Day 23: Fortitude (Gift of the Holy Spirit)

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Fortitude is love bearing everything readily for the sake of God. – St Augustine

The gift of Fortitude is a supernatural impulse which gives strength to the soul, not only on exceptional occasions such as that of martyrdom, but also in normal difficulties: in the struggle to remain consistent with one’s principles: in putting up with insults and unjust attacks: in courageous perseverance on the path of truth and uprightness, in spite of lack of understanding and hostility.  When, like Jesus in Gethsemane, we experience “the weakness of the flesh” (Mt 26:41; Mk 14:38), or rather, of human nature subject to physical and psychological infirmities, we should ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of Fortitude to remain firm and decisive on the path of goodness. Then we will be able to repeat with St Paul: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (1 Cor 12:10).  (St John Paul II,  REGINA COELI, Sunday, May 14, 1989).

Do I pray for the gift of fortitude to remain firm in the path of righteousness?

Prayer: Come, O Spirit of Fortitude , give us  strength, constancy and victory in the battle against our spiritual enemies. Father, in the Name of Jesus, send forth Your Spirit and renew the world.  O Mary, who by the work of the Holy Spirit, conceived the Savior, pray for us. (From the Holy Spirit Chaplet, Blessed Elena Guerra, Apostle of the Holy Spirit). 

Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war

Hebrews 10:36 You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised

• Litany of the Holy Spirit
• 500 Praises to the Holy Spirit (Pray a few of them as you can)