1. The Cardinal Virtues

2.  We are called to live out our love for God We show Him that we love Him We do this by living out the virtues  Cardinal Virtues All good actions depend on these  Cardinal = “hinge” in Latin Foundation for a virtuous life Prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude

3.  Prudence: Ability to make right choices in life Similar to wisdom WWJD  St. Maria Goretti’s life exhibits prudence Supposed to choose way of God over all else  She chose martyrdom over sin

4.  Justice: Helps us to live honestly by respecting the rights of others Gives everyone what they truly deserve  Worships God, obeys parents, loves people “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them”  Matthew 7:12  Pontius Pilate didn’t follow justice Thought about his own concerns instead of giving Jesus the treatment He deserved

5.  Temperance: The power to control ourselves Control our wants, desires, and actions  St. Dominic Savio Italian teenager in the mid 1800s  Very popular in his class Promised God that he would never commit even a single mortal sin Died at 15 Succeeded in his spiritual mission because he had regimented himself physically  Didn’t overeat, oversleep, or overdo things  Trained him to control his desires, both physical and spiritual

6.  Fortitude: Helps us to face every difficulty and danger with peace and courage Allows us to do our responsibilities, even if they require large sacrifice  Holy martyrs of the Church exhibited this  St. Pancras Died at age of 14 in the year 304 He had beaten another kid in a wrestling match The other kid revealed Pancras was Catholic  To get even The emperor had been good friends with Pancras’ dad  Told him to offer prayers to the gods and he would forgive him and give him power Pancras refused  Whipped through the streets and then beheaded by sword  We don’t need to be martyrs to exhibit fortitude Remain loyal to Christ even when it seems uncool Place our love of God over our desire for friends and fortune

7.  Vice is the opposite of virtue Bad habits of the soul  7 principle vices (deadly sins) Pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth Can be countered with 7 opposing virtues  Humility, liberality, chastity, patience, sobriety, brotherliness, diligence in the service of God

8.  Given to us by Christ on the sermon on the Mount  8 Promises to those who live good Christian lives Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Blessed are you when men revile and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great