Frequently Asked Questions
about
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• 1. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?"
  
• 2. What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about these gifts?"
  
• 3. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are found in the Holy Bible?"
  
• 4. What is the difference between the gifts mentioned in the Holy Bible versus those in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?"
  

Q. 1. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

A. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are,

wisdom,
understanding,
counsel,
fortitude,
knowledge,
piety, and
fear of the Lord.

Q. 2. What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about these gifts?

A. In paragraphs # 1030-31, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states,

"The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit." (C.C.C. # 1830)

"The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. [Is. 11:1-2] They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path." [Ps. 143:10]

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God ... If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." [Rom. 8:14, 17] (C.C.C. # 1831)

Q. 3. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are found in the Holy Bible?

A. The gifts of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 are,

the utterance of wisdom,
the utterance of knowledge,
faith,
healing,
working of miracles,
prophecy,
discernment of spirits,
various kinds of tongues, and
interpretation of tongues.

Q. 4. What is the difference between the gifts mentioned in the Holy Bible versus those in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

A. The gifts of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "they complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations." (C.C.C. # 1831)

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned in the Holy Spirit are "for the common good." [1 Cor. 12:7]

In other words, those found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church serve the purpose of personal growth. Those found in the Holy Spirit are for the good of the entire Church and they are to be shared with the members of the Church.