Book Access - "The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit" Ch. 6 of "Virtue Stands in the Middle" Dr. Gustafson

Chapter 6 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Dr. Christopher Gustafson, STD is a Catholic theologian in the United States. GPQ did an interview with him in January of 2022 on his upcoming book, Virtue Stands in the Middle, which you can access here. He has graciously offered to share parts of his upcoming book on virtue. The work not only delves in Catholic tradition and teaching on virtue and vice, but offers access to many images of the symbolism and iconographic tradition of the Seven Lady Virtues. Below is access to chapter six.  

"The vices are formidable adversaries in the moral life. So much so that the Christian is in need of special helps to fight against them. To this end, the Holy Spirit gives us seven special gifts to battle against the vices. These gifts support our growth in virtue. While initially given at baptism, they are infused into us in fuller measure at the sacrament of confirmation. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Counselor: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever. . .” (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit fulfils this role as counselor or assistant in part through helping us grow in holiness by means of these gifts. One becomes ever better disposed to the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as one grows in the life of grace. People often confuse the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit with the charismatic gifts or charisms (charismata). While both sets of gifts are attributed to the Holy Spirit, they are very different. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit operate in all baptized Christians in the state of grace. They assist us in the practice of virtue."