Virtues and Saints

This year, as a school family, we are focusing on virtues. Stemming from the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, SPCCS names two virtues each month to learn about and strive to live out. Additionally, our students discover more about a saint who embodies those particular virtues. As St. George of Nyssa said, "The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God, " and at SPCCS we embrace the virtues and strive to live this virtuous life.

For the month of January, the virtues are Moderation and Sincerity. On January 4, we celebrated Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the patron saint of parochial schools.

Born an Episcopal two years before the American Revolution, Elizabeth Ann Bayley married William Seton and had five children at a very young age. Although born into wealth, she chose to live a simple life, immersing herself in books of all genres. In addition to her own children, she also found herself having to care for her husband's seven siblings. The young couple's importing business ultimately failed and the family moved to Italy for a time. William died of tuberculosis in Italy, leaving Elizabeth to search for meaning in tragedy. After discovering Catholicism in Italy, she returned to the United States and joined the Church in New York in 1805. Elizabeth founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph, which was the first community for religious women in the US. She also formed the first parochial school, Saint Joseph's Academy and Free School. Her favorite prayer was Psalm 23 and she developed a special devotion to the Eucharist, sacred Scripture and the Virgin Mary. Elizabeth died at 46, only 16 years after becoming a Catholic. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII in 1963 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.

Moderation is considered a virtue in many religions around the world. In Catholicism, it is one of the four cardinal virtues: justice, wisdom, courage and moderation. In today's society of extremes and instant gratification, moderation is a critical virtue to the growth and development of young, impressionable character. While moderation does not mean deprivation, it is a balancing act of temperance, discipline and self-restraint against the temptation of indulgence. The rewards of moderation are realized in the long game by avoiding impulsiveness and employing careful thought.

The virtue of Sincerity is one that enhances our relationships with others, our Church and ourselves. From the Latin sinceritas, at the heart of sincerity is honesty and serious-mindedness in all your conduct and espeically your communications. In everyday life, we can live out the virtue of sincerity by exuding genuineness, keeping confidences, curbing sarcasm, avoiding dishonesty, and living above reproach.

For the month of December, the virtues are Magnificence and Generosity. On December 6, we celebrated Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and protector of children.

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.

Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas’ feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint’s horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.

Learn more about Saint Nicholas at Who is St. Nicholas? ::: St. Nicholas Center (stnicholascenter.org)

Please talk with your children about how they can live the virtues of Magnificence and Generosity. According to the Dominican Friars, Magnificence means to express courage in situations where big projects require substantial expenditures of time, money or energy. The magnificent person looks to the greatness of the work being undertaken, its value, and not simply to the cost, and does not allow fear of the cost to prevent wonderful works being done to honor God.

The virtue of magnificence gives us the courage to stand up for the precious, the unique and the irreplaceable, and to sponsor works of great value particularly in education, in the arts and crafts, in strengthening the life of communities, and in making more beautiful our worship of God.

Generosity means to selflessly give of ourselves. The perfect example of generosity is God the Creator. By means of His generosity, He generated man in His image. For Christians, God's gift of Himself through Christ represents the ultimate form of generosity, and serves as a model for all human generosity.

Because God created man in His image out of His own generosity, a dynamic impulse toward generosity is implanted in the depth of man's being. As a consequence, to live authentically means to give generously. Personality and generosity, therefore, are virtually synonymous. To live authentically is to give generously of oneself.

For the month of November, the virtues are Patriotism and Patience. On November 3, we celebrate Saint Martin de Porres, the patron saint of animals, mixed-race people, social justice, barbers, and the sick and suffering. On November 11, we celebrate Saint Martin de Tours, the patron saint of the poor, soldiers, and conscientious objectors.

Martin de Porres Velazquez was born in Lima, Peru, the son of the governor of Panama, Don Juan de Porres, and a freed slave named Ana Velazquez. He was a lay brother of the Dominican Order and established a children’s hospital and an orphanage. As a donado in the Dominican order, St. Martin had to do many lowly duties. He completed his chores with such care that he was called “the saint of the broom!” Although he worked as a barber at a young age, he was called to the priesthood at 15. He cared for the infirm and was well-respected for his knowledge of the medicinal uses of herbs, but he also had healing powers. He established an orphanage and children’s hospital. He also established a shelter for cats and dogs. Saint Martin de Porres is the first black saint from the Americas. He was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962.

Saint Martin of Tours was born in in Savaria, Pannonia, in either the year 316 or 336 AD. That region is what is today the nation of Hungary. Just before Martin was born, Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire and the bloody persecution of Christians soon came to an end. It was not the official religion of the State, but it could be practiced and proclaimed openly. The Gospel message soon flourished in ancient Rome, transforming the empire. Martin's parents were pagans, but at the age of 10, Martin chose to respond to the call of the Gospel and become a Christian. As a young soldier, Martin encountered a beggar in Amiens. The beggar was unclothed and it was very cold. Martin removed his cloak and with his sword, he cut it in half. He gave this half to the beggar and dressed himself in the remnant. That night, Martin had a vision in which Christ appeared to him. The vision spoke to him, "Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me." A catechumen is one who is being instructed in the Christian faith. In the early centuries of Christianity, that was a long process of instruction - and Martin was deeply dedicated to it.

Please talk with your children about how they can live the virtues of Patriotism and Patience. Patriotism means having a reasonable love and esteem for one’s own country. This is externalized by showing honor and respect to the rulers of the State, whoever they may be.

Patriotism means to discern which laws of the State are in accord with Catholic social teaching and which are opposed to the truth and to the Catholic Faith. It is the patriotic thing to correct error and bring the laws into accord with the fullness of the truth in Jesus Christ.

Patriotism means a willingness to lay down one’s life for their country. Some pay the greatest price by dying in the service of their country in the military. Others lay down their lives for their country day by day in the normal service of their duty to their family, their work, their community, and the poor and marginalized.

Patience for students means exercising self-control  and showing they can handle life when times get tough, having the ability to look outside of themselves, and withstanding judgment when they need to. Demonstrating patience means students have high moral standards in life. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that patience is a part of fortitude. Unlike fortitude, however, which remains steadfast when there is danger of death, patience consists in holding fast to what is good in the midst of sorrow or pain. He is in fundamental agreement with St. Augustine, who states that through patience a person is able to bear an evil without being disturbed by sorrow, so that he does not abandon those goods that might advance him to better things.

For the month of October, the virtues are Respect and Foresight. On October 16, we celebrate Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who demonstrated these two virtues. Margaret Mary was born at Terreau in Burgundy, on July 22, 1647. During her infancy she showed a wonderfully sensitive horror of the very idea of sin. In 1671 she entered the Order of the Visitation, at Paray-le-Monial, and was professed the following year. After purifying her by many trials, Jesus appeared to her in numerous visions, displaying to her His Sacred Heart, sometimes burning as a furnace, and sometimes torn and bleeding on account of the coldness and sins of men.

In 1675 the great revelation was made to her that she, in union with Father de la Colombière, of the Society of Jesus, was to be the chief instrument for instituting the feast of the Sacred Heart, and for spreading that devotion throughout the world. She died on October 17, 1690.

Please talk with your children about how they can live the virtues of Respect and Foresight. Respect is a habit that is central to human happiness. The core meaning of the word “respect” is to give something or someone particular attention and consideration. To respect someone means you recognize that he or she is important and deserves to be treated well. Like each of us, that person has a mind and human feelings.

Foresight for students means not only preparing for a career through a good education but also gathering wisdom to live well and to enjoy an abundant life. Thinking must always precede acting; otherwise, a person acts foolishly or imprudently without weighing the effects or reactions beforehand. Without foresight—an intelligent plan of action to achieve a goal—no one progresses toward a destination. Nothing learned—no matter the subject matter, book, or class—is ever wasted. Whatever a person learns in science, social studies, religion, or English, he will use in one capacity of another. Not to learn is to show no foresight. If not in his own profession, then in his own personal life a person will be glad he knows, glad he can teach others, glad to possess an informed mind capable of making intelligent decisions.

For the month of September, the virtues are Docility and Honesty. On September 5, we celebrate Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who demonstrated these two virtues. Mother Teresa left a testament of unshakable faith, invincible hope and extraordinary charity. Her response to Jesus' plea, "Come be My light," made her a Missionary of Charity, a "mother to the poor," a symbol of compassion to the world, and a living witness to the thirsting love of God. As a testament to her most remarkable life, Pope John Paul II permitted the opening of her Cause of Canonization. On December 20, 2002 he approved the decrees of her heroic virtues and miracles. Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 19, 2003.

Please talk with your children about how they can live the virtues of Docility and Honesty. Docility is the virtue of teachableness in students, allowing them to learn from the wise. Honesty is based on truth, but the truth of reality comes from God, the First Truth. The Christian virtue of honesty is elevated from the natural virtue of honesty by the different kind of sight given in faith. Christians have not only come to see the truth in the world around us, but we have come to see Truth’s own face.

For the month of August, the virtues are Prayerfulness and Industriousness. On August 27, we celebrated St. Monica, who demonstrated these two virtues. Today, with Google searches, online shopping, text messages, tweets, and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character, finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband, her cantankerous mother-in-law and her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine.

Prayerfulness is a relationship with a power greater than ourselves, one that loves us and knows us intimately. We live in the presence of our Creator, mindful that every act, decision and thought is meaningful. Prayer is quiet reflection that cleanses the mirror of the soul. It is a sacred conversation that opens us to forgiveness, hope and renewed intentions. We listen and receive spiritual guidance. We ask for help, heighten our awareness and watch for it to come. Praying our gratitude keeps us in the flow of Grace.

Pope Saint John Paul II said, "One can say that through his work the human person becomes more human. This is why Industriousness is a virtue. For industriousness effectively to permit the person to become more human, it must always be joined with the social disposition of work. Only in this way will we protect the inalienable dignity of the person and the human and social value of the work that is done."