INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM

NATURE: Cardinal Virtues

JOURNAL

Get a YouCat and read n. 342: What does it mean to be a saint? Why must I do my work well in order to

“sanctify” it (that is, to make it holy)? How am I going to work on making my

schoolwork holy?

Becoming who we were made to be!

NATURE AND GRACE Human nature= in God’s image and

likeness Moral virtues; can and should be known by

everyone Deut. 30:11-14 Rom. 2: 14-15

We still fail to do good Our human nature is fallen We know what to do but fail to do it

Moral virtue “disposes” us to holiness

Becoming who we were made to be!

Grace= gift from God—by which we become like Him

CCC grace is “favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons [and daughters], partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life”

Grace builds on nature.

Theological Virtues are not known by everyone Only by grace

So, What is a Virtue?

Virtue “virtus”- Latin, meaning “human excellence,

merit or moral perfection” To be good at being a human being = to be virtuous

A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good

Actions and habits

Opposite of virtue is vice.

Cardinal Virtues

Cardinal virtues are “hinge” virtues Why we cultivate VIRTUE? YouCat n.300

Virtue forms our character Freely Joyfully Easily

Doing the good

Cardinal Virtues

Prudence Habitual disposition to know what the right

thing is in each particular circumstance Must do it too! It is the “form” of all the virtues

Cardinal Virtues

Justice “constant and firm will to give what is due to

God and to neighbor” Always considers the common good

Cardinal Virtues

Fortitude Habitual disposition that ensures firmness in

difficulty and pursuit of the good Conquer fear! Triumph over evil!

Cardinal Virtues

Temperance Habit of moderating the attraction of pleasures Always knowing and choosing (and desiring)

the right amount, at the right time Knows “how much” and desires it

Cardinal Virtues and Grace

We can naturally know and deliberately choose to do the moral virtues. We fail We can only reach moral perfection with

God’s help Pray for Virtue!

INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM

GRACE: Theological Virtues

Theological Virtues

Grace: Theological Virtues are “infused” directly by

God

Intellect and free-will are not sufficient in themselves to attain these virtues

They fulfill and enliven the moral virtues “they make us capable of acting as his

children and of meriting eternal life”

Theological Virtues

Faith: The virtue by which we believe in God, in

all that He has revealed through scriptures and His Church. Matt. 16:13-17

Without charity Faith is “dead”

Theological Virtues

Hope Virtue by which we desire our true

happiness, and trust that the Holy Ghost will give you the grace to attain it.

Helps us “persevere to the end” to be joyful in trial

Theological Virtues

… and the greatest of these is

Charity Virtue by which we love God above all

things, and love all people and things for His sake Jn 14: 23-24

Binds all virtues together—forms and enlivens them all; makes us Holy. I Cor. 13:1-13

INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM

The Mass and Sacraments

Mass and the Sacraments

Sacraments

A Sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace, instituted by Christ, for our sanctification

Catholic Christians have seven sacraments Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Penance Anointing (extreme unction) Holy Orders Matrimony

Sacraments

Why did Christ initiate sacraments?

Our body and soul are intimately united Develop habits of thinking and acting,

humility and respect by our gestures and responses

We give back to God in the only way we know how

Sacraments

Signs some signs and symbols signify something

that teach us about God

Efficacious signs: These are the sacraments, that God works

through to give us grace.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass The celebration of the Eucharist is the source

and summit of our Christian life

“Take then and eat the body of Christ since now you have become members of Christ in the body of Christ. Take and drink the blood of Christ. So as not to be cut off, eat that which unites you; so as not to think little of yourself, drink what is the price of your person.” – St. Augustine

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass The Eucharist is the summary of

Salvation History The person of Jesus Christ, his work and His

presence The sacrifice of the Hebrew people The liturgy (public worship) of the Early

Christians The heavenly liturgy we read about in

Revelation

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass The Mass is

Memorial celebration Sacrifice Banquet feast And communion

And it teaches us about our faith if we have full and active participation