Pax Orbis

Mental prayer is of the utmost importance for those who wish not only to achieve heaven, but to strive for sanctity. To learn about mental prayer, please click here for part 1 and go here for part 2.

Various meditations

• Meditation on spiritual progress
• Purity of intention
• The Mystery of the Incarnation

Meditations on the moral virtues

This list of virtues given below is based on one compiled by Fr. Chad Ripperger, which in turn is distilled from St. Thomas Aquinas.

Prudence (know the means to attain the end)

1. Memory (memoria)
2. Understanding (intellectus)
3. Docility (docilitas)
4. Shrewdness (solertia)
5. Reason (ratio)
6. Foresight (providential)
7. Circumspection (circumspectio)
8. Caution (cautio)
9. Potential parts of Prudence/Good Counsel (eubulia): the habit of taking good counsel
10. Synesis: the ability to know what to do when the common law applies/Gnome: the ability to know what to do when the common law does not apply

Justice (render to another his due)

11. Commutative: justice between individuals
12. Legal: justice of the individual to the common good
13. Distributive: justice of those in charge of the common good to the individual
14. Restitution: the habit by which one pays back what one owes
15. Religion: the virtue by which we render to God what is due to Him
16. Devotion: the habit by which one has a prompt will to do those things pertaining to the service of God
17. Prayer: the act (also a virtue) of lifting one’s mind and heart to God
18. Adoration: the act (also a virtue) by which one exhibits due reverence to God
19. Sacrifice: an act (also a virtue) by which one offers to God some good in the form of oblation
20. Vow: binding oneself by means of a promise to doing something (usually in relation to the service of God)
21. Adjuration: the swearing or taking of an oath, such as in a court of law
22. Piety: the virtue by which one renders to one’s parents due honor and reverence
23. Observances: making acts of religion
24. Dulia: giving due honor to one’s superiors
25. Obedience: promptness of will to do the will of one’s superior
26. Gratitude or Thankfulness: appreciation (normally expressed) to a benefactor for some gift given
27. Just vindication: the habit by which one puts an end to the harm caused by others
28. Truthfulness (in english: honesty): the habit of telling the truth
29. Friendship or affability: the virtue by which one is able to be befriended
30. Liberality: the use of one’s surplus means to aid the poor
31. Epieikeia: the virtue by which one knows the mind of the legislator

Fortitude (be willing to engage the arduous)

32. Magnanimity: the virtue by which one seeks excellence in all things but especially great things
33. Magnificence: the virtue by which one uses his wealth to do great things
34. Patience: the ability to suffer evils
35. Perseverance: the virtue by which one persists in the arduous good until the end is achieved
36. Longanimity: longness of soul; the ability to await the good

Temperance (moderate the pleasures of touch)

37. Shame: fear of being perceived as lowly
38. Honestia: the habit of always seeking to do what is virtuous in each situation (may also be called integrity)
39. Abstinence: refraining from the eating of certain kinds of food
40. Fasting: refraining from eating good in general
41. Sobriety: the virtue by which one has moderated use of alcohol
42. Chastity: the virtue which moderates the pleasures of touch in relation to those matters pertaining to the 6th Commandment
43. Virginity: the habit of mind or soul which always refrains from taking delight, even interiorly, from pleasures associated with the 6th Commandment
44. Continence: a virtue of the will by which one remains steadfast despite the tumult of the appetites (usually in relation to matters pertaining to the 6th Commandment
45. Clemency or meekness: moderation of the delight of vindication (of anger)
46. Modesty Proper: the virtue in which one’s externals do not draw others into sins against the 6th and 9th Commandment
47. Humility
48. Eutrapelia: the virtue of right recreation
49. Decorum: the virtue in which one’s externals suits person and circumstances
50. Silence: the virtue by which one does not speak unless necessary; also the virtue in which one seeks to have interior quiet of the appetites
51. Studiosity: the virtue in which one pursues knowledge according to one’s state in life
52. Simplicity: the virtue in which one moderates one externals as to quantity (having neither more than is necessary nor less)