During his catechesis for the day, Pope Francis reflected on the virtue of fortitude, which “ensures the firm and constant desire to seek the good.”
The Pope noted that this virtue helps us “overcome internal enemies such as anxiety, anguish, fear, guilt and many other forces that stir within us and that so often paralyze us. It also helps us fight the external enemies that present themselves in life in various kinds of difficulties.”
SUMMARY OF THE POPE'S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear brothers and sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on the virtues, we now consider fortitude, which the Catechism defines as “the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.” With the help of this virtue, we are strengthened in our daily efforts, sustained by grace, to resist temptation and to overcome all obstacles to living fully our new life in Christ. Those obstacles may be from within, such as fear, anxiety or guilt, or from without, such as trials, tribulations or persecution. Cultivating the virtue of fortitude makes us take seriously the reality of evil and actively combat all forms of injustice in the world around us. May the example of fortitude and perseverance shown by Jesus and the saints encourage us in our journey of Christian faith and confirm our trust in the risen Christ’s definitive victory over sin and death.
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from England, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States of America. I also want to convey to the people of Kazakhstan my spiritual closeness at this time, when massive flooding has affected many regions of the country and caused thousands of people to be evacuated from their homes. I invite everyone to pray for all who are suffering the effects of this natural disaster. Even in times of difficulty, we recall the joy of the risen Christ, and I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you all!
JRB
TR: KG
