ETERNAL REST GIVE UNTO THEM, O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. AMEN.
The virtue of Fortitude combines in itsclf a number of admirable qualities, strength, vigour, endurance, intrepidity, self-sacrifice. It is a virtue that is required in all circumstances of difficulty or discouragement; and therefore it must be constantly employed in the exercise of every virtue. It is thus a Cardinal Virtue and a constituent of the spiritual atmosphere in which all our actions are performed. Consider how much we need it. Life is a long struggle between the forces of good and evil both within us and without us. We have a certain innate attraction to wards evil, circumstances incline us to it, obstacles in the way of goodness are many and great. In addition we are weak and inconstant and easily cast down. We want some special help against ourselves and our external enemies, a source of strength that we can draw upon on critical and unexpected occasions. Without this we shall be utterly incapable; our natural fortitude is insufficient for the conflicts of the supernatural life; we shall faint on the way, and fail to accomplish the great purpose of our lives. God grants us the infused virtue of Fortitude; and by means of it the weakest have become strong enough to do the work of heroes, and to triumph over the combined forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Consider your timidity, easiness of temper, shrinking from suffering, incapacity for sustained effort, readiness to be misled, and ask God to endow you with this wonderful gift.
