YM Virtue: Week 2 Courage

Week 2 Courage (Fortitude)

The Basics

This week we are talking about virtue and courage (also called fortitude). Virtue is about joyfully pursuing the good in our lives and living a life of happiness now and for all eternity. Courage keeps us strong in times of adversity and enables us to overcome fear in everyday life and in extreme circumstances.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph 1804)

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. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good.

The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph 1808)

(Courage or) Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song.” “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Reflection questions

1. What are some things you are afraid of both goofy and serious?

2. When was a time you conquered fear?

3. What role does fear play in your life?

4. Does fear slow you down or prevent you from anything?

On the Deeper side

St. John Paul II’s First Homily as Pope

“Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. Help the Pope and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ's power to serve the human person and the whole of mankind. Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid. Christ knows "what is in man". He alone knows it.

So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.”

click here to read the full homily

Martin Luther King Jr's Last Speech