What are the Four Cardinal Virtues?

What are the Four Cardinal Virtues? Source: Fallible Blogma by Matthew Warner

What are they? Why are they “cardinal”? Where do they come from? Who decided on them? And why should I care?

In the great movie, Gladiator, the whiny son of the emperor is complaining to his dad…
“You wrote to me once, listing the four chief virtues: Wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness, courage, perhaps not on the battlefield, but… there are many forms of courage. Devotion, to my family and to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn’t want me for your son.” - Commodus

Well, Commodus, there’s a reason your virtues weren’t on his list.

The four cardinal virtues are:

1. Prudence (Wisdom)2. Justice3. Fortitude4. Temperance
(Note: Tolerance is not one of them.)

They are “cardinal” because they are pivotal and foundational. The word cardo means hinge. Therefore, the cardinal virtues are the principal point on which all other moral virtues turn and come from.

These four cardinal virtues have been derived from various sources and are no doubt found in many different forms and terms within the Old Testament of the Bible. Socrates (469-399 BC) mentions them in various forms too. But it was Plato that first enumerated the system from which the four cardinal virtues would spring. And it was - most notably - St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and later St. Thomas Aquinas who would further refer, support, and expound upon them within Christianity helping to make them cornerstones of Western Philosophy.
These should be important to us because, as the Catechism says, “They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life.”

Here’s a little more wisdom from the Catechism on the Four Cardinal Virtues (CCC 1804-1809):
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.

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.

The cardinal virtues

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.” These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; “the prudent man looks where he is going.” “Keep sane and sober for your prayers.” Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. “You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

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 of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: “Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart.” Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: “Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites.” In the New Testament it is called “moderation” or “sobriety.” We ought “to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.”

“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).”

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HOUR Act 1:6-8

Theme: HOUR

Act 1:6-8

What we are about to hear in the second reading tonight happened right before Jesus Ascension.
The disciples gather together and asked Jesus two questions, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom of Israel?’ These were the last two questions asked by the disciples, face to face with Jesus, right before JESUS Ascension.

From these two questions, we know that the disciples still have not fully understood Jesus mission. The disciple frame of mind was still trapped in the old paradigm. ‘Are you going to restore the kingdom of Israel?’ They were still expecting the restoration of national Kingdom, David’s Dynasty i.e. Israel. But, what Jesus has included in his mission extend beyond the Israelites. It includes the whole world, beyond Israel and beyond Jews. It includes Gentiles, all of us. The disciples were expecting a return of the old things; Jesus told them they would be “witnesses” of a new thing.

As for the first question, ‘Has the time come?’…… Jesus respond was that it was not for them to know times & dates which the father will decide.

In another words, Jesus told them that your questions are irrelevant. What was important was that you will receive power from the Holy Spirit. At that solemn hour when Christ was about to turn over the world itself to the eleven disciples, he turned to the subject of the HOLY SPIRIT.

As Jesus began HIS public life with the descent of the HOLY SPIRIT, so the disciples were to begin their mission to the world with the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

Second Reading - Ephesians 1:3-14

Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-14 11 July 2009

The second reading tonight is an opening address of the Letter to the Ephesians. It can be broken down in three (3) parts.

First, The father’s Plan of Salvation
Second, Fulfillment through Christ
Third, Inheritance through the Spirit.

It starts off with a blessing of God for the blessings Christians have experienced. Through that blessings, it also reminds us that God has blessed all of us in Christ Jesus, with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. He chose us in Christ Jesus, from the beginning. In Love, we were adopted by God through Jesus Christ. That is our father’s Plan of Salvation.

Our Father’s plan of Salvation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We were redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Such was the richness of the Grace of God. God revealed to us that mystery that in the fullness of times, all things will sum up in Christ, in Heaven and on earth.

In the inheritance through the spirit, we are reminded that through the seal of the Holy Spirit i.e. through our Baptism, we received the first instalment of our inheritance through the Spirit i.e. down payment by God on our full salvation.

So, Brothers & Sisters in Christ, We belong to God our Father, Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit. Our beloved Trinitarian God chose us in the beginning. He has already a wonderful plan for all of us, he has planned for our salvation, he has assured us that in the fullness of times, we will all be united in Christ Jesus. And through the first instalment of our inheritance toward redemption i.e. the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he has already claimed us as HIS possession. Such is the richness of the Grace of God.

Praise the LORD !

Disciple

First Reading Introduction : 1King 19:19-21 Call of Elisha

In tonight first reading, Elijah was instructed by God to go and anoint Elisha as prophet to succeed him.

Elisha was still doing his daily work, ploughing the land behind twelve yoke of oxen. That was, I supposed Elisha’s way of making his living. Elijah, being instructed by God to anoint Elisha, passed near to him and threw his cloak over him. Elijah’s act of throwing his mantle over the shoulders of Elisha expressed the divine call on Elisha to share the prophetic mission.

Then, we see Elisha’s immediate response to the divine call.... through destruction of his plough and slaughtering of the oxen. It is interesting to note that Elisha did not ask any questions at all about this mission. He just obeyed. He just followed and he became a humble servant. Not a big shot......but a servant. This response is an example of Elisha total obedience and detachment from his former manner of living in order to promote the glory of God. We can also see his attitude is one of humility..

Here in the Neo Catechumenate community, we are also called to be the disciples of God and his humble servants to follow and carry out the mission to proclaim God’s Kingdom and HIS Good News. We can learn from Elisha quick response to God’s call and his total commitment to God. Elisha prompt response, his total obedience, his humility, his detachment from these worldly things and without hesitation took up God’s prophetic mission is the hallmarks of discipleship.

Let us listen to the reading.

Year of the Priest: Pope Benedict Writes a Letter to Every Priest - From Catholic Online

'O, how great is the priest! ... If he realized what he is, he would die.' (St. John Mary Vianney)

Pope Benedict XVI has sent a tender, personal and theologically beautiful letter to every Catholic priest in the world.

On June 19, the Solemnity of the Most sacred heart of Jesus, he will inaugurate a "Year for Priests." The year will be dedicated to prayer for the sanctification and renewal of the clergy. Using the words and witness of the saintly Cure of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney, as a backdrop for this letter to his beloved priests he has broken open for all the depth and beauty of the priestly vocation. He has also invited all of the faithful to fully participate.

We present excerpts from this beautiful letter below. We encourage all of our readers to feast on its richness by studying it in its entirety. It is also posted below in its entirety as our first story. Print it, read it, pray over it and give a copy to a priest. We are dedicated to spending this year inviting our global readership to intense and dedicated prayer for our priests. We will focus much of our coverage on the beauty and dignity of the priestly vocation. All of this in a concerted effort to honor priests and encourage vocations to the priesthood:

'Priesthood Is the Love of the Heart of Jesus' Dear Brother Priests, On the forthcoming Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 - a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy - I have decided to inaugurate a "Year for Priests" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the "dies natalis" of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide.

This Year, meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world, will conclude on the same Solemnity in 2010. "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus", the saintly Cure of Ars would often say. This touching expression makes us reflect, first of all, with heartfelt gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not only for the Church, but also for humanity itself. I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ's words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labors, their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation as "friends of Christ", whom He has called by name, chosen and sent?...

The Cure of Ars was quite humble, yet as a priest he was conscious of being an immense gift to his people: "A good shepherd, a pastor after God's heart, is the greatest treasure which the good Lord can grant to a parish and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy". He spoke of the priesthood as if incapable of fathoming the grandeur of the gift and task entrusted to a human creature: "O, how great is the priest! ... If he realized what he is, he would die. ... God obeys him: he utters a few words and the Lord descends from heaven at his voice, to be contained within a small host". Explaining to his parishioners the importance of the Sacraments, he would say:

Without the Sacrament of Holy Orders, we would not have the Lord. Who put Him there in that tabernacle? The priest. Who welcomed your soul at the beginning of your life? The priest. Who feeds your soul and gives it strength for its journey? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, bathing it one last time in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest, always the priest. And if this soul should happen to die [as a result of sin], who will raise it up, who will restore its calm and peace? Again, the priest. ... After God, the priest is everything! ... Only in heaven will he fully realize what he is".

These words, welling up from the priestly heart of the holy pastor, might sound excessive. Yet they reveal the high esteem in which he held the Sacrament of the Priesthood. He seemed overwhelmed by a boundless sense of responsibility: "Were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love. ... Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth. ... What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of His goods. ... Leave a parish for twenty years without a priest, and they will end by worshipping the beasts there. ... The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you"...

In his time the Cure of Ars was able to transform the hearts and the lives of so many people because he enabled them to experience the Lord's merciful love. Our own time urgently needs a similar proclamation and witness to the truth of Love. Thanks to the Word and the Sacraments of Jesus, John Mary Vianney built up his flock, although he often trembled from a conviction of his personal inadequacy, and desired more than once to withdraw from the responsibilities of the parish ministry out of a sense of his unworthiness. Nonetheless, with exemplary obedience he never abandoned his post, consumed as he was by apostolic zeal for the salvation of souls. He sought to remain completely faithful to his own vocation and mission through the practice of an austere asceticism:

The great misfortune for us parish priests – he lamented - is that our souls grow tepid"; meaning by this that a pastor can grow dangerously inured to the state of sin or of indifference in which so many of his flock are living. He himself kept a tight rein on his body, with vigils and fasts, lest it rebel against his priestly soul. Nor did he avoid self-mortification for the good of the souls in his care and as a help to expiating the many sins he heard in confession. To a priestly confrere he explained: "I will tell you my recipe: I give sinners a small penance and the rest I do in their place". Aside from the actual penances which the Cure of Ars practiced, the core of his teaching remains valid for each of us: souls have been won at the price of Jesus' own blood, and a priest cannot devote himself to their salvation if he refuses to share personally in the "precious cost" of redemption.

In today's world, as in the troubled times of the Cure of Ars, the lives and activity of priests need to be distinguished by a forceful witness to the Gospel. As Pope Paul VI rightly noted, "modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses". Lest we experience existential emptiness and the effectiveness of our ministry be compromised, we need to ask ourselves ever anew: "Are we truly pervaded by the Word of God? Is that Word truly the nourishment we live by, even more than bread and the things of this world? Do we really know that Word? Do we love it? Are we deeply engaged with this Word to the point that it really leaves a mark on our lives and shapes our thinking?". Just as Jesus called the Twelve to be with Him, and only later sent them forth to preach, so too in our days priests are called to assimilate that "new style of life" which was inaugurated by the Lord Jesus and taken up by the Apostles....

To the Most Holy Virgin I entrust this Year for Priests. I ask her to awaken in the heart of every priest a generous and renewed commitment to the ideal of complete self-oblation to Christ and the Church which inspired the thoughts and actions of the saintly Cure of Ars. It was his fervent prayer life and his impassioned love of Christ Crucified that enabled John Mary Vianney to grow daily in his total self-oblation to God and the Church. May his example lead all priests to offer that witness of unity with their bishop, with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary. Despite all the evil present in our world, the words which Christ spoke to His Apostles in the Upper Room continue to inspire us: "In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world". Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence. Dear priests, Christ is counting on you. In the footsteps of the Cure of Ars, let yourselves be enthralled by Him. In this way you too will be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation and peace!....