Choose a topic from Part 2B:

52. The Gift of Counsel

1. The gifts of the Holy Ghost dispose the soul to actvirtuously in accordance with the movements of grace. Now, asnatural counsel is the research of reason (that is, thethinking mind) which precedes the decision of the will, and istherefore a kind of self-advice, so supernatural counselis the divine advice and guidance imparted by the Holy Ghost.Supernatural counsel is one of the seven gifts of the HolyGhost.

2. The gifts are, as we have seen, a help to the virtues.The gift of counsel is, in a particular manner, a help to thevirtue of prudence.

3. The blessed in heaven no longer need the guidance ofthe gift of counsel, for their end is attained. Yet thesupernatural enlightenment that guided them home remains in them.Therefore, the blessed in heaven retain the gift of counsel.

4. Counsel shows the way to use means that an end may beattained. Now, the works of mercy, spiritual and corporal, are ofthe greatest service to man as means to get him on to heaven andhis last end. Therefore, counsel is particularly concerned with theworks of mercy. It is right to say that counsel corresponds to thefifth beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shallobtain mercy."

"O Lord, my God, who will seek you with simple and pure love, and not find that you are all one can desire, for you show yourself first and go out to meet those who seek you? "
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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"Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."
Thomas á Kempis

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"The supreme perfection of man in this life is to be so united to God that all his soul with all its faculties and powers are so gathered into the Lord God that he becomes one spirit with him, and remembers nothing except God, is aware of and recognises nothing but God, but with all his desires unified by the joy of love, he rests contentedly in the enjoyment of his Maker alone."
St Albert the Great

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