Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. We have considered fortitude as a virtue. We are tospeak of fortitude now as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.Fortitude as a virtue disposes a person to firmness in good,despite great dangers. Fortitude as a gift of God moves a man tosteadfastness in perils, and gives him confident hope of eternalfife at the last. The gift makes the exercise of the virtue easier,richer, more confident.
2. The gift of fortitude moves man to virtuous living,which is difficult, and gives him a spiritual desire for "theworks of justice" (as virtuous deeds in general are called).This spiritual desire is comparable to the bodily desire of a manfor food and drink. Thus, the gift of fortitude stands incorrespondence with the fourth beatitude (Matt. 5:6): "Blessedare they that hunger and thirst after justice."
"The greatest glory we can give to God is to do his will in everything."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."
R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP
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"The essence of perfection is to embrace the will of God in all things, prosperous or adverse. In prosperity, even sinners find it easy to unite themselves to the divine will; but it takes saints to unite themselves to God's will when things go wrong and are painful to self-love. Our conduct in such instances is the measure of our love of God."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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