereby strengthens.
Those who understand are obedient to God’s commandments, for they wish to do His Will in every detail. They are glad to be corrected when in fault, for this they consider is a favor. They look upon all trials as proofs of God’s special love. They are glad to hear stories of our Lord’s life, the lessons of which are made ever more clear to them through the help of this gift.
The Gift of Counsel teaches us to seek guidance from God before acting in any important matter, for we realize that we have within us a Guide who will always tell us what to do at the present moment.
Those who use the Gift of Counsel ask for light to know what is the right thing to do in all the trifles of every day about which they may be in doubt. No detail of our life is too small for the Holy Spirit to take an interest in. He loves to have us ask for His light and help in our very least duties; but the evil spirit tries instead to make us hurry when he suggests something that is wrong, so that we will not take time to ask God’s help.
The Gift of Knowledge makes us realize that we are on earth to save our own soul, and the souls of others. This knowledge helps us to use everything around us as a ladder to Heaven. The flowers, the birds, the sun, the rain,—all serve to remind us of the goodness of God, and they cause us to praise Him, for He has made them to help us to know Him better.
Those who are using the Gift of Knowledge see God’s Will in everything that happens. Crosses and disappointments and failures are all accepted as coming directly from His hand, to help us gain greater merit in Heaven, and to be closer to Himself there. They who make use of this gift study our Lord’s life to make it their model. At Bethlehem they learn that it is not riches, nor honor, nor pleasures that are most pleasing to God; at Nazareth, they learn to be obedient as Jesus was; at Calvary, they learn to suffer patiently and to forgive even their enemies as He did.
The Gift of Fortitude gives us strength to do the right thing, no matter how much it may cause us to suffer. It is necessary to every one of us if we would save our soul. Sooner or later trials must come,—unkindness, ridicule, failure, the loss of those we love. Human respect and our own bad passions will stand as difficulties in our way. At prayer, at work, at study, wherever trouble finds us. Fortitude must uphold us, or we shall be faithless to God.
Those who use this gift are strong like the saints and martyrs. They never forget that without God’s help they can do nothing; therefore they call on the Holy Spirit for strength to bear up bravely in every difficulty and to deny themselves courageously. The Holy Spirit never refuses to help His children when they ask Him for these graces.
Let us imitate those, who for the love of God, choose to do little things that they dislike in order to constantly remind themselves of the wonderful power of this gift they have received.
The Gift of Piety fills our heart with tender love for our Father in Heaven, makes us cry to Him in every need, and show Him obedience, reverence, and praise. It is the gift that fills our heart with love for our neighbor, and makes us kind and anxious to help him, because that is the best way to show our love for our Father, who considers what we do for our neighbor as done for Himself.
Those who use the Gift of Piety are careful never to offend such a good Father. They go to Him in all their troubles and needs, and trust Him to care for them. They do for their neighbor all that they would like to do for God, since this is the best way of showing their love for Him.
The Gift of Holy Fear is most precious to us because it fills our heart with a great horror of sin, and a dread of doing the least thing to offend God, our kind and loving Father. By the help of this gift we will keep away from the least occasion of sin,—bad books, bad shows, bad companions,—everything that would cause us to fail in our good resolutions.
Those who use this Gift of Holy Fear listen to God’s warning in their heart when they are about to do wrong, and they do what is right, no matter how much it hurts them. They would rather die than commit a wilful sin. They are obedient to the priest, to their parents, to their teachers, and to all who in any way may hold God’s place. They also show by the way they behave in church, or when they speak to God in prayer, that they revere and love Him too much to do the least thing that would be disrespectful.
Has not our dear God shown Himself very generous in providing each one of His children with such spiritual helps as His sevenfold gifts? They are so strong that they can lead us to the highest degree of holiness, and cause us to love God and do for Him what the saints did.
