The Three Theological Virtues

Question 1

Faith

belief in God as a gift and a response. Faith invites us to believe in God and also to accept or reject Him.

Answer 1

• We believe in God and believe all that God has revealed to us
• We freely commit our entire selves to God
• We seek to know and do God’s will

Question 2

Hope

enables us to live for the Kingdom and eternal life. It helps us overcome discouragement. It works with faith and love to give us confidence to live a better life.

Answer 2

• We desire eternal life and the graces to merit it
• We trust in Christ’s promises and rely on the help of the Holy Spirit
• God has placed the desire for happiness in the heart of every person: hope responds to this desire

Question 3

Love/Charity

is the greatest of all the theological virtues (1 Cor 13:13); it gives to the commandment to love all things, including one’s neighbour. God is Love, and Love is God. Love makes all things possible.

Answer 3

• We love God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God.
• By loving one another we imitate the love of Jesus which we receive
• Inspires the practice of all the virtues
• It upholds and purifies our human ability to love