Virtues are special graces given by God that provide man with the ability and desire make right choices and do good.
Practicing virtue keeps the powers of the soul in proper order and correctly directed by reason so that a happier life is possible.
A virtue is a skill and also the tendency to use that skill appropriately. Virtues can be strengthened with practice or weakened by neglect.
Through Baptism, God directly provides man with three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity.
The four Cardinal or Chief Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance are acquired by regular practice.
Holiness in the habits of everyday life:
The Christian life is about growing in virtue:
A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1803
Virtues perfect the powers of the soul:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4: 4-8
There are cardinal and theological virtues:
Acting according to reason for the true good:
It is through faith that we gain this awareness of the mystery of the Church-mature faith, a faith lived out in our lives. Faith such as this gives us a sensus Ecclesiae, an awareness of the Church, and this is something with which the genuine Christian should be deeply imbued. He has been raised in the school of the divine word, nourished by the grace of the sacraments and the Paraclete’s heavenly inspiration, trained in the practice of the virtues of the Gospel, and influenced by the Church’s culture and community life. He has, moreover, the tremendous joy of sharing in the dignity of the royal priesthood granted to the people of God.
Pope Paul VI, Ecclesiam Suam, August 6, 1964
Becoming who we were meant to be:
Thriving in an environment that supports virtue:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
Life is unfulfilled without knowing Him:
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