“The virtues of Our Lord are not acquired all at once—their practice costs. Devote yourselves to them without fear, with courage and perseverance. They must be your adornment on the day on which he will present you to His Father…” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard)

Fortitude is “the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions…” (CCC 1808).

“Good and upright is the Lord; thus, he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” (Psalm 25:8-10)

Fortitude works closely with perseverance towards constancy. Father Eymard tells us we should strive fearlessly towards these virtues, persevering through all struggles. To persevere is to abide, and to abide is to remain.

If we love God with all our strength, then we remain in him, love like him, persist in him… Christ’s love in the Eucharist is our anchor. His banquet sustains us and helps us to endure that we may love with all our strength, imitating He who loves us enduringly throughout the ages. Just as His Cross was rooted in his love, so are we rooted… “Fortitude is love bearing all things readily for the sake of the beloved” (Saint Augustine).

Let us love and abide in God’s love. May we always remain in him, for “…If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we persevere, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:11-12)

Let us pray:

“O eternal God, grant me the virtue of perseverance; without it, no one can please You nor be acceptable to You. This virtue brings to the soul an abundance of charity and the fruit of every effort. Oh! How happy I should be, Lord, if You would give me this virtue because even here on earth, it will make me enjoy a pledge of eternal life.” (Saint Catherine of Siena)