The Virtue of Prudence and Justice Notre Dame

The Virtue of Prudence and Justice Notre Dame Seminary T 2 Formation Conference

I. The Virtue of Prudence n Prudence is infused into the practical intellect for right concrete action in view of supernatural end n it is a fulcrum for all other moral virtues n it points out the just mean for all moral actions n without prudence no virtue can become perfect

n Importance n Helps one to avoid sin n Judges what should be done to grow in sanctification n Assists in the apostolate

n Vices opposed n Imprudence n precipitation n acting without attention to proper steps and proper deliberation n inconsideration n a spurning of making a judgment or no attention to it n inconstancy n the abandoning of a good judgment because of some difficulty

n n Negligence n A failure to even command the action False prudence n carnal prudence n craftiness n guile n fraud n lack of confidence in divine providence

n Method of Progress n Beginners – the virtue of prudence is often lacking in the young due to a lack of experience and the predominance of emotions over reason n avoid sins that are opposed to prudence mentioned above n Practice referring all actions to the ultimate end – ask the question: “Quid hoc ad aeternitatem? ”

n Advanced Souls n seek God’s glory n practice choosing the greater good n intensify practice of self-denial and mortification

II. The Parts of Prudence n Integral Parts (elements which are required for the perfection of a given virtue) n Memory of the past – one must learn from experience n Understanding of the present – to judge the morality and/or fittingness of a given act in the present n Docility – willingness for the inexperienced to accept the counsel and advice of the experienced

n n n Sagacity – ability to act rightly in an urgent situation where no time is available Reasoning power – ability to give required deliberation and consideration when time affords opportunity Foresight – need to judge means in view of end Circumspection – take into account special circumstances surrounding a given act Precaution – consideration of possible obstacles exterior or interior to oneself due to weakness, etc.

n n Subjective Parts (species or divisions of the virtue) n personal prudence – governance of self n social prudence – governance of others Potential Parts (annexed or related virtues) n Good counsel – advises concerning apt means for action n Common sense – judge according to common laws n Perspicacity – ability to apply higher principles in the absence of a law

III. The Gift of Counsel n Definition n Gift that perfects the operation of the virtue of prudence, operating under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. n The gift often commands actions that could never be explained by human reason, even by reason with light of faith n The gift of Counsel is especially needed when there is need for an immediate judgment and no time for deliberation

n Effects n Preserves one from the dangers of a false conscience n Provides solutions to difficult and unexpected situations n Inspires superiors with the most apt means in the governance of others n Increases one’s docility to legitimate superiors

n Opposed Vices n precipitation – the acting on one’s own judgment instead of waiting on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit n tenacity – attachment to one’s own judgment n procrastination – not acting when the Holy Spirit is prompting and thus losing the grace

n Means of Growth n Cultivate a profound humility n this places one dependent upon the Holy Spirit n avoid haste in proceeding with a decision n listen in silence to the voice of God n have docility to ecclesiastical superiors through whom God speaks

IV. The Virtue of Justice n Justice Itself n Definition n Supernatural habit which inclines the will constantly and perpetually to render to each one what is due in the strict sense n it perfects the will n it always involves reference to another, strict obligation, and exact adequation n it prepares the way for peace, the tranquility of order

n Parts of Justice Integral Parts n refraining from doing evil to one’s neighbor doing the required good to one’s neighbor n n

n subjective parts n legal justice (inclines one to render to society it’s due in view of the common good of that society) n Distributive justice (inclines one in charge to bestow things in their proper proportion according to dignity, need, etc. ) n commutative justice (inclines one to render to another individual what is his due)

n potential parts n religion – cult due to God n piety – duties towards one’s parents n observance, n gratitude – benefits received dulia, obedience – obligations towards a superior

n vindication – just punishment n truth, affability, liberality – with social relations n equity – ability to depart from the letter of the law in order to preserve the law’s spirit

n Means of Progressing in Justice n Negative Means n avoid all injustices, however slight n avoid unnecessary debts and pay existing debts promptly n treat another’s possessions as one’s own n protect and defend the good name of others n avoid any kind of preference of persons or human respect

n Positive Means n rendering our neighbor his due – commutative justice n judge in favor of society or organization, etc. as a whole in making decisions n be solicitous to fulfill one’s obligations to the law of society

V. The Virtue of Religion n Definition n the virtue which inclines man to give to God what is due Him as first principle n it is the most excellent of the virtues derived from justice n its material object is the internal and external acts of worship

n Acts of Religion n Internal n devotion – promptness of will to give itself over to the service of God n by definition it must be rendered to God and not to His creatures n devotion to saints is really a veneration of God in them n the virtue of devotion resides in the will n prayer – resides in the intellect predominantly

n External n n n n adoration sacrifice offerings vows oaths adjuration invocation of name of God

n Sins opposed to Religion n By excess n superstition n rendering to God what is unworthy of Him n rendering to man what should be rendered to God

n By defect n tempting God n perjury n sacrilege n simony

VI. The Virtue of Piety n Definition n A supernatural habit inclining one to render one’s parents, country, and those related to these the reverence and service required n material object – acts of honor, reverence, etc. given to one’s parents, country, or those related to these n formal object – as secondary principle of one’s being

n Sins against virtue of piety n They are special sins which need to be declared in confession n Excess n excessive love for one’ parents or country to disrespect of rights of others, including God n Defect n impiety – neglect of duties toward one’s parents, country, or relations

VII. The Gift of Piety n The gift of piety is a supernatural habit which causes a filial love for God as Father and a sentiment of universal brotherhood with all persons as children of the same Father n resides in the will n considers God as Father who has engendered supernatural life in us n venerate all men insofar as they are related to God, children of the same Father, thus our brothers and sisters n it perfects justice n world and creation are seen as the “House of the Father”

n Effects of Gift of Piety n gives a filial tenderness toward God the Father n “we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (cf. Rom 8: 15 -16) n gives filial abandonment to the Father (“Into your hands I commend my spirit”) n gives vivid awareness of the divine Paternity within the Trinity, generating the Son

n n n n allows us to see in our neighbor the image of the Son of God and to weep with those who weep (cf. Mt. 25) to love all persons and things that are related to the Fatherhood of God and His family B. V. M. Saints and angels Souls in purgatory Pope Priests Churches and holy objects

n n Vices Opposed to the Gift of Piety n Hardness of Heart – an ill-regulated love of ourselves causing us to be unaffected by offenses toward God and His family Means of Progress n Cultivate the spirit of adopted sons of God n beg for the gift of spiritual adoption and its awareness (cf. Dom Marmion) n do all in order to please your Heavenly Father

n n n Cultivate a spirit of universal brotherhood and embrace the entire world with such love n “there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free” (Gal 3: 26 -28) Consider all things as pertaining to the “House of God” n Eg. St. Francis of Assisi Cultivate a spirit of complete abandonment to the Father n Trust and recognition of Divine Providence n Sacrament of the Moment

VIII. Virtue of Observance n n Definition n honor - owed to all persons of excellence n obedience – owed to those who have jurisdiction over us Honor n Saints – dulia n Mary – hyperdulia n Joseph – proto-dulia n God – latria

n Obedience n virtue by which one’s will is prompt to carry out the commands of a superior n religious superior n parents n civil authority n employer n pastor

n formal motive n authority representing God n This is often lacking, and when it is, there is only material obedience and not formal obedience. Then there is no real virtue of obedience. n Eg. grumbling and interior resistance, affection for superior of disordered nature, and mere reasonableness of command

n n classical divisions of obedience n mere external execution n internal submission of will n submission of intellectual judgment Other elements important to obedience: n necessity to see Christ in Superior n ability to give reasons humbly against a given command n Obedience is the prosperity of religious communities and its lack the downfall of communities

n Characteristics of Obedience n spirit of faith – see superior as representing God n conviction of command – infallibility of obeying and knowing will of God for me n offered for love of God – sacrifice my will and difficulty of obeying n promptness – not making Jesus wait n complete submission (total surrender)

n n n spontaneity and joy – even anticipating the desires of the superior humility – not drawing attention to one’s sacrifice encountered in obeying magnanimity – gives the strength of martyrs universality – to obey and all superiors at all times perseverance – to remain faithful in obedience in sickness and health, no matter what cost to me

n False Obedience (Royo, 459 -460) n Routine or mechanical obedience – like a robot without any interior devotion n legal obedience – just a minimalization of following the letter of the law n critical obedience – command is done but superior is criticized n paralyzed obedience – lax communities when obedience is not exacted

n n n pseudo-mystical obedience – one invokes obedience to God (Holy Spirit) in order to be disobedient to a superior camouflaged disobedience – inducing superior to change command paradoxical obedience – pretense; imposing my will on superior pharisaical obedience – act without submitting one’s will spirit of opposition – caucus against superior, warring factions

n n egoistic obedience – motivated so as to win the esteem or affection of the superior spirit of murmuring – unwilling acceptance of the will of the superior. The act is carried out with grumbling half-hearted obedience – doing the task sloppily slothful obedience – neglecting the fulfillment of the command; needing to be told numerous times before accomplishing it