the gift of Fortitude that no fear or earthly preoccupations would ever separate me from You
The gift of fortitude enables a person “to overcome difficulties or to endure pain and suffering with the strength and power infused by God.” Through fortitude, the Holy Spirit inspires and energizes a person to undertake great things joyfully and without fear despite obstacles.
As with the other gifts, fortitude operates under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, so it perfects the virtue of fortitude, charging it with energy, endurance, perseverance and promptness. It strengthens a person to resist evil, to overcome lukewarmness and persevere to everlasting life. Moreover, it brings a confidence of success and certain hope, despite the most difficult circumstances.
For example, St. Maximilian Kolbe not only had great fortitude to offer his life promptly in exchange for another and to endure a horrible death, but also had the confidence of success that he would overcome the powers of evil and gain everlasting life. Saint Teresa of Kolkata generously spent her life and persevered in her work among “the poorest of the poor,” day in and day out, despite dangers, weariness and overwhelming circumstances.
The gift of fortitude enables the individual to live the other virtues heroically. A person can cultivate this virtue by recognizing one’s own weaknesses and limitations, begging for the gift of fortitude, and relying on the strength of Our Lord Jesus Himself.
The soul can foster the gift of fortitude by keeping to a spiritual regimen: taking time to pray throughout the day, including 15 minutes devoted to prayer and studying or doing spiritual reading for 15 minutes; making a confession monthly; attending Sunday Mass, and even daily Mass once a week; and making a regular, even daily, examination of conscience.
Another part of this spiritual regimen would be to make a purposeful sacrifice daily (e.g. giving up a dessert or a drink or doing an act of charity), for a special intention, like the poor souls in purgatory or the Christians suffering persecution.
If we can be faithful and do our duty in “little things,” more likely we will do the same in “big things.”