Chapter I — On the principal virtues

§ 1. On the theological virtues

1. What is virtue?

Virtue is a quality of the soul, by which one has propensity, ease, and readiness to know and do good.

2. How many are the principal supernatural virtues?

The principal supernatural virtues are seven: namely, three theological and four cardinal.

3. Which are the theological virtues?

The theological virtues are: Faith, Hope, and Charity.

4. Why are Faith, Hope, and Charity called theological virtues?

Faith, Hope, and Charity are called theological virtues because they have God as their immediate and principal object, and are infused into us by Him.

5. In what way do the theological virtues have God as their immediate object?

The theological virtues have God as their immediate object, because by Faith we believe in God, and we believe all that He has revealed; by Hope we hope to possess God; by Charity we love God, and in Him we love ourselves and our neighbor.

6. When does God infuse the theological virtues into our soul?

God in His goodness infuses the theological virtues into our soul when He adorns us with His sanctifying grace; and therefore when we received Baptism we were enriched with these virtues, and with them, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

7. Is it enough for salvation to have received the theological virtues in Baptism?

For one who has the use of reason, it is not enough to have received the theological virtues in Baptism; it is also necessary to make their acts often.

8. When are we obliged to make the acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity?

We are obliged to make the acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity: 1. when we attain the use of reason; 2. often during the course of life; 3. in danger of death.

§ 2. On Faith

9. What is Faith?

Faith is a supernatural virtue, infused by God into our soul, by which we, relying on the authority of God Himself, believe to be true all that He has revealed, and that He proposes to us to believe through the Church.

10. In what manner do we know the truths revealed by God?

We know the truths revealed by God through the holy Church, which is infallible; that is, through the Pope, successor of Saint Peter, and through the Bishops, successors of the Apostles, who were taught by Jesus Christ Himself.

11. Are we sure of those things which the holy Church teaches us?

Of those things which the holy Church teaches us, we are most sure, because Jesus Christ has pledged His word that the Church should never be deceived.

12. By what sin is Faith lost?

Faith is lost by voluntarily denying or doubting even a single article proposed to us to believe.

13. How is Faith regained when lost?

Faith, once lost, is regained by repenting of the sin committed and believing anew all that the holy Church believes.

§ 3. On the mysteries

14. Can we understand all the truths of Faith?

No, we cannot understand all the truths of Faith, because some of these truths are mysteries.

15. What are the mysteries?

Mysteries are truths above reason which we must believe even though we cannot comprehend them.

16. Why must we believe the mysteries?

We must believe the mysteries because God has revealed them, who, being infinite Truth and Goodness, can neither be deceived nor deceive.

17. Are the mysteries contrary to reason?

The mysteries are above, but not contrary to, reason; indeed, it is reason itself that persuades us to admit the mysteries.

18. Why cannot the mysteries be contrary to reason?

The mysteries cannot be contrary to reason, because it is the same God who has given us the light of reason and revealed the mysteries, nor can He contradict Himself.

§ 4. On Sacred Scripture

19. Where are the truths which God has revealed contained?

The truths which God has revealed are contained in Sacred Scripture and in Tradition.

20. What is Sacred Scripture?

Sacred Scripture is the collection of books written by the Prophets and Hagiographers, by the Apostles, and by the Evangelists, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and received by the Church as inspired.

21. Into how many parts is Sacred Scripture divided?

Sacred Scripture is divided into two parts: into the Old and the New Testament.

22. What does the Old Testament contain?

The Old Testament contains the inspired books written before the coming of Jesus Christ.

23. What does the New Testament contain?

The New Testament contains the inspired books written after the coming of Jesus Christ.

24. By what name is Sacred Scripture commonly called?

Sacred Scripture is commonly called by the name of the Holy Bible.

25. What does the word Bible mean?

The word Bible means the collection of the sacred books, the book par excellence, the book of books, the book inspired by God.

26. Why is Sacred Scripture called the book par excellence?

Sacred Scripture is called the book par excellence by reason of the excellence of the matter of which it treats and of its Author.

27. Can there be no error in Sacred Scripture?

In Sacred Scripture there can be no error whatever, because, being wholly inspired, God Himself is the author of all its parts. This does not prevent that in copies and translations of the same some mistake by copyists or translators may have occurred. But in the editions revised and approved by the Catholic Church there can be no error in what concerns faith or morals.

28. Is the reading of the Bible necessary for all Christians?

The reading of the Bible is not necessary for all Christians, instructed as they are by the Church, but is nevertheless very useful and recommended to all.

29. May any vernacular translation whatever of the Bible be read?

One may read those vernacular translations of the Bible that are recognized as faithful by the Catholic Church and are accompanied by explanations approved by the Church herself.

30. Why may only translations of the Bible approved by the Church be read?

Only translations of the Bible approved by the Church may be read, because she alone is the legitimate custodian of the Bible.

31. Through whom can we know the true sense of the Sacred Scriptures?

The true sense of the Sacred Scriptures we can know only through the Church, because only the Church cannot err in interpreting them.

32. What should a Christian do if the Bible were offered to him by a Protestant or by some emissary of the Protestants?

If the Bible were offered to a Christian by a Protestant, or by some emissary of the Protestants, he should reject it with horror, because it is forbidden by the Church; and if he had received it without thinking, he should at once cast it into the flames, or hand it over to his own parish priest.

33. Why does the Church forbid the Protestant Bibles?

The Church forbids the Protestant Bibles because they are either altered and contain errors, or, lacking her approval and the declarative notes on obscure passages, they can harm the Faith. For this reason, the Church also forbids translations of Sacred Scripture already approved by her, but reprinted without the explanations approved by the same.

§ 5. On Tradition

34. Tell me: what is Tradition?

Tradition is the word of God not written, but communicated by living voice by Jesus Christ and by the Apostles, and having come down to us unaltered, from century to century, through the Church.

35. Where are the teachings of Tradition contained?

The teachings of Tradition are contained principally in the decrees of the Councils, in the writings of the holy Fathers, in the acts of the Holy See, in the words and usages of the sacred Liturgy.

36. In what account must Tradition be held?

Tradition must be held in the same account as is held the word of God revealed, contained in Sacred Scripture.

§ 6. On Hope

37. What is Hope?

Hope is a supernatural virtue, infused by God into our soul, by which we desire and await the eternal life which God has promised to His servants, and the helps necessary to obtain it.

38. For what reason must we hope from God for heaven and the helps necessary to attain it?

We must hope from God for heaven and the helps necessary to attain it, because God, most merciful, by the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, has promised it to him who serves Him from the heart; and being most faithful and almighty, He always keeps His promise.

39. What are the conditions necessary to obtain heaven?

The conditions necessary to obtain heaven are the grace of God, the exercise of good works, and perseverance in His holy love until death.

40. How is Hope lost?

Hope is lost whenever Faith is lost; it is also lost by the sin of despair or of presumption.

41. How is Hope regained when lost?

Hope, once lost, is regained by repenting of the sin committed, exciting anew confidence in the divine goodness.

§ 7. On Charity

42. What is Charity?

Charity is a supernatural virtue, infused by God into our soul, by which we love God for Himself above all things, and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God.

43. For what reasons must we love God?

We must love God because He is the supreme good, infinitely good and perfect; and moreover for the command He gives us of it, and for the many benefits we receive from Him.

44. How must God be loved?

God must be loved above all things, with all the heart, with all the mind, with all the soul, and with all our strength.

45. What does it mean to love God above all things?

To love God above all things means to prefer Him to all creatures, however dear and however perfect, and to be disposed to lose everything rather than offend Him and cease loving Him.

46. What does it mean to love God with all the heart?

To love God with all the heart means to consecrate to Him all our affections.

47. What does it mean to love God with all the mind?

To love God with all the mind means to direct to Him all our thoughts.

48. What does it mean to love God with all the soul?

To love God with all the soul means to consecrate to Him the use of all the powers of our soul.

49. What does it mean to love God with all our strength?

To love God with all our strength means to strive to grow ever more in love of Him, and to act so that all our actions have for motive and end the love of Him, and the desire to please Him.

50. Why must we love our neighbor?

We must love our neighbor for love of God, because He commands it of us, and because every man is His image.

51. Are we obliged to love even our enemies?

Yes, we are obliged to love even our enemies, because they too are our neighbor, and because Jesus Christ has made it an express command.

52. What does it mean to love one's neighbor as oneself?

To love one's neighbor as oneself means to desire for him, and to do for him as far as one can, that good which we must desire for ourselves, and not to desire nor to do him any evil.

53. When do we love ourselves as we ought?

We love ourselves as we ought, when we seek to serve God and place in Him all our happiness.

54. How is Charity lost?

Charity is lost by any mortal sin whatsoever.

55. How is Charity regained?

Charity is regained by making acts of love of God, by repenting and by confessing as one ought.

§ 8. On the cardinal virtues

56. Which are the cardinal virtues?

The cardinal virtues are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.

57. Why are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance called cardinal virtues?

Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance are called cardinal virtues because they are the hinge and the foundation of the moral virtues.

58. What is Prudence?

Prudence is the virtue that directs every action to its due end, and so seeks suitable means that the work may turn out wholly well done, and therefore acceptable to the Lord.

59. What is Justice?

Justice is the virtue by which we give to each what is due to him.

60. What is Fortitude?

Fortitude is the virtue that makes us courageous, so as not to fear any danger, not even death itself, for the service of God.

61. What is Temperance?

Temperance is the virtue by which we curb the disordered desires for sensible pleasures, and use temporal goods with moderation.