300. Character

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 300

Ave Maria series

Why do we have to work to form our character?

We must work at forming our character so that we can freely, joyfully, and easily accomplish what is good. A firm faith in God, in the first place, helps us to do this, but also the practice of the virtues, which means developing within ourselves, with God’s help, firm dispositions, not giving ourselves over to disorderly passions, and directing our faculties of intellect and will more and more consistently toward the good.  [1804-1805, 1810-1811, 1834. 1839]

My Mom. …..Since I have known her all my life, I nominate my mother, Irma Rosalind Jenkins Bragg, as one who lived the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and charity.  Whom from your life’s experience would you nominate? …..300

There are seven virtues. The first four called “cardinal virtues” are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.   The three additional theological or “supernatural virtues” are faith, hope, and charity.

“To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul, and with all one’s efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance).  No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude).  It obeys only (God) (and this is justice) and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).” St. Augustine (354-430)

“Cardinal virtues” (from Latin cardo=hinge, or from cardinalis=principal)

1804-1805, 1810-1811, 1834, 1839

THE HUMAN VIRTUES

1804 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. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

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

The cardinal virtues

1805 Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal"; 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."(Wisdom 8:7.)⁶⁴ These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture. –CCC

The virtues and grace

1810 Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. The virtuous man is happy to practice them. –CCC

1811 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

IN BRIEF

1834 The human virtues are stable dispositions of the intellect and the will that govern our acts, order our passions, and guide our conduct in accordance with reason and faith. They can be grouped around the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. –CCC

1839 The moral virtues grow through education, deliberate acts, and perseverance in struggle. Divine grace purifies and elevates them. –CCC

People  Irma Jenkins Bragg