Theological Virtues Flashcards
What is the definition of the Theological Virtue of Faith?
Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. [CCC 1814]
What is the definition of the Theological Virtue of Hope?
Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. [CCC 1817]
What is the definition of the Theological Virtue of Charity?
Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. [CCC 1822]
What is the definition of Human Virtue?
Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith.
They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good. The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love. [CCC 1804]
What is the definition of 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. (St. Gregory of Nyssa, De beatitudinibus, 1: PG 44, 1200D)
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:8)
[CCC 1803]
What is the definition of the Cardinal Virtues?
Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called “cardinal” [from the latin for “hinge”]; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. “If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom’s] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage.” (Wis 8:7) [CCC 1805]
What is the definition of the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence?
Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it
“The prudent man looks where he is going.” (Prov 14:15) Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II, 47, 2) The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. [CCC 1806]
What is the definition of the Cardinal Virtue of Justice?
Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give God and neighbor their due.
Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. [CCC 1807]
What is the definition of the Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude?
Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.
It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song.” (Ps 118:14) “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) [CCC 1808]
What is the definition of the Cardinal Virtue of Temperance?
Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods.
It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: “Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart.” (Sir 5:2; cf. 37:27-31) Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: “Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites.” (Sir 18:30) In the New Testament it is called “moderation” or “sobriety.” We ought “to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.”(Titus 2:12)
[CCC 1809]
What is needed to acquire and exercise Human Virtues?
The moral virtues grow through education, deliberate acts, and perseverance in struggle. Divine grace purifies and elevates them.
With God’s help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. The virtuous man is happy to practice them.
It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ’s gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil. [CCC 1810-1811]
What is the definition of the Theological Virtues?
The theological virtues dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They have God for their origin, their motive, and their object—God known by faith, God hoped in and loved for his own sake.
The human virtues are rooted in the theological virtues [Faith, Hope and Charity], which adapt man’s faculties for participation in the divine nature: (Cf. 2 Pet 1:4) for the theological virtues relate directly to God. They dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They have the One and Triune God for their origin, motive, and object.
The theological virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity; they animate it and give it its special character. They inform and give life to all the moral virtues. They are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life. They are the pledge of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of the human being. (Cf. 1 Cor 13:13) [CCC 1812-1813]
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Christians are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
