Question II: On the gift of fortitude

THE GIFT of fortitude is a habit existing, as in a subject, in the will, insofar as it is engaged about arduous things, and it easily makes it mobile for repelling fears and repressing daring, with the hope of escaping any perils whatsoever, which the virtue does not furnish. Hence the soul is better disposed by the gift of fortitude toward every arduous thing than by any moral virtue. Therefore through this fortitude the Saints wrought marvelous works of fortitude, enduring with exultation, Act. 5. They went rejoicing from the sight of the Council, because they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. Thus Blessed Andrew hastened joyfully to the Cross, Agatha to prison. This gift, in the apex of perfection, which the Holy Doctor calls of the purified soul, renders the soul, as it were, insensible amid perils and other evils, and feasting and exulting amid delights. See the Holy Doctor de septem Donis, de Dono fortitudinis, cap. 2. et 3. bringing forth splendid things.