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The flavour of friendship reveals new things. A university friend from Kenya recently visited me. Little did I know that he loves the spring season. I thought he would appreciate summertime in Canada — the heat, like Kenya, but in his opinion, it’s way too humid here. Now as spring rolls around, I appreciate it in a new way: we get to see growth! Might I add, I love the chirping birds to start my day. They sound way better than an annoying alarm clock on cold winter mornings.

Growth is a necessary and important part of life. Career, relationships, talents, and skills, but might I also add, our character. The greatest personal investment can take place within ourselves. Virtues are qualities that exemplify excellence, moral judgement, and habit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions” (CCC 1803). I am reminded we are in a continuous state of growing and learning. 

There are four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. Prudence is known as the mother of all virtues. It is the habit of practical wisdom, knowing what to do in a given situation. Justice is the habit that gives God and other people their due. “The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbour” (CCC 1807). Temperance is moderation of appetite and desire. It is saying “no” to certain things to give a greater “yes” to better things. Fortitude is strength and perseverance. It can relate to physical challenges, but also emotional and spiritual toughness. 

Notwithstanding, there are three theological virtues within the Catholic faith. They are the gifts of faith, hope, and charity. It might seem a little soft, or even whimsical. But these are real virtues that are given to us. We don’t earn them. God’s love is quite generous and profound. He wants us to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. Faith is believing without seeing. “Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith ‘man freely commits his entire self to God. For this reason the believer seeks to know and do God’s will’” (CCC, 1814).

Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux felt a call to religious life at a young age. She was certain this was God’s will. She travelled with her father to Rome to personally speak with the Pope. She sought acceptance into the Carmelite Order, but needed special permission given her age. Many of us know her beautiful story: she was eventually accepted, professed her vows, and lived a short yet profoundly deep life with God. Her readings, l’Histoire d’une Âme (Story of a Soul), showed us the key to living a rich relationship with the Father through humble confidence. Faith: a gift that helps us live God’s beautiful plan for our lives!

There is the gift of hope. We don’t need to journey too far to experience a world of despair, sadness, and fear. Hope is given to help the greatest accomplishments take place. Hope enlightens the hearts and minds of those who take on a virtuous path. “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1817).

Did you know that Brother André was a simple porter and miraculously healed the sick? He was a lay brother in Montréal during the twentieth century. He also envisioned a Shrine to Saint Joseph on the hill of Mount Royal. While he witnessed the  construction of the initial plans, he never saw it finished. Today we have l’Oratoire Saint Joseph as his greatest work ever accomplished. This might be more grand than the many ex-votos and crutches that were left at the Oratory as testament to his intercession for physical healing. Hope: a tremendous gift that moves mountains, or builds shrines on them.

Above all is the gift of charity. “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC, 1822). This is not some gushy feeling, nor is it a platitude that one can sing or hum. This is a gritty virtue: to love when we are injured, to understand when we’ve been hurt, and to forgive when we’ve been wronged. It is self-denial for love of God and neighbour. 

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of charity. His Passion is proof. Jesus endured brutality to save us from sin. The crowds that welcomed Him on a donkey were the very crowds that yelled later that week, “Crucify him!”  He experienced a dark night of the soul—betrayed by His own disciples and denied by His chosen leader. He was whipped, scourged, and mocked. He later died on the Cross. His response? Unconditional love. Patient surrender to God’s plan and mercy towards those that hurt Him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). “Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: ‘So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity’“(CCC, 1826).

Springtime is growth time. Which area do we personally need to grow? If we take a look at the four cardinal virtues and three theological virtues, I am sure we can identify one or two that would be good for us to water and nurture. Here’s a practical approach to help us grow:

• Step One: give gratitude for our character. Start with thanksgiving for the many ways we have shown great character and good habits. There might be a situation where we can give thanks for how we responded or acted.
• Step Two: identify one or two virtues for growth in the coming spring and summer season. It could be one cardinal virtue, one theological virtue, or both. A key question we can ask ourselves is, “Which virtue would provide the greatest fruit in my life and with my relationship with others?”
• Step Three: review progress every week for the spring and summer. Begin to journal, or talk to a trusted friend. We can review where we did well, and where we did not. Taking time for reflection can regularly integrate these habits.

Just as plants need sun, water, and soil, our growth in character will need reflection, action, and accountability.

This article is part of the Leadership section. Check out more entries here!