4 Cardinal Virtues

Hello, I hope you're doing well today. I've been so busy, so haven't been able to go into depths in my blogs lately, my apologies, this may be a short one, but I will try my best to make it count toward helping to get your soul to heaven. I recently completed a incredible course for fun at Christendom College that I enjoyed very much. It helped me reconize the virtues I may be lacking in and some that I may be stronger in. The class was about the 4 Cardinal Virtues, as well as going from vice to Virtuous Life. I highly recommend it and some of their other awesome Free classes, like these https://online.christendom.edu/

to learn how to become like the saints, to learn apologetics, theology, and more.

What are the 4 Cardinal Virtues?

Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, & Prudance

There are a few things that fall under each of those catagories, but today, let's just mention one or two, and your homework can be to research the rest and work on what you're strongest in and what you're weakest in.

Wait, why do we need to work on the ones that we feel we are already strong in?

St Thomas Aquinas had a hand menthod for growing in the Virtues.

Your fingers grow to different lengths right? It could be kinda weird if they were all the same length. We grow in some virtues faster than others, for example, our pointer finger is longer thann our pinky, maybe we are doing well with justice (you treat everyone fairly), but our temperance (when it comes to self control eating chocolate is lacking). Okay but those fingers are still on the same hand growing together, differently but together. In the class, I learned about hw if we are struggling with one virtue, say prudance, but we are great with fortitude, sometimes since they are all connected, working on the one we are best at can actually help us grow in the others as well.

Focusing on One at a time works.

What is an example of Temperance?

Self control.

Having to have dessert after every meal, especially chocolate is one that I sure need to work on. Jesus sacrificed so much for us, I don't need to indulge to the point of the sin of gluttony. That would be very wrong. Dessert is fun and enjoyable, but like many things (tv, social media, etc) how much is too much, and am I putting it first before time with God?

Example of Prudance?

Deciding what is right and what is wrong in a situation? It can sometimes be a tricky one especially for things you may not think are a big deal.

It can be simply timing. Is this the right time to bring something up about shopping and inturrupt someone who is going through a tough medical appointment?, stuff like that. Some of those decisions may seem easy enough, but others can be tougher. Some could be little everyday life things like, Do I need to buy this extra fun thing that I want, even though I know we need to save up for a house project?

Example of Justice?

The will to want to give dues to God and neighbors.

Ethical/Moral implications, Fairness, laws,etc...

Example of Fortitude?

Courage, strength to conquer fear and trust God.

A Gift from the Holy Spirit to go forth proclaiming the good news as the disciples did without fear of what the world may think,say, or do as a response.

Why should we strive to become Virtuous People?

The Virtues help us grow closer to becoming a saint of God. Which is the ultimate, most exciting goal for every person, to become saints. Come on Friends, Let's get to work, so that we can become Saints together.

Take your time and during this blessed month of May the Month of Mary, ask for her intercession for Graces to grow in these Virtues.

Mother Mary please help us to grow in virtues so we may be better servants to your most Holy and Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Amen.

2 Peter 1:5

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,