The Way Forward - Leading A Virtuous Life - Part 5 Moral Virtues ► Fortitude

JMJ

This is not a reference to intestinal fortitude that is required to read Cardinal Kasper et al's writings. It is a reference to the virtue by which one endures the hardships that God sends us in life and specifically those that accompany this crisis of the Church.

These could include the separation from loved ones over Catholic principles (divorce, communion in the hand, priestesses, New Mass, Four V2 Things), or just trying to live as a Catholic in a Godless world (note this is worse than living in a pagan world ...)

First the summary diagram:

Fortitude

Just as temperance virtues remove from the will obstacles to rational good arising from sensuous pleasure, fortitude removes from the will those obstacles arising from the difficulties of doing what reason requires.

In short fortitude is the virtue by which one endures dangers and difficulties, even death itself, and is never dissuarded by fear from the pursuit of good.

Annexed Virtues

Patience disposes us to bear present evils with equanimity; the patient man is one who endures present evils in such a way as not to be inordinately cast down by them.

Munificence disposes us to incur great expenses for the suitable doing of a great work. This differs from liberality, since it deals not with ordinary expenses / donations, but those that are great. The the munificent man (or woman) is one who gives with royal generosity, in accordance with right reason.

Magnanimity implies a reaching out of the soul to great things, and regulates oneself in regards to honours. A magnanimous person aims at great works in every line of virtue, making it their purpose to do things worthy of great honour. Magnanimity is compatible with true humility.

"Magnanimity", says St. Thomas, "makes a man deem himself worthy of great honours in consideration of the Divine gifts he possesses; whilst humility makes him think little of himself in consideration of his own short-comings".

Perseverance, disposes us to continue striving / working for the accomplishment of good works in spite of the difficulties that are attached to them.

As a moral virtue it is not to be taken precisely for what is designated as final perseverance, that special gift of the predestined by which one is found in the state of grace at the moment of death.

It is used here to designate that virtue which disposes one to continuance in any virtuous work whatsoever.

Application in Today's World

I will try to be succinct.

In this crisis we need to be patient with God as He will resolve this crisis in His own time and manner. Too many dogmatize their opinions on how this crisis will be solved.

We also need to be patient with everyone affected by this crisis, Traditional and non-Traditional Catholics alike. If we lose patience with them, then all good you may have done will be lost. (mea culpa).

This crisis will require much generosity in order to help Catholics survive this crisis. This can take the form of supporting a young (or old) man in the seminary, a seminary building project, your local chapel / parish.

We also need to realize that this crisis is our time to save our souls and those who we come into contact with. We need to do great things in a great manner, that is what is demanded of us - even if this greatness is done quietly.

Obviously, we need to persevere, striving to accomplish the good works that God has set us upon. How do we know they're good: Examine them in the light of Catholic Principles (see link for a sample) and if you find they aren't aligned - then they aren't good!

P^3

Reference

APA citation. Waldron, M.A. (1912). Virtue. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved July 27, 2015 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15472a.htm

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