Theological virtues

The theological virtues, even divine virtues, Christian virtues or infused virtues are faith, hope and love. Unlike the Ten Commandments, these three virtues are no specific rules and regulations, but demanded of Christians settings or inner attitudes. They are complemented by the four inherited from the ancient philosophy cardinal virtues prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

In contrast to the human virtues, the theological virtues are called by God " poured " into the soul of the faithful. The human virtues are rooted in the divine.

Virtue is part of spiritual growth:

The earliest mention is found in 1 Thessalonians 1.3 EU, the most famous, however, in 1 Corinthians: " And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. " (1 Cor 13:13 EU).

On Pope Gregory the Great ( 540-604 ), the traditional canon of the seven virtues goes back by three divine virtues of faith ( fides ), love ( caritas ) and hope ( spes ) the ancient Platonic cardinal virtues of prudence ( prudentia ), justice ( justitia ), bravery ( fortitudo ) and moderation ( temperance ) imputing.

Tradition

Mention these virtues in the Clausula at the beginning of the Rosary ". Jesus, the faith several ... who strengthen us us hope ... the kindle the love within us "

Pope Benedict XVI. wrote of the divine virtues of love and hope the encyclicals Deus Caritas Est and Spe Salvi and had before his resignation from office to the encyclical lumen fidei started about faith, the Pope Francis was finishing.

Iconography

According to tradition the noble Christian widow Sophia Milan distributed their possessions to the poor, and traveled with her daughters Fides, Spes and Caritas, three consecrated virgins from Milan to Rome, where she suffered in the persecution of Christians under Hadrian martyrdom.

Belletristische reception

Odon von Horvath deals with this subject in his play Faith Love Hope - A small dance of death in five frames apart.