Mary and the Theological Virtues

The catechism explains the theological virtues

The human virtues are rooted in the theological virtues, which adapt man's faculties for participation in the divine nature (cf. 2P 1:4): for the theological virtues relate directly to God.

They dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity.

They have the One and Triune God for their origin, motive, and object. (1)

The theological virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity; they animate it and give it its special character.

They inform and give life to all the moral virtues. They are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life.

They are the pledge of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of the human being.

There are three theological virtues (cf. 1Co 13: 13):

• faith,

• hope,

• and charity. (2)

The Second Vatican Council shows Mary as our model

“The Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ.” (3)

 

(1) Catechism of the Catholic Church 1998 § 1812-1813

(2) Catechism of the Catholic Church 1998 §1813

(3) Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 63