Virtue

Virtue: refers to faith, hope, and love (theological virtues), as well as prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance (cardinal virtues). Virtue is an overflow of grace; a response to grace and a participation in the life of grace. The three theological virtues–faith, hope, and love–are infused into the soul upon baptism and are considered to be a unique participation in the life of the Trinity. The theological virtues are pure gift, infused within the soul upon baptism. The four cardinal virtues–prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance–are habits established through practice. While wholly insufficient for salvation when left to themselves, the four cardinal virtues are signs of a mature Christian life.