Chapter 7 Chapter 7

The Church is holy because it was The Church is holy because it was founded and redeemed by Jesus.founded and redeemed by Jesus.

It is guided by the Holy Spirit, and It is guided by the Holy Spirit, and its members are led to be holy like its members are led to be holy like God.God.

Yet the Church is always in need of Yet the Church is always in need of purification, following the path of purification, following the path of penance and renewalpenance and renewal

Through the seven sacraments, we Through the seven sacraments, we are strengthened in faith and are strengthened in faith and empowered to share in the mission empowered to share in the mission of the Church.of the Church.

Baptism, Confirmation, and the Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist are Sacraments of Initiation.Eucharist are Sacraments of Initiation.

Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick are Sacraments of Healing.are Sacraments of Healing.

Matrimony and Holy Orders are Matrimony and Holy Orders are Sacraments at the Service of Sacraments at the Service of Communion.Communion.

Everyone is called to be holy, and the Everyone is called to be holy, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit help us grow in Gifts of the Holy Spirit help us grow in holiness.holiness.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel (right wisdom, understanding, counsel (right judgment), knowledge, fortitude judgment), knowledge, fortitude (courage), piety (reverence), and fear (courage), piety (reverence), and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe). of the Lord (wonder and awe).

These are seven permanent, spiritual These are seven permanent, spiritual gifts named in the gifts named in the Catechism of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.Catholic Church.

Thomas Moore demonstrated the Thomas Moore demonstrated the gift of wisdom. He was a holy and gift of wisdom. He was a holy and wise man, the chancellor of England wise man, the chancellor of England under King Henry VIII.under King Henry VIII.

Thomas Moore was executed by the Thomas Moore was executed by the king for refusing to sign an oath king for refusing to sign an oath recognizing the king as the head of recognizing the king as the head of the Church.the Church.

Though he had academic difficulties, Though he had academic difficulties, Barney Casey had the gift of Barney Casey had the gift of understanding. understanding.

He had insights into the truths of faith He had insights into the truths of faith and counseled many people. In 1995 and counseled many people. In 1995 the Church recognized his virtue and the Church recognized his virtue and sanctity and declared him venerable, sanctity and declared him venerable, the first step in being declared a saint.the first step in being declared a saint.

Through her gift of counsel, or right Through her gift of counsel, or right judgment, Catherine of Siena judgment, Catherine of Siena convinced the pope to return to convinced the pope to return to Rome after the papacy had resided Rome after the papacy had resided in France for 73 years.in France for 73 years.

It was highly unusual for a woman to It was highly unusual for a woman to have such influence during the have such influence during the Middle Ages.Middle Ages.

Counsel, or right judgment, helps us Counsel, or right judgment, helps us make good decisions and accept our make good decisions and accept our responsibility to care for others.responsibility to care for others.

We use this gift when we seek We use this gift when we seek advice about living our Catholic advice about living our Catholic faith.faith.

Angela Merici had the gift of Angela Merici had the gift of knowledge. She knew God and knew knowledge. She knew God and knew who she was.who she was.

She used her experiences and faith She used her experiences and faith to act according to Jesus’ teachings.to act according to Jesus’ teachings.

Father Miguel Pro showed heroic Father Miguel Pro showed heroic fortitude in giving up his life for fortitude in giving up his life for Christ.Christ.

Fortitude, or courage, is the Fortitude, or courage, is the strength to choose to do the right strength to choose to do the right thing, even when it is difficult.thing, even when it is difficult.

John Chrysostom is an example of the John Chrysostom is an example of the gift of piety, or reverence, a gift of the gift of piety, or reverence, a gift of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit.

John was made bishop of John was made bishop of Constantinople in 398 and rejected the Constantinople in 398 and rejected the privileges of his position. He worked privileges of his position. He worked to reform the clergy, who were to reform the clergy, who were becoming part of the wealthy class.becoming part of the wealthy class.

Fear of the Lord leads us to a sense Fear of the Lord leads us to a sense of wonder and awe in the presence of wonder and awe in the presence of God because we recognize God’s of God because we recognize God’s greatness.greatness.

It allows us to marvel at God’s It allows us to marvel at God’s greatness and keeps us from greatness and keeps us from offending God.offending God.