Wisdom Gifted by the Spirit

Unbound editor Loretta Shea Kline shares the story of a priest whose grandmother was influential in fostering his vocation.

Wisdom is the first of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit that come from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and are articulated in Catholic tradition. It helps us determine what’s important, meaningful and worth doing.

At Unbound, we believe in the wisdom of families, particularly mothers, in knowing what their children need to thrive. That’s why mothers of sponsored children are leaders in our programs around the world.

In my editor’s role, I’ve read countless stories of young people raised by mothers or grandmothers who taught them what’s truly important in life. One such story is of Father Aiden, a Catholic priest in Uganda.

null

Father Aiden was sponsored through Unbound starting in the third grade. One of 11 children, he lived with his hardworking, prayerful, loving grandmother who encouraged him and his cousin in all they did.

“She used to teach us how to pray,” he said. “She used to teach us how to love one another, how to work and always trust in God for his providence and care. … I cherish and value what my grandmother imparted in me.”

Father Aiden’s grandmother passed away last year at the age of 109. Today, as part of his priestly ministry, Father Aiden encourages young people to visit the elderly, listen to their stories and soak in all the wisdom they can.

Click to tweet:
As part of his priestly ministry, Father Aiden encourages young people to visit the elderly, listen to their stories and soak in all the wisdom they can. #CatholicMom

Pope Francis encouraged us to do the same in his 2018 book, Sharing the Wisdom of Time, for which 23 elders sponsored through Unbound shared their stories. The pope said that wisdom means “bearing your own identity, accepting yourself through and through, being proud of yourself no matter what.”

Elders with many years behind them have lived into their identities over a long time. ... They have to reckon with their lives and how they have lived. Elders carry this wisdom in their dreams: it is their history, their very own story.

In seeking the gift of wisdom, may we draw inspiration from the stories of people like Father Aiden and his grandmother, learn from them and come to view our own stories with pride.

null