Catholic Kermit

Today’s Rector’s Conference was for new guys on “The Moral Virtues in Relationship to Seminary Life:”

I.  Opening reflection: Ephesians 4:30-5:2

II.  Pope John Paul II speaks to French Bishops about Priestly Formation (March 22, 1997):

(8.) Composed of people from different walks of life, the seminary must become a family and, in that image, enable each young man, with his own sensitivity, to develop his vocation, to become aware of his future commitments and to be formed in the community, spiritual and intellectual life under the guidance of a team of priests and teachers trained specifically for this task.  … Further, it is appropriate to develop in candidates the practice of the theological and moral virtues, by training them to discipline their lives and to exercise self-control. A future priest must also learn to put his life in the Saviour’s hands, to consider himself a member of the diocesan Church and, through her, of the universal Church, and to undertake his activity in the perspective of pastoral charity.

III.  (this year’s seminary theme is) Living the Real: Jesus, the Incarnate Mystery

IV.  Habits & Virtues
        A.  “Habit” — a quality difficult to uproot that is well or ill-disposed regarding his nature or operations
        B.  “Virtue” — good habit

V.  Kinds of Virtues
        A.  The Natural Intellectual Virtues
                1.  Virtues of Speculative Intellect (Understanding of First Principles & Science)
                2.  Virtues of Practical Intellect (Art & Prudence)
        B.  The Nature Moral Virtues (Cardinal Virtues)
                Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Fortitude
        C.  Theological Virtues  (for next week)
                Faith, Hope, Love

VI.  Moral Virtue: PRUDENCE
        A.  Prudence — order of right reason applied to doing things (human acts)
        B.  Sins against Prudence
                1.  Sins by Defect
                        a.  Precipitation (Haste)
                        b.  Inconsideration (Thoughtlessness)
                        c.  Inconstancy
                        d.  Negligence
                2.  Sins by Excess
                        a.  Carnal Prudence — using reason to get an evil end
                        b.  Craftiness — use evil means to get a good end
                        c.  Excessive Solicitude — too prudent to move (paralyzed)

VII.  Moral Virtue:  JUSTICE
        A.  Justice — constant & perpetual will to render to everyone his due
        B.  Verbal Justice outside of judicial proceedings:
                        a.  Contumely (reviling, insult)
                        b.  Detraction (backbiting) — Simple (spread truth) & Calumny (spread lies)
                        c.  Whispering (tale-bearing)
                        d.  Derision (mockery) — joking manner
                        e.  Cursing — wishing evil on someone

VIII.  Moral Virtue:  TEMPERANCE
        A.  Temperance — moderate man’s appetites …
        B.  Vices opposed to Temperance
                1.  Insensibility — too much
                2.  Intemperance/Immoderation — do whatever you want
        C.  Related Virtue vs Vices
                1.  Abstinence (from food) vs Gluttony
                2.  Sobriety vs Drunkenness
                3.  Chastity, Purity, Virginity vs Lust
                4.  Meekness, Clemency vs Anger, Cruelty
                5.  Modesty vs Pride
                6.  Modesty of Action and Dress
                        a.  Good manner in society
                        b.  Modesty in external behavior (“father” neither too macho nor effete)
                        c.  Modesty in Recreation
                        d.  Modesty in Dress

IX.  Moral Virtue:  FORTITUDE
        A.  Fortitude — pursue a difficult good even in the face of death or danger
        B.  Vices:
                1.  Cowardice
                2.  Fearlessness
                3.  Foolhardiness (too clueless to know one should be afraid)
        C.  Assist vs Oppose
                1.  Magnanimity
                        a.  Presumption (overestimate our ability)
                        b.  Ambition
                        c.  Pusillanimity (underestimate ability)
                2.  Magnificence vs Stinginess
                3.  Patience vs Impatience
                4.  Perseverance vs Inconstancy

X.  Pope Benedict Speaks

XI.  Colossians 3:9-17

(no finished — details need to be added)