Pope Francis says "For the Christian, the first aid is God’s grace" and "let us persevere in fervent prayer for those who suffer the terrible consequences of war." FULL TEXT

POPE FRANCIS at the GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday, 13 March 2024
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Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 11. Virtuous action

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

After having concluded our overview of the vices, it is now time to take a look at the mirror image, which is in opposition to the experience of evil. The human heart can indulge evil passions, it can pay heed to harmful temptations disguised in persuasive garb, but it can also oppose all of this. However arduous this may be, the human being is made for goodness, which truly fulfils him, and is also able to practise this art, causing certain dispositions to become permanent in him or her. Reflection on this wondrous possibility of ours forms a classic chapter in moral philosophy: the chapter of virtue.

The Roman philosophers called it virtus, the Greeks aretè. The Latin term highlights above all that the virtuous person is strong, courageous, capable of discipline and ascesis: therefore, the exercise of the virtues is the fruit of long germination, requiring effort and even suffering. The Greek word, aretè, instead indicates something that excels, something that emerges, that elicits admiration. The virtuous person therefore does not become warped by distortion, but remains faithful to his own vocation, fully realizing himself.

We would be off-course if we thought that the saints were the exceptions of humanity: a sort of restricted circle of champions who live beyond the limits of our species. The saints, from this perspective we have just introduced regarding the virtues, are instead those who become themselves fully, who fulfil the vocation proper to every man or woman. What a happy world it would be if justice, respect, mutual benevolence, broadmindedness, and hope were the shared normality, and not instead a rare anomaly! This is why the chapter on virtuous action, in these dramatic times of ours in which we often have to come to terms with the worst of humanity, should be rediscovered and practised by all. In a distorted world, we must remember the form in which we were shaped, the image of God that is forever imprinted upon us.

But how can we define the concept of virtue? The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers us a precise and concise definition: “A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good” (no. 1803). Therefore, it is not an improvised or somewhat random good that falls from heaven sporadically. History shows us that even criminals, in moments of lucidity, have performed good deeds; certainly, these deeds are inscribed in the “book of God”, but virtue is something else. It is a goodness that stems from a slow maturation of the person, to the point of becoming an inner characteristic. Virtue is a habitus of freedom. If we are free in every act, and every time we are required to choose between good and evil, virtue is what enables us to have a tendency towards the right choice.

If virtue is such a beautiful gift, a question immediately arises: how is it possible to obtain it? The answer to this question is not simple, it is complex.

For the Christian, the first aid is God’s grace. Indeed, the Holy Spirit acts in us who have been baptized, working in our soul to lead it to a virtuous life. How many Christians have reached holiness through tears, finding they could not overcome some of their weaknesses! But they experienced that God completed that work of good that for them was only a sketch. Grace always precedes our moral commitment.

Moreover, we must never forget the very rich lesson from the wisdom of the ancients, which tells us that virtue grows and can be cultivated. And for this to happen, the first gift to ask of the Spirit is precisely wisdom. The human being is not a free territory for the conquest of pleasures, emotions, instincts, passions, without being able to do anything against these forces, at times chaotic, that dwell within. A priceless gift we possess is open-mindedness, it is the wisdom that can learn from mistakes in order to direct life well. Then, it takes good will: the capacity to choose the good, to form ourselves with ascetic exercise, shunning excesses.

Dear brothers and sisters, this is how we begin our journey through the virtues, in this serene universe that is challenging, but decisive for our happiness.

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Special Greetings

I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from the Netherlands and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that this Lenten season will be a time of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!

I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims, in particular to the Capitulars of the Carmelite Missionaries and the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whom I encourage to safeguard the spiritual heritage of their respective religious institutes.
I greet the faithful of the parish of Santa Maria Goretti in Frigole, the devotees of Santa Domenica from different locations, the Faculty of Canon Law San Pio . Greetings also go to the students of the Petty Officer School of the Navy of Taranto, who I urge to carry out their service with loyalty and generosity.
Finally, my thoughts go to the sick, the elderly, the newlyweds and the young people, especially the many students present, in particular at the Carbone e Rosati Institute in Sora. I invite you all to continue with commitment on the Lenten itinerary, ready to carry out gestures of Christian solidarity wherever Providence calls you to operate.
And please, let us persevere in fervent prayer for those who suffer the terrible consequences of war. Today they brought me a rosary and a Gospel of a young soldier who died at the front: he prayed with this. Many young people, many young people go to die! Let us pray to the Lord to give us the grace to overcome this madness of war which is always a defeat. My Blessing to all of you!
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Greetings

Je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, en particulier les nombreux groupes scolaires venus de France. Frères et sœurs, en ce temps béni de Carême, tournons-nous vers la Sainte Vierge, Siège de la Sagesse, afin que par son intercession nous nous mettions au service du bien. Que Dieu vous bénisse !

[Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini di lingua francese, in particolare i numerosi gruppi scolastici venuti dalla Francia. Fratelli e sorelle, in questo tempo benedetto di Quaresima, rivolgiamoci alla Madonna, Sede della Sapienza, affinché con la sua intercessione ci aiuti a metterci al servizio del bene. Dio vi benedica!]

I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from the Netherlands and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that this Lenten season will be a time of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!

[Do il benvenuto a tutti i pellegrini di lingua inglese, specialmente ai gruppi provenienti dai Paesi Bassi e dagli Stati Uniti d’America. Con fervidi auguri che questa Quaresima sia per voi e per le vostre famiglie un tempo di grazia e di rinnovamento spirituale, invoco su tutti la gioia e la pace del Signore Gesù. Dio vi benedica!]

Liebe Brüder und Schwestern deutscher Sprache, vergessen wir nicht, dass der Herr selbst uns auf dem Pfad der Tugenden begleitet. Vertrauen wir also auf seine Hilfe, damit wir in dieser Welt das Gute verbreiten können, dessen sie so sehr bedarf.

[Cari fratelli e sorelle di lingua tedesca, non dimentichiamoci che il Signore stesso ci accompagna sul sentiero delle virtù. Confidiamo dunque nel suo aiuto per poter diffondere nel mondo il bene di cui ha tanto bisogno.]

Saludo cordialmente a los peregrinos de lengua española. Pidamos al Espíritu Santo el don de sabiduría para que nos ayude a tomar decisiones y a ejercitar las virtudes, orientando nuestra vida por el camino del bien. Que Jesús los bendiga y la Virgen Santa los cuide. Muchas gracias.

Queridos peregrinos de língua portuguesa, bem-vindos! O Senhor vos encha de alegria e o Espírito Santo ilumine as decisões da vossa vida, para realizardes fielmente a vontade do Pai celeste. Sobre todos vós e vossas famílias e comunidades, vele a Santíssima Mãe da Igreja.

[Cari pellegrini di lingua portoghese, benvenuti! Il Signore vi ricolmi di gioia e lo Spirito Santo illumini le decisioni della vostra vita, per adempiere fedelmente il volere del Padre celeste. Su tutti voi e le vostre famiglie e comunità, vegli la Santissima Madre della Chiesa.]

أُحيِّي المُؤمِنِينَ النَّاطِقِينَ باللُغَةِ العَرَبِيَّة. المسيحيُّ مَدعُوٌّ إلى أنْ يُنَمِّيَ الفضيلةَ في حياتِهِ، لأنَّها تَسمَحُ له ليسَ فقط بأنْ يَعمَلَ أعمالًا صالِحَة، بل لأنْ يُعطِيَ أفضلَ ما فيهِ. بارَكَكُم الرَّبُّ جَميعًا وَحَماكُم دائِمًا مِن كُلِّ شَرّ!

[Saluto i fedeli di lingua araba. Il cristiano è chiamato a coltivare nella sua vita la virtù, perché essa gli consente, non soltanto di compiere atti buoni, ma di dare il meglio di sé. Il Signore vi benedica tutti e vi protegga ‎sempre da ogni male‎‎‎‏!]

Pozdrawiam serdecznie Polaków. W tych dramatycznych czasach, kiedy często spotykamy się z tym, co w człowieku najgorsze, potrzeba na nowo odkryć znaczenie pielęgnowania w sobie trwałej dyspozycji do czynienia dobra. Uczcie się tego od waszych Świętych, szukając pomocy w łasce Bożej. Z serca wam błogosławię.

[Saluto cordialmente i polacchi. In questi nostri tempi drammatici, nei quali facciamo spesso i conti con quanto vi è di peggio nella persona umana, è necessario riscoprire l’importanza di coltivare in noi stessi una disposizione abituale e ferma a fare il bene. Imparate questo dai vostri Santi, cercando l’aiuto della grazia di Dio. Vi benedico di cuore.]