Nope, but I would be interested in learning about them, please.
I apologize, in the name of the Church, for this common and tragic reality that you share with so many Catholics today. For so many, the Holy Spirit is almost synonymous with Charismatic Gifts - as if that is all we know of the Spirit. But listen to the very brief passage in the Catechism:
1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David.<Cf. Isa 11:1-2>
They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.
Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.<PS 143:10>
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God . . . If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.<Rom 8:14, 17>
These gifts (or literally, in Isaiah, "spirits") of the Spirit are supernatural gifts/spirits infused in Baptism along with the theological virtues supernatural faith, supernatural hope, and supernatural (divine) charity, and the supernatural moral virtues, and sanctifying grace.
So consider one, just one for now, one combination from the treasure listed above, all infused into the soul in Baptism and intended to remain there, and if these gifts/spirits become actual, and not merely laying dormant in potency, then they can complete and perfect (for example) saving FAITH! And even more important, holy CHARITY. The gift of supernatural wisdom, especially, can do much bringing to
perfection, holy charity. Hearing this, compare the importance of (what many Catholics dwell on extensively - charismatic gifts) - these Isaian gifts are much more important - they are essential - as charity is essential to Christian life! Paul lists several charismatic gifts, but then sets them alongside holy charity. Without holy charity, charisms are nothing:
1Cor 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1Cor 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
I would recommend, as an excellent and solid beginning place to learn more, this short book on the Interior Life by Fr. R. Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. - a true master of the subject.
The Three Conversions in the Spiritual Life
Some of the comments of readers on the Amazon page are very helpful, also, in recommending other of his works.
I have taught on these and I think this subject is important and neglected.
Thanks, Carl. From my experience in the USA, I would say it is worse than important and neglected - these things are crucial - essential! - and ignored.
