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The Cardinal and Theological Virtues

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The Cardinal and Theological Virtues CHOOSING GOOD: THE CARDINAL AND THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES We make a moral choice every time we commit to doing something good or something bad. Using our well-formed conscience and God’s grace to discern and consistently make morally good choices, we develop habits for doing the good. These habits are known as virtues. The Church identifies seven principle virtues, which are divided into two groups known as the Cardinal and Theological Virtues. View the video from Catholic Central for an explanation on each set of virtues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTVNK4g9npo Review each group of virtues and their definitions below. These descriptions, along with the video, will help you with the activity to follow. Remember that putting these virtues into practice in your life will deepen your relationship with Jesus and with others. CARDINAL VIRTUES THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES Available to everyone, they help us in our Infused in to us by God they help us to live relationships with other people. The word in relationship with the Holy Trinity. They “cardinal” means to “hinge” or “pivot”. All of help us recognize our identity as beloved our relationships hinge on our ability to children of God. master these virtues. Prudence – The ability to identify and Faith – Belief in God and all that He has then do the right thing revealed Justice – The will to provide what is due Hope – Confident trust in all of the good to God and our neighbor that God has promised Fortitude – The strength to do the right Charity (Love) – Placing God above all thing even in times of difficulty things and caring for our neighbor as Temperance – The ability to control our ourselves desire for pleasure and material things On the following page, use these seven definitions to identify at least two virtues displayed in each scenario. Check the answer key to confirm your answers. Archdiocese of Washington, Office for Catechesis 2020. Virtues Scenarios 1. Your friends want you to play online video games with them but you have a big test tomorrow. It is important that you do well in your class so you choose to study for the test. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ 2. You are tired on Sunday morning but still get up and go to Mass with your family. You know that it is your duty to give God worship on the Sabbath day. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ 3. A new student arrives at your school in the middle of the year. No one is sitting with him at lunch. You introduce yourself and ask if he wants to eat with you and your friends. You know you would want someone to do the same for you if it were the other way around. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ 4. A classmate is being bullied on social media. You post a comment supporting the person and inform your parents about the bullying even though the bully might make fun of you next. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ 5. A friend asks you about why you go to the sacrament of Reconciliation. You tell them that it is because you believe that God loves you and that He wants to give you His mercy to heal you. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ 6. You are ready to eat your favorite snack when your little sister asks if she can have some. Though you had planned on eating all of it, you gladly share some with her. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ 7. You have to choose which school you are going attend next year. While you are uncertain about which choice will be best, you are confident that God will ensure everything turns out as He knows is best for you. Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________ Archdiocese of Washington, Office for Catechesis 2020. Answer Key In these scenarios, it would have been difficult to select only one virtue. This makes sense because when we live virtuously, we often do not isolate one virtue to the exclusion of others. Read the explanations below to see which virtues are reflected in each scenario. Scenario 1 – The primary virtue displayed is prudence. You have identified that doing well in your class is a priority over playing video games. You then chose to actually study for the test. A second virtue is temperance in that you are depriving yourself of something you like to do - in this case, gaming with your friends. Scenario 2 – One virtue reflected in this scenario is justice. You recognize that you have a responsibility to give God worship. You are giving Him what He is due. Another virtue is charity in that you are placing God above your own wants and desires. A third virtue is temperance because you are limiting the time you spend in bed. Scenario 3 – A key virtue in this scenario is charity. You performed an act of kindness just as you would want someone to do for you. As Jesus taught, we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Additional virtues displayed could be justice or fortitude. We as human beings deserve friendship and respect, so inviting a person to eat with you could be an act of justice. It also though takes some courage to speak to people we don’t know – an act of fortitude. Scenario 4 – One virtue that stands out is fortitude. You stood up for a classmate and informed an adult at the risk of being bullied yourself. Good job, that takes courage. Other virtues are charity and justice. Charity is at work since you prioritized the needs of your classmate above your own. Also, all people are due respect, which means you also acted with justice. Scenario 5 – An important virtue in this scenario is faith. In the sacraments there is an outward sign which signifies an inward grace. When the priest speaks the words of absolution, your soul is being cleansed of sin and you receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Your belief and trust that this is happening within you is an act of faith. A second virtue is hope. You have confident trust that what God has promised through the sacraments will actually happen. Scenario 6 – This scenario is a great example of temperance. This is your favorite snack! It’s been a long day and you were ready to chow down. However, you limited your desire for this snack in order to share some of it with your little sister. Another virtue is charity. You placed your sister’s needs above your own. Scenario 7 – The main virtue here is hope. In this scenario, you are confident and trusting in the future good that God has in store for you. Faith would be an additional virtue since this still involves trust and belief. Hope and faith are like two sides of the same coin. Archdiocese of Washington, Office for Catechesis 2020..
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