beatitude: Our vocation as Christians, the goal of our existence. It is true blessedness or happiness which we experience partially here on earth and perfectly in Heaven.
cardinal virtues: Based on the Latin word for “pivot,” four virtues that are viewed as pivotal or essential for full Christian living: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
catechism: A popular summary, usually in book form, of Catholic doctrine about faith and morals and commonly intended for use within formal programs of catechesis.
Eternal Law: The order in creation that reflects God’s will and purpose; it is eternal because it is always true and never changes. All other types of law have their basis in Eternal Law and are only true if they reflect the truth of Eternal Law.
fortitude: Also called strength or courage, the cardinal virtue that enables one to maintain sound moral judgment and behavior in the face of difficulties and challenges; one of the four cardinal virtues.
hope: The theological virtue by which we trust in the promise of God and expect from God both eternal life and the grace we need to attain it; the conviction that God’s grace is at work in the world and that the Kingdom of God established by and through Jesus Christ is becoming realized through the workings of the Holy Spirit among us.
justice: The cardinal virtue concerned with the rights and duties within relationships; the commitment, as well as the actions and attitudes that flow from the commitment, to ensure that all persons—particularly those who are poor and oppressed—receive what is due them.
love: The human longing for God and a selfless commitment to supporting the dignity and humanity of all people simply because they are created in God’s image. Also called “charity,” it is one of the three theological virtues.
moral law: The moral law is established by God and is a rational expression of eternal law. Moral law reflects God’s wisdom; it is the teaching that leads us to the blessed life he wants for us.
natural law: The moral law that can be understood through the use of reason. It is our God-given ability to understand what it means to be in right relationship with God, other people, the world, and ourselves. The basis for natural law is our participation in God’s wisdom and goodness because we are created in the divine likeness.
New Law: Divine Law revealed in the New Testament through the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and through the witness and teaching of the Apostles. The New Law perfects the Old Law and brings it to fulfillment. Also called the Law of Love.
Old Law: Divine Law revealed in the Old Testament, summarized in the Ten Commandments. Also called the Law of Moses. It contrasts with the New Law of the Gospels.
prudence: The cardinal virtue by which a person is inclined toward choosing the moral good and avoiding evil; sometimes called the rudder virtue because it helps steer the person through complex moral situations.
temperance: The cardinal virtue by which one moderates his or her appetites and passions to achieve balance in the use of created goods.
theological virtues: The name for the God-given virtues of faith, hope, and love. These virtues enable us to know God as God and lead us to union with him in mind and heart.
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