Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

This week we will continue our study of the virtues by looking at the “Human”, “Cardinal” or “Moral” (these terms will be used interchangeably in this message) virtue of fortitude. Before we begin let us review what is a virtue? In the CCC 1803 it states “…A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions…” “Human” or “Cardinal” or “Moral” virtues help us develop habits to freely choose a deliberate act which is toward the good. When faced with a choice between doing something good or doing something evil, the Cardinal Virtues direct us to the good. The Cardinal (Moral) Virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

The CCC 1808 says this about fortitude: “Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song.” In the world you have tribulation, but be good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In the Catholic Encyclopedia it says “Fortitude is “A cardinal virtue and of the Holy Spirit. Fortitude is a disposition to achieve good even when this demands suffering, pain or great effort. This virtue gives the Christian the will and strength to overcome whatever obstacles are encountered in the course of following the way of the Gospel. Under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, it prevents succumbing to temptations, and in so doing it facilitates and promotes Christian life in general.”

Fortitude is one of the four cardinal virtues. As such, it can be practiced by anyone, since, unlike the theological virtues, the cardinal virtues are not, in themselves, the gifts of God through grace but the outgrowth of habit.

Fortitude is commonly called courage, but it is different from what much of what we think of as courage today. Fortitude is always reasoned and reasonable; the person exercising fortitude is willing to put himself in danger if necessary, but he does not seek danger for danger’s sake.

St. Thomas Aquinas ranked fortitude as the third of the cardinal virtues, because it serves prudence and justice, the higher virtues. Fortitude is the virtue that allows us to overcome fear and to remain steady in our will in the face of obstacles. Prudence and justice are the virtues through which we decide what needs to be done; fortitude gives us the strength to do it.

Fortitude is not foolhardiness or rashness, “rushing in where angels fear to tread.” Indeed, part of the virtue of fortitude, as Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., notes in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, is the “curbing of recklessness.” Putting our bodies or lives in danger when it is not necessary is not fortitude but foolishness. (Catholicism.About.com)

Let us pray for the virtue of fortitude in our lives.

 

Fr. David