which, with the assistance of God, we acquire by constant practice.

11. What do we generally call those virtues which can be acquired by practice?

We call them Moral Virtues,' because they regulate our moral conduct according to the will of God.

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12. Which among them are the four Cardinal' or Principal Virtues,' in which all the others are included?

1. Prudence; 2. Justice; 3. Fortitude; and 4. Temperance (Wis. viii. 7).

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They are called Cardinal virtues, because they are, as it were, the hinges (cardines) by which the whole moral life of a Christian is supported, and on which it must constantly move [The Transl.]

13. What is Prudence?

Prudence is a virtue which makes us discern what is truly good and agreeable to God from what only appears to be so, and thus prevents our being seduced

to evil.

Be not conformed to this world, but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God' (Rom. xii. 2). "Beware of false prophets' (Matt. vii. 15)-Examples: The imprudent Josaphat (2 Paral. xix. 2); the wise Virgins (Matt. xxv.)

14. What is Justice?

Justice is a virtue by which we are always determined to do what is right, and, therefore, always disposed to give every one his due.

'Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's; and to God the things that are God's' (Matt. xxii. 21).-Example: Tobias (Tobias ii. 21).

15. What is Fortitude?

Fortitude is a virtue which enables us to endure any hardship or persecution, rather than abandon our duty. Examples: The seven Machabees and their mother, who esteemed the torments as nothing' (2 Mac. vii. 12).

16. What is Temperance?

Temperance is a virtue which restrains our sensual inclinations and desires, that they may not allure us from virtue.

'Refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul' (1 Pet. ii. 11).—Example: Esther (Esth. xiv. 14, 15–18).

17. What virtues are especially opposite to the seven Capital Sins ?

1. Humility; 2. Liberality; 3. Chastity; 4. Meekness; 5. Temperance in eating and drinking; 6. Brotherly love; and 7. Diligence.

18. What is Humility?

Humility is a virtue which teaches us to acknowledge our own unworthiness, weakness, and sinfulness, and to look upon all good as coming from God.

Examples: Abraham (Gen. xviii. 27); the Publican (Luke xviii. 13); St. Paul (1 Cor. xv. 8, 9). Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven (Matt. xviii. 3).

19. What is Liberality?

Liberality is a virtue which inclines us to use our property for the relief of the needy, or for other laudable purposes.

Examples: Tobias (Tob. i. 19, 20); Solomon (3 Kings v -viii.) ; the first Christians (Acts ii. 45). Give, and it shall be given to

you' (Luke vi. 38).

20. What is Chastity?

Chastity is a virtue which subdues all impure inclinations and desires by which modesty is violated.

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Examples: Joseph, Susanna, and, above all, the Blessed Virgin Mary. They that are Christ's have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences' (Gal. v. 24).

21. What is Meekness?

Meekness is a virtue which suppresses all desire of revenge, and any motion of unjust anger and displeasure.

Examples: David (1 Kings xxiv. and xxvi.); St. Stephen (Acts vii. 58). Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart' (Matt. xi. 29).

22. What is Temperance in eating and drinking? Temperance in eating and drinking is a virtue by which we control ourselves, especially our appetite for eating and drinking.

Examples: Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias (Dan. i.); John the Baptist (Matt. iii. 4). Let us walk honestly, not in rioting and drunkenness' (Rom. xiii. 13).

23. What is Brotherly Love?

Brotherly Love is a virtue by which we wish every one well, and sincerely rejoice and condole with our neighbor.

'Love one

Examples: The history of Ruth and of Tobias. another with the charity of brotherhood. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep' (Rom. xii. 10, 15).

24. What is Diligence?

Diligence is a virtue which enables us to serve God readily and cheerfully, to promote His honor as much as lies in our power, and faithfully to perform all our duties.

Examples: Mathathias (1 Mac. ii.); St. Paul (Philip. iii. 13, 14). In carefulness [be] not slothful; in spirit fervent; serving the Lord' (Rom. xii. 11).

Application. Unless you perseveringly struggle with your wicked inclinations, you will never acquire the Christian Virtues; therefore fight faithfully until death, and God will give you the crown of life (Apoc. ii. 10).

§ 2. On Christian Perfection.

25. Why should we all endeavor to attain the perfection suitable to our condition ?

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1. Because our Lord and Saviour says to all: Be you perfect, as also your Heavenly Father is perfect' (Matt. v. 48);

2. Because we are commanded to love God with our whole heart, and with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, and with our whole strength (Mark xii. 30);

3. Because the more holy our life is upon earth, the greater will be our happiness in Heaven; and

4. Because we easily fall into grievous sin, and finally run into eternal perdition, if we do not continually endeavor to increase in virtue (Matt. xxv. 29).

26. In what does Christian Perfection consist? Christian Perfection consists in this: that, free from all inordinate love of the world and of ourselves, we love God above all, and all in God.

'What have I in Heaven? and besides Thee what do I desire upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion for ever' (Psalm lxxii. 25, 26).

27. Which is in general the way to Perfection? The imitation of Jesus Christ.

'If thou wilt be perfect, . . . and come, follow me' (Matt. xix. 21).

28. What particular means of attaining Perfection have been recommended by Jesus Christ?

Chiefly those which are called Evangelical Counsels.'

29. Which are the Evangelical Counsels ?

1. Voluntary Poverty; 2. Perpetual Chastity; and 3. Entire Obedience to a Spiritual Superior.

30. What is Voluntary Poverty?

It is a free renunciation of all temporal things, in order to be less distracted in striving for those that are eternal.

'If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come. follow me' (Matt. xix. 21).

31. What is Perpetual Chastity?

It is a free and perpetual renunciation, not only of all impure pleasure, but even of marriage, in order that we may render undivided service to God.

'Now concerning virgins, I have no

See Matt. xix. 10-12. commandment of the Lord, but I give counsel: He that giveth his virgin in marriage, doth well; and he that giveth her not, doth better' (1 Cor. vii. 25, 38). 'If any one shall say that the marriage state is to be preferred to the state of virginity, or of celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity, or in celibacy, than to be united in matrimony, let him be anathema' (Counc. of Trent, Sess. 24, Can. 10).

32. What is Entire Obedience?

It is a renunciation of one's own will, in order to do the Divine will more surely under a Superior who represents God (Matt. xvi. 24).

33. Why are the Evangelical Counsels special means of Perfection ?

1. Because by them the chief obstacles to Christian Perfection are removed-namely, the inordinate love and desire of earthly goods, sensual pleasures, and the pride of independence; and 2. Because by them man sacrifices to the Lord his God all that he has and is : his exterior goods, by the vow of poverty; his body, by the vow of chastity; and his mind or will, by the Vow of obedience.

Of these Evangelical Counsels our Divine Redeemer meant to speak when He said: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given' (Matt. xix. 11).

34. Who are obliged to observe the Evangelical Counsels ?

All Religious, and all those who have bound themselves by vow to keep them.

The Secular Clergy also, when they receive the Greater Orders, bind themselves to perpetual chastity, in order to be able to devote themselves entirely, and with an undivided heart, to the service of God and of their neighbor. 'He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife is solicitous for the things