On the Theological Virtues

COMPENDIUM

Supernatural virtue is a faculty infused by God into the soul, and giving it a propensity, facility, and readiness to know and do good toward the attainment of eternal life. The principle supernatural virtues are seven in number, i.e., three theological virtues and four cardinal virtues.

The theological virtues are: Faith, Hope, and Charity.

These virtues are called theological, because God is their immediate and principal end, and they are infused by Him. They have God for their immediate end, because by Faith, we believe in God, and believe all that He has revealed; by Hope, we hope to possess God; and by Charity, we love God, and love ourselves and our neighbor in Him.

God, in His goodness, infused the theological virtues into our souls when He adorned us with His sanctifying grace, and, therefore, when we were Baptized, we were endowed with these virtues, and, along with them, with the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

If anyone has attained the use of reason, it is not enough to have received the theological virtues by means of Baptism in order to be saved; but it is necessary to have done acts of such virtues frequently.

We are bound to make acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity:

1. On the attainment of the use of reason.
2. Often in the course of our lives.
3. When we are in danger of death.

CATECHISM

856. What is a supernatural virtue?

A supernatural virtue is a quality infused by God into the soul by which the latter acquires inclination, facility, and promptness to know good and do it towards eternal life.

857. How many principal supernatural virtues are there?

The principal supernatural virtues are seven: three theological, and four cardinal virtues.

858. What are the theological virtues?

The theological virtues are: Faith, Hope and Charity.

859. Why are Faith, Hope and Charity called theological virtues?

Faith, Hope and Charity are called theological virtues, because they have God as their immediate and principal object, and are infused by Him.

860. How can the theological virtues have God for their immediate object?

The theological virtues have God for their immediate object in this way: that by Faith we believe in God, and believe all He has revealed; by Hope, we hope to possess God; and by Charity, we love God and in Him we love ourselves and our neighbor.

861. When does God infuse the theological virtues into the soul?

God, in His goodness, infuses the theological virtues into the soul when adorning us with His sanctifying grace; and, hence, when receiving Baptism, we were enriched with these virtues, and, along with them, with the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

862. Is it enough towards salvation to have received the theological virtues in Baptism?

For one who has come to the use of reason, it is not enough to have received the theological virtues in Baptism; it is also necessary to make frequent acts of Faith, Hope and Charity.

863. When are we obliged to make acts of Faith, Hope and Charity?

We are obliged to make acts of Faith, Hope and Charity: 1. when we come to the use of reason; 2. often during life; 3. when in danger of death.