Pius X Catechism – Theological Virtues

Location: On the Virtues and Vices > Theological Virtues

Q1: What is a supernatural virtue?

A1: A supernatural virtue is a quality infused by God into the soul by which the latter acquires inclination, facility, and promptness to know good and do it towards eternal life.

Q2: How many principal supernatural virtues are there?

A2: The principal supernatural virtues are seven: three theological, and four cardinal virtues.

Q3: What are the theological virtues?

A3: The theological virtues are: Faith, Hope and Charity.

Q4: Why are Faith, Hope and Charity called theological virtues?

A4: Faith, Hope and Charity are called theological virtues, because they have God as their immediate and principal object, and are infused by Him.

Q5: How can the theological virtues have God for their immediate object?

A5: The theological virtues have God for their immediate object, in this way that by Faith we believe in God, and believe all He has revealed; by Hope, we hope to possess God; and by Charity, we love God and in Him we love ourselves and our neighbour.

Q6: When does God infuse the theological virtues into the soul?

A6: God in His goodness infuses the theological virtues into the soul when adorning us with His sanctifying grace; and hence when receiving Baptism we were enriched with these virtues and, along with them, with the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

Q7: Is it enough towards salvation, to have received the theological virtues in Baptism?

A7: For one who has come to the use of reason, it is not enough to have received the theological virtues in Baptism; it is also necessary to make frequent acts of Faith, Hope and Charity.

Q8: When are we obliged to make acts of Faith, Hope and Charity?

A8: We are obliged to make acts of Faith, Hope and Charity, when we come to the use of reason; often during life; and when in danger of death.