The four cardinal virtues

A few posts ago, we spoke of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and love), which are infused (gifts from God), that dispose us to Trinitarian life.  In this post, we will speak of what are called "human" virtues, which, unlike the theological virtues, can be acquired by human effort.  However, because of Original Sin, we still need God's help to achieve them.
The Catechism says in paragraph 1804 that 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. "  Four such human virtues are called "cardinal", because all the other human virtues are grouped among them.  They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

1) "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." (p.1806). "  When we are prudent, we make sounds decisions using reason and morality.
2) "Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor." (p.1807).  When we are just, we give to God and others what is due them (respect, rights, etc.), and we promote the common good.
3) "Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good." (p.1808)  When we practice fortitude, we are better able to resist temptation, conquer fear, and face trials and persecutions that cannot be avoided.
4) "Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods." (p.809)  When we practice temperance, we are able to better master our appetites and passions, and direct them towards greater goods.

So, if we wish to be fully human, the Church teaches that we need to practice these virtues.  These virtues give us character, help us practice the good, and make us happy, which is what every man seeks.  It is not easy to live these, especially in the world as it is today promoting happiness by other means.  The Church recommends frequent prayer, reception of the Sacraments, especially Confession, and fellowship with other believers to help us achieve them.

Having said all this, living these four cardinal virtues cannot alone lead us to our eternal destiny. That destiny is life in the Blessed Trinity, and for that, we need the theological virtues, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, both of which we have spoken of.  That same Holy Spirit can help us live these human virtues, as well.  When we live the human and theological virtues, under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we then experience a happy life, proof of which is the experience of the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit, which we have spoken of as well.

Both the human and theological virtues are "habitual and firm dispositions to do good." (p.1803).  A virtue, in other words, is a habit.  When we seek the virtues, we seek not just to do something good at one moment in time, but rather, we seek to make it a habit, something we do over and over again.  Doing the good over and over again makes us men and women of character.  It makes us happy, and gives us peace.

Several of the titles of Saint Joseph in his Litany allude to his practice of the virtues.  Joseph most just (justice), Joseph most chaste (temperance), Joseph most prudent (prudence), and Joseph most strong (fortitude).  May we model him in his living out of the cardinal virtues.

Joseph, most just, pray for us.
Joseph, most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph, most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph, most strong, pray for us.