Building Spiritual Habits

Building Spiritual Habits

St. Augustine prayed,
“Help me to grow in the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts and Your Twelve Fruits.”

 What are the four Cardinal Virtues?

In 375 B.C., the Greek philosopher Plato identified the four human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. He considered these characteristics of human behavior to be “cardinal,” from “cardo,” the Latin word for hinge, or “that on which other things depend.” 

St. Augustine prayed for the four Cardinal virtues because he understood them to be the foundation–the hinge that made possible any spiritual practice.

Prudence, also called "wisdom," is defined by Webster's Dictionary as “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason” or the “skill and good judgment in the use of resources.”

Prudence is the ability to judge between actions with regard to what is needed and appropriate at a given time. This virtue in practice makes it possible to decide what we are doing, to watch TV or pray, go to Church or sleep. Weighing the option requires a clear understanding of the benefits and a will to pursue them.

Justice, also called "fairness," is defined as the “quality of being correct, impartial and fair.”  Justice is the guiding principle, the perpetual and constant will of doing what is right. St. Augustine understood that to advance in our Spiritual life, we must understand our devotion and the practice of our faith as not simply good, but right.

Fortitude, also called "courage," is defined as the “strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.”  Nowhere in scripture does God say that life, living and working towards spiritual perfection, will be easy. In fact, St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Ephesians that…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

St. Augustine knew by his own experience that it required great fortitude to pursue spiritual perfection. Knowing that principalities and powers are allied against us requires courage tempered in wisdom.

Temperance, also called "restraint," is defined as “avoidance of extremes in one’s actions, beliefs, or habits.”  Temperance is the practice of self-control, abstention, and moderation. St. Augustine lived with the memory of his own indulgence and willfulness which led, or were leading him to ruin. He wrote about the struggles he went through and the restraint he had to develop as he prioritized his spiritual life.

The naming of the four Cardinal Virtues by Plato were obviously not Christian constructs. Augustine knew the Virtues as a Philosopher and recognized them as the basic virtues (bestowed by God) which are needed to achieve the practice of spiritual growth.

Next week we will look at the Seven Gifts.

Striving for Perfection,
Fr. Bill+