Marital Virtues and Spiritual Teachings

Opening Invocation

• Prayer invoking the Holy Trinity.
• Recitation of the Hail Mary.

Preliminary Remarks

• Announcing an adult CCD class on virtues ($5 per packet, 5 sets available).
• Confessional schedule and availability detailed.
• Requirements for obtaining a plenary indulgence.
  • Receive Holy Communion.
  • Confession within two weeks before or after.
  • Prayers specified.

Marital Virtues

Self-Denial

• Essential in marriage for both partners.
• Marriage involves more self-denial than obtaining personal goods.

Continence and Chastity

• Continence: virtue in the will to stay steadfast despite emotional tumult.
• Necessary for situations where marital duties can't be rendered.
• Key for managing anger in marriage.

Humility

• Defined differently by authors (e.g., St. Thomas: moderating striving for excellence).
• Humility aids in admitting faults and following truth for the sake of marriage.
• Essential to avoid self-absorption and pride.

Meekness

• Mitigates and moderates anger (St. Thomas: resides in the sensitive appetite).
• Required for peaceful cohabitation.

Root Virtues: Meekness and Humility

• Both essential for the pursuit of other virtues.
• Jesus exemplifies these virtues: "learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart."
• Essential for proper self-judgment and tempering reactions.

Spirit of Mortification

• Willingness to suffer and endure trials and tribulations for marital harmony.
• Aids in developing personal sanctification and offering efficacious prayers for the family.

Benevolence and Benignity

• Benevolence: good will towards others, necessary for living in harmony.
• Benignity: involves execution of goodwill through actions, key to a joyful and virtuous life.

Prayer

• Under the virtue of justice, rendering to God what is due through prayer and sacrifices.
• Integral for obtaining grace, maintaining right order, and training children.
• Cultivates family peace and fulfills obligation to God.

Decorum

• Regulates one's external behavior to fit their state in life.
• Important for teaching children proper conduct and ensuring appropriate behavior within the family.

Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity

Faith

• Virtue infused in the intellect to assent to Church teachings as truth.

Hope

• Infused in the will to persist towards God’s promises.

Charity

• Infused to love God and neighbors as oneself for God's sake.
• Love of spouse should be for God's sake, detachment through self-denial.
• Charity perfects all other virtues and is the highest form of love.
• Love in action is true charity, seeking the salvation of souls.

Conclusion

• Marriage's principal end is the salvation of the couple's souls and giving glory to God.
• Strive for perfect charity for soul salvation.

Blessing

• Final blessing invoking the power of the Holy Trinity.