Grace Thompson
In Catholic theology, there are three categories of virtues: Cardinal Virtues, Theological Virtues, and Capital Virtues. The Cardinal Virtues are four moral virtues that form the foundation for the others. They are prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. The Theological Virtues are faith, hope, and charity (or love). These virtues are considered gifts from God, bestowed upon us at Baptism, and they guide us toward eternal happiness and union with God. The Capital Virtues, also known as the Seven Lively Virtues, stand in opposition to the seven deadly sins and include chastity, temperance, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility. These virtues guide Catholics in their daily lives, shaping their actions and interactions with others, and are considered the building blocks for moral living.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Virtues | Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Fortitude |
| Theological Virtues | Faith, Hope, Charity/Love |
| Other Virtues | Humility, Patience, Obedience, Chastity, Piety, Veracity, Diligence, Kindness |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cardinal Virtues
The Cardinal Virtues are four moral virtues that form the foundation for all other virtues. The term "cardinal" comes from the Latin "cardo", which means "hinge", reflecting the fact that all other virtues hinge on these four.
The Cardinal Virtues are:
Prudence
Prudence is the ability to discern the appropriate course of action in a given situation. St. Thomas Aquinas considered it the primary cardinal virtue because it is concerned with the intellect. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation.
Justice
Justice is the virtue that demands that we give everyone exactly what is due to them. This includes both God and our fellow human beings. It is concerned with rights, and so natural rights always come before legal rights, as in the right to life of babies.
Fortitude
Fortitude is another word for courage. It is the virtue that allows us to overcome our fears and continue in our Christian tasks. It enables us to conquer fear, even the fear of death, and to persevere in the pursuit of good.
Temperance
Temperance is the virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It is also known as restraint, self-control, or moderation, helping us to subdue our sensual appetites and make proper use of God's creatures.
Nuns and Alcohol: What's the Catholic Stance?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Theological Virtues
The Catholic Church recognizes three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity (or love). These virtues are considered gifts from God, and they are essential for Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity.
Faith is the theological virtue that allows us to believe in God and accept the truths He has revealed. It is described in Hebrews 11:1 as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is an intellectual virtue that leads us to recognize God's infallibility and our firm belief in Him and His Church. This faith should manifest in our daily lives and how we treat others, guiding our actions and devotions.
Hope is the theological virtue that gives us the desire for eternal life in heaven and trust in Jesus. It helps us maintain focus on our eternal goal, especially during challenging times, and enables us to trust in Christ's promises. Hope sustains us during times of abandonment and keeps us from discouragement.
Charity, or love, is the theological virtue that fulfills the two greatest commandments revealed by Jesus. It involves loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Charity is a choice to act lovingly towards others, regardless of our feelings, and it is a difficult but fruitful practice.
These theological virtues are not acquired through human effort but are infused into the souls of the faithful by God. They are the foundation of Christian moral activity and guide all other virtues.
The Capitalization of "Father" in Catholic Tradition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Justice
In the Bible, the just man is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbour. This is reflected in the Bible verse: "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven".
My Catholic Identity: How It Affects My Life
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Temperance
The simplest definition of temperance is "the virtue which moderates in us the inordinate desire for sensible pleasure, keeping it within the limits assigned by reason and faith". Temperance is about exercising self-control and moderation, especially when it comes to food and drink, and venereal pleasures. It is not about abstinence or joyless consumption but about using all things in moderation and directing pleasurable things in life towards our salvation and the salvation of others. This virtue sometimes leads us to forego even permissible pleasures for the sake of the greater good that transcends this world and is found in greater union with God.
Abstinence and chastity are considered chief and ordinary phases of temperance. Abstinence prescribes the restraint employed in the partaking of food and drink, while chastity regulates the sensual satisfactions connected with the propagation of the human species. Temperance is not about fanaticism or insensibility but about imposing the norm of reason on our desires.
Practicing temperance helps develop character and spiritual courage, enabling us to endure sufferings, setbacks, and contradictions. It goes against the worldly mentality of immediate and constant self-gratification. Temperance is about finding joy in the salvation of others and in greater union with God, rather than in earthly pleasures.
In conclusion, temperance is a vital virtue in the Catholic Church, helping individuals moderate their desires, practice self-control, and find true joy in salvation and union with God.
Catholic Legislators in New York State: A Breakdown
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![A Question of Faith [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81M0I2oEwwS._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Faith
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that faith, hope, and love (charity) dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. The three theological virtues are considered to be the product of habitual grace, which allows humanity to act beyond their natural abilities.
The seven capital virtues, or remedial virtues, are those that stand in opposition to the seven deadly sins. They are chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility.
Catholics in Bahamas: A Growing Community
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Cardinal Virtues are four moral virtues that form the foundation for all other virtues. They are: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.
The Theological Virtues are: faith, hope, and love (or charity). These virtues are considered gifts from God at Baptism, and their purpose is to lead us back to God.
The Capital Virtues, also known as the Seven Lively Virtues, are considered the opposite of the seven deadly sins. They are: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility.
![Finding Faith [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71teRY+YW0L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
