They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven. These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation.
These are heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e., his Church). Fear of God is, in this context, “filial” or chaste fear whereby we revere God and avoid separating ourselves from him-as opposed to “servile” fear, whereby we fear punishment (I/II.67.4 II/II.19.9).The Latin word pietas denotes the reverence that we give to our father and to our country since God is the Father of all, the worship of God is also called piety (I/II.68.4 II/II.121.1). Piety is, principally, revering God with filial affection, paying worship and duty to God, paying due duty to all men on account of their relationship to God, and honoring the saints and not contradicting Scripture.Knowledge is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never wander from the straight path of justice (II/II.9.3).Fortitude denotes a firmness of mind in doing good and in avoiding evil, particularly when it is difficult or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of the assurance of everlasting life (I/II.61.3 II/II.123.2 II/II.139.1).Counsel allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation (II/II.52.1).Understanding is penetrating insight into the very heart of things, especially those higher truths that are necessary for our eternal salvation-in effect, the ability to “see” God (I/I.12.5 I/II.69.2 II/II.8.1–3).
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