Collations on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Conference V: First Conference on the Gift of Fortitude

ConfeRenCe V: fIRsT ConfeRenCe on THe gIfT of foRTITUDe 1. “Who will find a valiant woman? Her value is far beyond the farthest coasts…. She has sought wool and flax, and has worked with the skill of her hands.”1 “Your neck is like David’s tower which is built with fortifications. A thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armor of valiant men.”2 The second text comes from The Song of Songs. It is spoken to the bride, or to Mother Church whose neck is “like David’s tower” with “a thousand bucklers,” etc. That from which the teaching of truth emerges is called the neck. The neck serves two functions. It serves, namely, to receive food and to produce speech. So Mother Church is called a “neck” because true doctrine emerges from her. Therefore, it says that “a thousand bucklers hang upon it.” Indeed, all the teaching that comes from her serves to strengthen souls. So the text says: “all the armor of valiant men.”3 There is nothing of value for the posses1 See Prov 31:10-13. 2 See Cant 4:4. 3 On Cant 1:9 see Book II of Bede, In Cantica Canticorum allegorica expositio in PL 91:1091D: “‘Your neck is like jewels,’ etc., for through the neck we ingest food to nourish the body and we utter words by which we declare the secrets of our hearts to our neighbors. Wherefore, it is fitting that by the neck the person of teachers in the Church is designated, who instruct the unlettered with the word of edification and by exercising their office hand on to the members of the Holy Church, committed to their care, the food of salvation.” See Bede’s similar commentary on Cant 4:4 (“Your neck is like the tower of David”) in Book III in PL 91:1133A. Collations on the seven Gifts of the holy spirit 108 sion of spiritual strength that is not explained in Sacred Scripture. We must speak about the fourth gift of the Holy Spirit, namely, the gift of fortitude. Let us first ask the Lord.... 2.“Who will find a valiant woman,”etc.This text comes from Proverbs. Without doubt it is said in praise of Mother Church, and especially in praise of the glorious Virgin.4 In this text she is praised for three reasons. First, for the strength of spiritual fortitude; second, for the fruitfulness of her supernatural conceiving; and third, for the wisdom of her saving counsel. The first is indicated when it says: “Who will find a valiant woman,” etc.; the second when it says: “Far beyond the farthest coasts is her price.” The third is indicated when it says: “She has sought wool and flax,” etc. Now we will speak about the gift of fortitude; tomorrow morning about the privilege of fruitfulness; and tomorrow evening, about the gift of counsel. 3. First I say that she is praised for the strength of her spiritual fortitude when it says: “Who will find a valiant woman?” He is searching with confidence and not with despair. Therefore, who will find her? Certainly he who “reaches from end to end.”5 He finds her and sends a 4 See Sermon 37 n. 1 of Augustine in Sermons II (20-50) On the Old Testament. Translation and Notes by Edmund Hill. WSA III/2 (Brooklyn: New City Press, 1990), 184: “Now all of you listeners, it’s quite clear from your response, are saying to yourselves, ‘She must be the Church.’ I support this idea. Who else, after all, could be the mother of the martyrs?” See Bede, De muliere forti libellus in PL 91:1039D: “The Catholic Church is called the strong woman.” See Homilia 2 n. 5 of Bernard, De laudibus Virginis Matris in SBOp 4.24: “’Who will find a valiant woman?’ If the salvation of us all depends on a woman, and the restoration of innocence, and victory over the enemy, it is entirely necessary that a valiant woman be foreseen who could be suitable for such a great work.” 5 See Wis 8:1: “She (Wisdom) reaches, therefore, from end to end mightily and orders all things sweetly.” fortitude – first ConferenCe 109 bridal servant to her, namely, the Archangel Gabriel. The name Gabriel means “strength of God.”6 And he was sent to find a valiant woman. Without doubt, Solomon wished to rest on...