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Illustration: Depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove, by Gian Lorenzo Bernin 1660i,
Pope Francis’ Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues 11. Virtuous action
Saint Peter’s Square -Wednesday, 13 March 2024
Philippians (4:8-9)
Finally, brethren, 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.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 11. Virtuous action
Dear brothers and sisters,
Now that we have completed our survey of vices, it is time to look at the opposite of the experience of evil. The human heart can give in to evil passions, it can give in to harmful temptations disguised in persuasive garments, but it can also resist all of this. However difficult it may be, man is made for the good that truly fulfils him, and he is also capable of practicing this art, so that certain dispositions become permanent in him. Reflection on this marvelous possibility of ours is a classic chapter in moral philosophy: the chapter on virtue.
The Roman philosophers called it virtus, the Greeks aretè.
The Latin term stresses above all that the virtuous person is strong, courageous, capable of discipline and perseverance: the exercise of the virtues is therefore the fruit of long germination, requiring effort and even suffering.
The Greek word, aretè, on the other hand, means something outstanding, something that emerges, something that arouses admiration. The virtuous person, then, is not deformed by distortion, but remains faithful to his own vocation and fully realizes himself.
We would be mistaken if we thought that the saints were the exceptions of humanity: a sort of limited circle of champions who live beyond the limits of our species.
On the contrary, the saints, from the point of view of the virtues that we have just presented, are those who fully become themselves, who fulfil the vocation proper to every man and woman.
What a happy world it would be if justice, respect, mutual benevolence, broadmindedness, and hope were the shared norm rather than a rare anomaly!
This is why the chapter on virtuous action, should be rediscovered and practiced by all in these dramatic times of ours, when we are often confronted with the worst of humanity.
In a distorted world, we need to remember the form in which we were formed, the image of God that is forever imprinted upon us.
But how can we define the concept of virtue?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers us a precise and concise definition: “A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good” (no. 1803).
It is not, therefore, an improvised or somewhat accidental good that falls sporadically from heaven. History shows us that even criminals have performed good deeds in moments of lucidity; these deeds are certainly inscribed in the “Book of God”, but virtue is something different.
It is a goodness that comes from a slow maturation of the person, until it becomes an inner quality.
Virtue is a habit of freedom.
If we are free in every act, and every time we must choose between good and evil, virtue is what enables us to have a tendency towards the right choice.
If virtue is such a beautiful gift, the question immediately arises: how is it possible to obtain it?
The answer to this question is not simple, it is complex.
For the Christian, the first aid is God’s grace.
Indeed, the Holy Spirit acts in us who have been baptized, working in our soul to lead it to a virtuous life.
How many Christians have reached holiness through tears, realizing that they could not overcome some of their weaknesses!
But they have found that God has completed the work of good which was only a sketch for them.
Grace always precedes our moral commitments.
Moreover, we must never forget the very rich lesson of the wisdom of the ancients, which tells us that virtue grows and can be cultivated.
And for this to happen, the first gift to ask of the Spirit is precisely wisdom.
The human being is not a free territory for the conquest of pleasures, emotions, instincts, passions, without being able to do anything against these forces, sometimes chaotic, that dwell within.
A priceless gift we possess is open-mindedness, it is the wisdom that can learn from mistakes so as to direct life well.
Then, we need good will: the ability to choose the good, to form ourselves with ascetic exercise, avoiding excesses.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is how we begin our journey through the virtues, in this serene world, which is challenging, but decisive for our happiness.
Summary of the words of the Holy Father
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our catechesis on the virtues and the vices, we are now considering the nature of virtue, which the Catechism defines as “a habitual and firm disposition to do the good”.
Created in the image and likeness of God, we were made for goodness, yet in our fallen world the pursuit of virtue and the avoidance of vice require discipline and perseverance.
Growth in virtue is indeed the noblest expression of our human freedom, but it must necessarily be sustained by God’s prior gift of grace.
For this reason, Scripture counsels us to pray for the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom, so that we may know the Lord’s will and let it inform our every decision as we strive to conform our lives ever more fully to his gracious and loving plan for our human family.
