We often pray for strength and, at times, courage. Strength for the journey and courage to face what lies ahead. For if we had strength and courage enough, we feel we could face anything. In fact, the Church has a name for this: fortitude. A gift of the Holy Spirit, fortitude is characterized by what St. Thomas Aquinas described as “a firmness of mind and spirit that helps us in difficult situations.” It’s like an armor we wear and a shield we use that cannot be broken. It derives from the Latin word, fortis, meaning: strong, powerful, vigorous, steadfast, courageous and brave.