The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: “Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.” Simply put, fortitude is the virtue by which we continue to move forward in the face of difficulty.
Fortitude and courage often go hand-in-hand, because difficulties, challenges, and changes can often be frightening things. Chesterton nails it here. When we have nothing to be afraid of, we don’t need courage. Back in Advent, we learned that Chesterton said something very similar about the virtue of hope. Courage tends to lie dormant until we call it into action. Take some time today to reflect on the thing that might be causing fear or anxiety in your life. How will you be courageous and steadfast in the face of these challenges?
Come, Holy Spirit! Pour out upon us a spirit of courage and fortitude this Lent!
