CHOOSING GOOD: THE CARDINAL AND THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

We make a moral choice every time we commit to doing something good or something bad. Using our
well-formed conscience and God’s grace to discern and consistently make morally good choices, we
develop habits for doing the good. These habits are known as virtues. The Church identifies seven
principle virtues, which are divided into two groups known as the Cardinal and Theological Virtues.

View the video from Catholic Central for an explanation on each set of virtues:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTVNK4g9npo

Review each group of virtues and their definitions below. These descriptions, along with the video, will
help you with the activity to follow. Remember that putting these virtues into practice in your life will
deepen your relationship with Jesus and with others.

CARDINAL VIRTUES THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Available to everyone, they help us in our
relationships with other people. The word
“cardinal” means to “hinge” or “pivot”. All of
our relationships hinge on our ability to
master these virtues.
Infused in to us by God they help us to live
in relationship with the Holy Trinity. They
help us recognize our identity as beloved
children of God.

Prudence – The ability to identify and Faith – Belief in God and all that He has
then do the right thing revealed

Justice – The will to provide what is due
to God and our neighbor
Fortitude – The strength to do the right
thing even in times of difficulty
Temperance – The ability to control our
desire for pleasure and material things
Hope – Confident trust in all of the good
that God has promised
Charity (Love) – Placing God above all
things and caring for our neighbor as
ourselves

On the following page, use these seven definitions to identify at least two virtues displayed in each
scenario. Check the answer key to confirm your answers.

Archdiocese of Washington, Office for Catechesis 2020.

 Virtues Scenarios

1. Your friends want you to play online video games with them but you have a big test tomorrow. It is
important that you do well in your class so you choose to study for the test.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

2. You are tired on Sunday morning but still get up and go to Mass with your family. You know that it is
your duty to give God worship on the Sabbath day.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

3. A new student arrives at your school in the middle of the year. No one is sitting with him at lunch.
You introduce yourself and ask if he wants to eat with you and your friends. You know you would want
someone to do the same for you if it were the other way around.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

4. A classmate is being bullied on social media. You post a comment supporting the person and inform
your parents about the bullying even though the bully might make fun of you next.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

5. A friend asks you about why you go to the sacrament of Reconciliation. You tell them that it is because
you believe that God loves you and that He wants to give you His mercy to heal you.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

6. You are ready to eat your favorite snack when your little sister asks if she can have some. Though you
had planned on eating all of it, you gladly share some with her.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

7. You have to choose which school you are going attend next year. While you are uncertain about which
choice will be best, you are confident that God will ensure everything turns out as He knows is best for
you.

Virtues displayed: ____________________________________________________________

Archdiocese of Washington, Office for Catechesis 2020.

 Answer Key

In these scenarios, it would have been difficult to select only one virtue. This makes sense because when
we live virtuously, we often do not isolate one virtue to the exclusion of others. Read the explanations
below to see which virtues are reflected in each scenario.

Scenario 1 – The primary virtue displayed is prudence. You have identified that doing well in your class is
a priority over playing video games. You then chose to actually study for the test. A second virtue is
temperance in that you are depriving yourself of something you like to do - in this case, gaming with
your friends.

Scenario 2 – One virtue reflected in this scenario is justice. You recognize that you have a responsibility
to give God worship. You are giving Him what He is due. Another virtue is charity in that you are placing
God above your own wants and desires. A third virtue is temperance because you are limiting the time
you spend in bed.

Scenario 3 – A key virtue in this scenario is charity. You performed an act of kindness just as you would
want someone to do for you. As Jesus taught, we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Additional
virtues displayed could be justice or fortitude. We as human beings deserve friendship and respect, so
inviting a person to eat with you could be an act of justice. It also though takes some courage to speak to
people we don’t know – an act of fortitude.

Scenario 4 – One virtue that stands out is fortitude. You stood up for a classmate and informed an adult
at the risk of being bullied yourself. Good job, that takes courage. Other virtues are charity and justice.
Charity is at work since you prioritized the needs of your classmate above your own. Also, all people are
due respect, which means you also acted with justice.

Scenario 5 – An important virtue in this scenario is faith. In the sacraments there is an outward sign
which signifies an inward grace. When the priest speaks the words of absolution, your soul is being
cleansed of sin and you receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Your belief and trust that this is happening
within you is an act of faith. A second virtue is hope. You have confident trust that what God has
promised through the sacraments will actually happen.

Scenario 6 – This scenario is a great example of temperance. This is your favorite snack! It’s been a long
day and you were ready to chow down. However, you limited your desire for this snack in order to share
some of it with your little sister. Another virtue is charity. You placed your sister’s needs above your own.

Scenario 7 – The main virtue here is hope. In this scenario, you are confident and trusting in the future
good that God has in store for you. Faith would be an additional virtue since this still involves trust and
belief. Hope and faith are like two sides of the same coin.

Archdiocese of Washington, Office for Catechesis 2020.