May 14, 2014 - Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in the Vatican on Wednesday,
dedicating his catechesis to Fortitude, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The weekly public meeting is an opportunity for pilgrims and tourists visiting Rome
to see and hear the Pope, and also receive his blessing. The general audience of
May 14th in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square began with aides reading a passage
from the Book of Psalms. Listen:
Pope Francis then delivered
his main discourse in Italian - summaries of which were read out by aides in various
languages, including in English. But first, the aide greeted the Pope on behalf of
the English-speaking pilgrims. Listen:
… Dear
Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the seven gifts of the Holy
Spirit, we now turn to the gift of fortitude. We have
seen that the first three gifts of the Spirit – wisdom, understanding
and counsel – enable us to contemplate God’s loving
plan and to know his will. Through the gift of fortitude, we receive
the strength to do God’s will in spite of our own natural weakness
and limitations. In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus
teaches us that the seed of God’s word sown in our hearts can encounter
not only interior resistance, but also be choked by life’s sufferings
and trials. Through the gift of fortitude, the Holy Spirit enables
us to remain faithful amid every difficulty and – as the experience
of so many Christians around the world shows – even
amid persecution and martyrdom. For most of us, the gift
of fortitude is exercised in our patient pursuit of holiness in the circumstances
of our daily lives. Whenever we feel weary or discouraged
along the journey of faith, let us ask the Holy Spirit to grant us
the gift of fortitude, to refresh us and to guide our steps
with renewed enthusiasm.
Pope Francis then greeted the English-speaking
pilgrims in Italian. Listen:
… I greet all the
English-speaking pilgrims taking part in today’s Audience, including those
from England and Wales, Sweden, Denmark, India, the Philippines, China,
Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Canada and the United States.
Upon all of you, and upon your families, I invoke the joy and peace
of the Risen Lord. God bless you all! (BLESSING)