The Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude perfects the natural human virtue of fortitude or courage. The Holy Spirit helps those who trust in Him to do great things joyfully. These deeds may not be noticed by the world but are great in the sight of our heavenly Father “who sees all that is done in secret.” (Mat 6:4)

The gift of fortitude is offered to all, young and old. It does not depend on our human talents or gifts but on the grace of God which is given freely. Sometimes we need fortitude simply to avoid sin and remain in a state of grace; we also need this gift to carry out good works of charity and sometimes to endure in the spiritual life in spite of opposition.

The Church looks especially to her martyrs as examples of the highest fortitude. Pope St John Paul canonised 120 martyrs from China, headed by St Augustine Zhao Rong, a soldier who converted to the Catholic faith. The list includes St Anna Wang who at the age of 14 who not only refused to renounce her faith when threatened, but even led other Catholics in prayer during the night before they faced execution. Her example shows how the grace of the Holy Spirit can overcome all human considerations of strength or weakness, and triumph in the power and glory of the Cross.

In the ordinary circumstances of everyday life, we must pray for the fortitude to resist temptations to sin, to remain patient when we suffer, especially when we encounter opposition or ridicule for our faith. The Holy Spirit will also give us the strength to dare to do more than we thought we could in the service of God, both in our own spiritual life and in witness to others.