The Theological Virtue of Hope

Definition of Hope:

Enables one to desire God above all things and to trust Him for personal salvation

Related Saint: Saint Josephine Bakhita
Key Points of Hope:

• It's a supernatural gift of God infused at baptism
• It's the virtue of the wayfarer, keeping one fixed on eternal beatitude (heaven)
• It gives youthful freedom because one lives in expectation of eternal beatitude (heaven)
• It inspires and orders one’s actions to God
• It keeps one from discouragement
• It preserves one from selfishness
• It anchors the soul in God and enables one to be joyful under trial
• It is expressed and nourished in prayer

A Disciple of Christ:

• Knows heaven is our true home
• Strives to live the Beatitudes
• Accepts sufferings and trials with patience, perseverance, and joy
• Nourishes and expresses it in prayer
• Finds comfort in the recollection of God’s love, shown to us to by Christ’s death on the Cross
• Looks to the saints as friends, intercessors, and guides

Read more in the Educator's Guide on pages 35-46

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