The moral virtue of fortitude; what it is and how it helps us...

Fortitude: One of the four cardinal virtues.

Simply stated, it is strength of mind allowing a person to withstand pain and adversity courageously.

Here is an example... A fireman runs into a burning house to rescue a child or adult, and takes him out of harms way, to safety.

In another example, a soldier runs out onto the battle field to pull his wounded brother from certain death, to get him medical aid.

In my own experience, when I was on the perimeter in Vietnam, and things started to get a little "dicey," come hell or high water, I had to stay at my post, and face whatever danger was approaching the wire.  Or, when my brothers and I were out in the boondocks, and a report came over the radio that a large contingent of enemy troops were heading in our direction, we had to stay put, hunker down, and prepare for the worst.

In any one of these examples, did anyone involved have to think about the virtue of fortitude?

No.

If they, or I, were interviewed after the fact, and were asked the question: did you have to think about what the consequences might be by running into that burning house?   Or saving a wounded brother from enemy fire?

Again, the short answer would be no.  We just went ahead and did what had to be done.  I guess you could say that fortitude was built into  us.  It helped us to overcome the fear of what we had to deal with.

But no one has to have the experience of running into a burning building, or saving a wounded soldier on the battlefield, just getting through the day sometimes can require great fortitude.

Always pray for that very important cardinal (moral) virtue of fortitude, and, if you have it, thank God for it.  If you don't have it, pray FOR it...

Gene DeLalla