Michael Brooks
Teaching children about the seven Catholic virtues is an important part of Catholic parenting. The seven virtues are divided into two groups: the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity (or love); and the four cardinal virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. These virtues are habits that are developed through repeated actions and help to shape a child's heart and character, encouraging them to do good and form meaningful relationships with others and with God. Parents can help children develop these virtues by offering them opportunities to practice goodness and by praying for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Virtues are habits. | Habits take time to develop. |
| Virtues are special graces given by God to the soul for the accomplishment of particular objectives. | Faith, Hope, and Charity are called theological virtues because they are the most important characteristics in a Christian's life. |
| Virtues are subdivided into two groups: Theological Virtues and Cardinal Virtues. | Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity (Love). Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Justice. |
| The theological virtues are supernatural and order us towards God. | Charity is the greatest of the theological virtues. |
| The cardinal virtues are natural and order us towards harmonious living with our fellow men through character formation. | Saints are individuals who exercise virtues to a heroic degree. |
| Moral virtues: Humility, Patience, Obedience, Chastity, Piety, Veracity. |
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What You'll Learn
The seven Catholic virtues: faith, hope, charity, prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice
The seven Catholic virtues are faith, hope, charity, prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. These virtues are important for leading a happy, successful, and virtuous life. They are also important for developing a close relationship with God.
The seven virtues can be divided into two groups: the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues. The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. Faith enables us to believe in God and all that the Church teaches us. It helps us to believe in God's love for us and in his revealed truths. Hope is the grace of trusting that God will save us from eternal death if we turn to him in repentance. Charity is a two-fold grace: it moves the will to love God above all things, and intensifies love for our neighbours.
The four cardinal virtues are prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. Prudence is the grace to form correct judgments. Fortitude is moral courage, and it helps us persevere despite temptations to sin and despair. Temperance helps us subdue our sensual appetites and make proper use of God's creations. Justice assists us in dealing equitably with others.
Developing virtues takes time and practice, and they are much easier to learn when we are young. Parents can encourage their children to develop virtues by offering them opportunities to practice goodness and by praying for them.
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The difference between theological and cardinal virtues
The seven Catholic virtues are subdivided into two groups: the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues.
Theological virtues are so called because they come from God and lead to God. They are supernatural and order us towards God. There are three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity (or love). Faith is believing in God's love and his revealed truths. Hope is trusting that God will save us from eternal death if we turn to him. Charity is choosing to act lovingly towards someone, regardless of how you feel. It is the highest virtue because any other virtue is driven by charity.
On the other hand, cardinal virtues are human virtues acquired through education and good actions. They are natural and order us towards harmonious living with our fellow humans through character formation. The four cardinal virtues are prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. Prudence is the ability to form correct judgments. Fortitude is perseverance in the face of temptations to sin and despair. Temperance is subduing our sensual appetites and making proper use of God's creations. Justice is dealing equitably with others.
Both the theological and cardinal virtues are necessary in the Christian life. They are like habits that need to be practised.
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The importance of developing good habits
The Catholic Church recognizes seven virtues, which are subdivided into two groups: the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and the cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude. These virtues are habits of action, formed through the force of repetition, and they are essential for leading a happy and successful life.
Developing good habits is crucial because it allows us to cultivate virtue and live a virtuous life. According to St. Gregory of Nyssa, "The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God." Virtues are not just abstract concepts; they are meant to be put into practice and lived out in our daily actions. By developing good habits, we can internalize these virtues and make them a natural part of our character.
For children, developing good habits early on gives them a strong foundation for their future. It is easier for children to learn and adopt virtues at a younger age, as their brains are more elastic and receptive to new behaviors. By encouraging them to repeat virtuous actions, parents can help them develop these habits and make virtue second nature. For instance, parents can teach their children the virtue of temperance by modelling moderation and structured use of time, or by encouraging them to take on chores to learn self-discipline and interdependence.
Additionally, parents can help their children develop good habits by offering them opportunities to exercise goodness and make virtuous choices. This proactive approach to parenting allows children to learn from their experiences and grow in their understanding of virtue. It is also important for parents to lead by example, demonstrating virtues like fortitude by choosing to do what is right according to God's will, even in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, developing good habits is of utmost importance in a child's moral and spiritual formation. By encouraging virtue through repeated actions and providing opportunities for growth, parents can help their children internalize these habits and shape their hearts towards God and others.
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How to teach virtues through prayer
Teaching virtues to children is a key element of Catholic parenting. It is about shaping the heart of your child and helping them to develop a pure heart that is open to God's will. The seven Catholic virtues, which are divided into the three theological virtues and the four cardinal virtues, provide a great starting point for parents and educators.
The theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity (love). These virtues are supernatural and direct us towards God. Faith enables us to believe in God and all that the Church teaches us. Hope allows us to trust in God's promise to share his life with us forever and gives us confidence in His love and care. Charity, or love, is exemplified by St Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Philip Neri, who brought joy to others.
The four cardinal virtues are prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. These virtues are natural and help us to live harmoniously with others through character formation. Prudence is "right reason", and it involves knowing what is truly good for us and making plans to do what is right. Fortitude is about having the strength to persevere and can be seen in the lives of saints like St. Joan of Arc. Temperance is about moderation and self-control, as taught by Carlo Acutis. Justice is about giving everyone their due, as demonstrated by St. Joseph.
- Pray for your children and yourself: Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you and your children grow in goodness and become the people God created you to be.
- Praying with saints: Use illustrations or stories of saints praying to create a sense of praying together with these holy ones. For example, depictions of St. Faustina Kowalska praying before Jesus as The Divine Mercy.
- Prayer cards: Download and use prayer cards, such as the Act of Faith and Act of Hope Prayer Cards, to reinforce specific virtues.
- Prayer templates: Provide children with prayer templates or index cards to write their own simple prayers. On one side, they can write the name of the virtue they want to cultivate, and on the other, a short prayer asking for God's help in practising that virtue. For example, "God, help me grow in [PRUDENCE]. I need to practice this virtue when making decisions."
- Scripture-based prayers: Read Scripture stories and ask children to reflect on how the characters in the stories showed virtue or needed virtue. For example, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite needed the theological virtue of charity. Then, invite them to write prayers related to these virtues.
- Prayer through play: Use games and play to teach virtues in a fun and interactive way. For example, the Virtues Game helps children experience virtues through play and internalize their meanings.
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Examples of virtuous behaviour in popular culture
When it comes to explaining the Catholic virtues to children, it's important to remember that virtues are habits of action. In other words, a virtuous person consistently behaves in accordance with their moral values. While it may seem challenging to explain these complex concepts to children, there are several ways to make them more accessible and engaging. Here are some examples of virtuous behaviour in popular culture that can help illustrate these ideas:
Superheroes and Courage
Superheroes are a great example of popular figures who embody virtues like courage and selflessness. Superman, for instance, consistently puts others before himself and risks his life to save those in danger. This can be a fun and exciting way to introduce the idea of virtuous behaviour to children.
Animated Movies and Empathy
Many animated movies and TV shows offer opportunities to discuss virtues like empathy and kindness. For example, in the movie "Inside Out," the main character, Riley, struggles with her emotions after moving to a new city. This movie provides a chance to talk about emotional intelligence and the virtue of understanding others' feelings.
Historical Figures and Justice
Learning about historical figures who fought for justice and equality can be inspiring for children. For instance, discussing the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to peaceful protest can introduce the idea of standing up for what is right and just.
Sports Stars and Temperance
Athletes often demonstrate the virtue of temperance, or self-control. They dedicate themselves to rigorous training routines and maintain discipline to excel in their sports. This can be a great way to teach children about the importance of hard work and self-discipline.
Literature and Honesty
Classic literature and fairy tales often explore virtues such as honesty and courage. For example, the story of Pinocchio teaches about the importance of honesty and the consequences of lying. Similarly, characters in the Harry Potter series, like Hermione Granger, embody virtues such as courage and loyalty.
Saints and Faith
Teaching children about saints and their virtuous lives can be a powerful way to introduce Catholic virtues. For instance, the story of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, known for her faith and love, or St. Joan of Arc, renowned for her fortitude, can inspire children to emulate these virtues in their daily lives.
Remember, leading a virtuous life is not just about holding sound moral values but also consistently acting upon them. By providing real-world examples from popular culture, you can help children understand and embody these virtues in their daily lives.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven Catholic virtues, which are habits of action. They are divided into two groups: the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity (love), and the four cardinal virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice.
Theological virtues are supernatural and order us towards God. Faith is the grace to believe in God and all that he has revealed. Hope is the grace of trusting that God will save us from eternal death if we turn to him. Charity is the greatest virtue and has the primary effect of intensifying our love for God and our neighbours.
Cardinal virtues are natural and order us towards harmonious living with our fellow humans through character formation. Prudence is the grace to form correct judgments. Fortitude is moral courage, giving us strength to persevere despite temptations to sin. Temperance is self-control and helps us make proper use of God's creations. Justice assists us in dealing equitably with others.
It is important to start teaching virtues early as they are much easier to learn at a young age. Children can be taught virtues through repeated actions and by offering them opportunities to practice goodness and exercise their virtues. Parents can also pray for their children and teach them to pray, asking for God's help in growing their virtues.
