The Theological and Cardinal Virtues

Faith, Hope & Love. What is a good human being, and who is good. Has anyone ever been perfect and, if so, who. How does one grow in goodness and become perfect. What would we be like, male and female, if human nature could ever be brought to perfection. This book is an attempt to answer these questions by examining the meaning of virtue following the coming of Christ, or what one might call the 'Christian Revolution' of virtue ethics, particularly in regard to the theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity. Prudence, Justice, Courage & Temperance. What kind of people do we need to be if we are to live up to the grace of our Baptism as children of God, able to call God, "Our Father. " Besides the theological virtues, the life of grace needs a wide range of character-forming dispositions. These dispositions are the infused moral virtues. Their principles or 'hinges' are the Christian cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, courage, and temperance. This booklet explores the meaning of these cardinal virtues, drawing on Scripture, the great works of Catholic theology, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and new research to explain and illustrate the ideas. It also includes practical ways to support the cardinal virtues, including discipleship, parables and stories, proverbs and maxims, memorisations, and a liturgical life.