This series was published in 2025 in our bulletin and newsletter and is now archived here. Many thanks to our Service and Justice committee for sharing these articles.

Faith, Hope, and Charity and Catholic Teaching

Faith is the virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, because he is truth itself. (CCC, 1814). Faith is what Abraham exhibited in his willingness to follow God’s test to sacrifice his son Isaac. Faith was demonstrated by the actions of countless martyrs who refused to deny God at the cost of their lives. Faith was also demonstrated by Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel: “May it be done  to me according to your word.”  Because a faithful believer freely commits their entire self to God, one seeks to know and do God’s will. “The righteous shall live by faith.” 

Living faith “work[s] through charity.” (Rom 1:17; Gal 5:6 ). “Faith apart from works is dead.” (Jas 2:26 ).   When faith is deprived of hope and love, faith does not fully unite the believer to Christ. (CCC, 1815). 

The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it:  “So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 10:32-33; CCC, 1816).

When you struggle with faith, how far do you let yourself slip or sink before you prayerfully ask for God’s help to bolster your faith?

HOPE and Catholic Teaching

Pope Francis declared 2025 as a Jubilee year of hope, repeating Romans 5:5 that “Hope does not disappoint.” Hope is God’s gift which carries us forward, our eyes fixed on heaven, desiring eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the grace of the Holy Spirit. (CCC 1817).

We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. (Cf. Rom 8:28-30; Mt 7:21; CCC 1821). Hope inspires and purifies our activities and orders them to the Kingdom of heaven. (CCC 1818). Hope gives us the incentive to change our lives and calls us to action and transformation.

In this Jubilee year, Pope Francis urges that hope be offered to the sick, to the young, and to the elderly – especially grandparents, migrants, families, prisoners, and the poor.

Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul...that enters...where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.” (Heb 6:19-20; CCC 1820).

St. Teresa of Avila summarizes the role of hope in dealing with life’s struggles:

“Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear Your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end.” (Excl 15:3, CCC 1821). 

How has hope for union with God most focused and influenced your words and actions?

What can you do to help instill hope in others?

CHARITY AND CATHOLIC TEACHING

Charity is the highest form of love. Charity is described in our scriptures and in the Catechism as love. For example, St. Paul teaches:

“Charity is patient and kind, charity is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Charity does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Charity bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. If I . . . have not charity, I am nothing. Whatever my privilege, service, or even virtue, if I . . . have not charity, I gain nothing. So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.”  (1 Cor.13:1-13;  CCC 1825-1826).

Loving acts of charity, above all else, demonstrate our love of God and our unselfish love for our neighbor. Charity  is the first of the theological virtues and is superior to all the virtues.(CCC, 1822).  When all virtues become superfluous, because they are no longer necessary to the citizens of the Kingdom, charity alone will remain.

Jesus makes charity the new commandment: “that you love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn 15:9,12). The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies. (Rom 5:10). Charity  “binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Col 3:14, CCC 1827).  Charity calls us to act with kindness and mercy, not out of fear or expectation of reward. (CCC, 1828). The ultimate demonstration of charity was Jesus’ dying for each one of us on the cross.

The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy (CCC, 1829). Who would not enjoy these fruits? 

Using the gifts that God has given you, how can you lead a more loving / charitable life?

Catholic Teaching on Prudence

Prudence is classically understood as a practical wisdom that empowers one to be good and to act well in daily affairs. In Catholic theology, prudence is a cardinal virtue that is defined as "right reason in action," enabling individuals to discern the true good (God’s will) in every circumstance and choose the right means to achieve it.  By its nature, prudence is concerned with the seeking and attainment of wisdom and truth. It's considered the "mother of all virtues" as it guides the other virtues towards a good end. C.C.C 1806. 

A prudent person carefully considers circumstances and the potential consequences of his/ her actions and seeks counsel and advice from wise and trustworthy individuals.

To acquire prudence, choose to learn from your mistakes, learn from others, and patiently consider your choices. Then, be decisive and act. Decisiveness shouldn’t be confused with haste, but prudence frees us from the paralysis of perfectionism.  See, Jody Benson, Catholic Women in Business  Learning Prudence to Overcome Perfectionism. Prudence helps us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only,” as St. James says.  The prudent man is one who does the good, as opposed to one who merely knows the good.

“I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.” (Proverbs 8:12).

Rather than prudently considering an issue of significance, how often have you acted on instinct or insufficient information resulting in negative consequences?

Do you ever act in a self-righteous way instead of a prudent way?

Virtue

Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. Catechism of the Catholic Church 

(CCC, 1803). The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. (CCC, 1803). The practice of virtue brings us closer to God and closer to one another, and the craving for God brings us greater virtue.

The Church articulates three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which come directly from God, and four human or cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance which are rooted in theological virtues. (CCC, 1805, 1812, 1813).

Faith, hope, and charity are intertwined. Faith witnesses the presence of hope and the love of God.  Charity is the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one's fellow men. (See CCC, 1822).

We can practice our Faith through participation in Mass and programs offered by our  Parish. The food pantry, Helping Hands program, volunteering on committees and other church ministries offer ways for all of us to practice “good” through acts of Charity for those in need, and to foster Hope for ourselves and others as we work toward the future. What are ministries you can support and participate in that will help you become the “virtuous person who is happy to practice” acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity?

Justice and Catholic Teaching

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. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1807.

The relationships of justice and love form the fabric of society and lead us to peace. Social justice calls for defense of unrecognized and violated rights, especially those of the poor, the least and the weak.Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 81, 201-203, and 494. Pope Leo XIV stands in the social justice tradition.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  Matthew 5:6. 

What can you do to promote social justice? 

When you meet Jesus, do you want justice or mercy?

As you seek justice in your life, will you be merciful?

Fortitude and Catholic Teaching

Fortitude is commonly understood as courage in pain or adversity, while  persevering with strength of character. “Fortitude is the moral virtue that …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. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1808)

In Pope Francis' encyclicalFratelli Tutti,  Christians are called to exercise fortitude in these ways:

• to build bridges of unity, social friendship and fraternity;
• to challenge existing divisive structures and norms and to actively work towards a more just and equitable society;
• to overcome prejudice and fear, and to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration with those who may be different;
• to speak out against injustice, to advocate for the rights of others, and to take concrete actions to alleviate suffering;
• to stand firm against the forces of division and to actively promote reconciliation and healing; and 
• to live a life of service and love, even in the face of opposition and adversity. 

Will you pray for fortitude to be a part of the solution to achieve these goals?

Temperance and Catholic Teaching 

Temperance is one of the four cardinal virtues in Catholic tradition, alongside prudence, justice, and fortitude. Temperance is the virtue of moderation and self-control, particularly in regards to desires and pleasures. The Catechism teaches that temperance also provides balance in the use of created goods.(CCC 1809)

Temperance has a significant social dimension, extending beyond individual self-control to influence the well-being of the wider community. In the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, temperance is presented as a crucial aspect of individual and social life. It promotes a lifestyle that resists the excesses of consumerism and encourages respect for creation and the needs of all by: 

Promoting the Common Good:  By encouraging responsible consumption and the responsible use of resources, temperance helps ensure that everyone has access to what they need for a dignified life.

• Building a Just Society:  Temperance is linked to the pursuit of social justice. By encouraging moderation and self-discipline, it helps to create a society where resources are shared equitably and where individuals prioritize the well-being of others.
• Cultivating Social Harmony: Temperance fosters social harmony by promoting respectful interactions and discouraging destructive behaviors stemming from uncontrolled passions. For example, the Church's social teaching emphasizes that temperance with words is vital for maintaining healthy relationships, especially within families.

In essence, temperance is not simply a private virtue but a social one that contributes to the building of a more just, sustainable, and harmonious society. 

How often do I pray for help to moderate my desires?  Do I practice temperance within my family, model it in the workplace, and promote it within my community?

Presented by the St. Columba Service and Justice Committee.

Act justly, love mercifully, walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)