Book Review: The Virtue Driven Life

by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. (Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, Indiana, 2006.)

Virtue is a lost word today. I presume this is mostly because it arose out of the Christian milieu, but simply has no place to mean anything in a post-modern society, unless it is used disparagingly as an insult.

So, while I was buying a copy of one of Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s TV shows on the EWTN website, I wanted to add a couple of things to spread out the shipping charge; so I bought one of Father’s books called The Virtue Driven Life. The title intrigued me, since the study of the virtues is important to me both personally & as a religion teacher trying to impart such things to the kids in my care.

The book, obviously, concerns the Christian virtues: the moral virtues of Prudence, Temperance, Justice, & Fortitude, as well as the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, & Charity.

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Fr. Benedict makes a very important distinction that I’ve never heard made, but now, looking back, seems readily apparent. After discussing the natural traits we find admirable in others, he comments:

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“There are all kinds of good qualities that can be raised to the order of the supernatural, like justice & kindness. However, the supernatural virtues always include as their first motive the desire to please God & to do his will (p.21)”

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He goes on to explain that all people have the tendency toward the natural moral virtues (which tend toward the safety, comfort, pleasure, etc. of the individual & their loved ones), but not everyone has the supernatural moral virtues (which tend toward pleasing God & getting the individual & others to heaven). One can get up early to go to work as a natural virtue, but one who gets up early to pray is exercising supernatural virtue, even though it will likely not been seen as a virtue by those who do not have the supernatural gift.

The theological virtues have no natural counterpart, but are purely gifts from God. Fr. Benedict gives the catechism definition of each virtue, then expounds on it using examples from the history of the development of psychology (his field), from history – especially of the 20th century, & from his personal experience – which is quite vast.

He contrasts the natural virtue of religion with the supernatural virtue of Faith, & examines the phenomena of American religiosity which flounders somewhere in the middle.

He treats the virtue of hope by presenting & expounding on large passages from another great book by another great writer: Crossing the Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II, which was written as responses to questions about faith - or lack of it - in the modern world.

To introduce the virtue of charity (from Latin caritas), he starts with the 4 Greek words meaning "love": eros, storge, philia, & agape. He notes each in their classically understood sense, then explores how this works out in the world today. In this chapter, he references what I (& apparently Fr. Groeschel, too) believe to be one of the most important writings of our era: Deus Caritas Est by Pope Benedict XVI.

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There are various scripture passages scattered throughout, copious endnotes, & deeply profound prayers at the end of each chapter. The book ends with appendices with Excerpts for Meditation on the Sermon on the Mount & prayers for virtue by St. Augustine. Despite being a wonderful study of the Christian virtues, this book can also be used as a meditation or prayer book. This book is certainly a winner; I've no doubt that it will change many peoples lives & bring them further along their journey to God.

As a personal note, I have been praying long & hard for discernment in certain matters, & I'm sure God has guided to this book to me as an answer. At least, Faith tells me so.

H.E. Rating: 4-1/2 Shakes