(Death, Heaven, Purgatory, Hell)
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
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The Virtue of Hope
Fr. Charles M. Mangan
“Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (no. 1817). Thus the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the second of three theological virtues.
Often, faith and charity are frequently discussed as foundational to the Christian life, which, of course, they are. However, the supernaturally infused virtue of hope, also, is indispensable. Father Henry Davis, S.J., in Moral and Pastoral Theology, Volume I, offers a valuable treatment regarding the importance of hope. “The act of hope is absolutely necessary for salvation for all who have come to the use of reason. Since we cannot love God — and love of God is essential to salvation — unless we apprehend Him by faith as our Good and love Him as our Good, hope is necessary for the just as well as for sinners, since both must attain to eternal happiness by their own personal merits under God’s grace, and they could not attempt to do so without hope.” This Jesuit theologian underscores that hope is particularly crucial for sinners, “because without hope they cannot trust for forgiveness of their sins, and thus could not dispose themselves to receive the grace of conversion.”
Hope is very practical, for it ably assists the disciple of Jesus on his challenging pilgrimage to Paradise. This virtue enables him to grow in holiness, which means conformity to the Master. Hope, the Catechism asserts, purifies the endeavors of Christians “so as to order them for the Kingdom of Heaven” (no. 1818). Furthermore, hope “keeps man from discouragement . . . sustains him during time of abandonment . . . opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude” (no. 1818). In short, the follower of the Messiah who is rooted in hope “is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity” (no. 1818).
Hope, which has been vividly described as an anchor (cf. Hebrews 6:19-20) and a helmet (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:8), is clearly referred to by Our Blessed Lord Himself in the proclamation of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23). Prayer itself — especially the Our Father — nourishes the virtue of hope (cf. CCC, no.1820).
How may one be at fault concerning hope? Father Davis states that we may sin against the virtue of hope by omission (that is, “when we deliberately fail to elicit an act of hope when we ought to do so”) and commission (that is, aversion from God and Heaven; despair; presumption). Regarding omission, each Christian is to make an act of hope when he “comes to the use of reason, and the reality of God’s existence and man’s destiny are sufficiently apprehended, for at that moment he must consciously wish to attain to his destiny.”
Concerning commission, one may sin in three ways: 1) by aversion from God and Heaven, which “is not that hatred of God which is opposed to charity . . . but it is a turning from God as from one’s own Supreme Good and turning to creatures instead,” which arises from lust or spiritual sloth; 2) by despair, which is “based upon a false though deliberate judgment that either God does not want to save us, or that He cannot do so in view of our sins, or that He is not ready to give us sufficient graces for salvation”; 3) by presumption, which “is an unfounded expectation of obtaining eternal happiness and the means necessary for it in ways other than God has willed.”
Whenever authentic hope is recognized in another, the observer comes away greatly edified, fortified in his own difficulties and strengthened in his personal pursuit of an increase in supernatural hope. Saint John Bosco (1815-1888), whom the Church liturgically commemorates on January 31, is a model of hope for all brothers and sisters of Jesus. Riddled by scorn heaped upon him by the anti-clerics of his day and acknowledging the horrendous obstacles which plagued the young men under his charge, Don Bosco responded with warmth, courage and charity. His eyes were fixed firmly on the Savior. This indefatigable apostle of the youth — hailed by Pope John Paul II as the “teacher and father to the young” — endured all trials which confronted him. Instead of lashing out in anger, he realized that God would preserve Him and give the success to his hands which the Lord Himself desired.
Saint John Bosco found that a persistent effort was crucial in order that the theological virtue of hope would develop. The frequent and worthy reception of the Sacraments (specifically Penance and the Most Holy Eucharist), daily recourse to Our Blessed Lady (particularly the Rosary), regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and reflection on Sacred Scripture and the lives of the saints will lead to a more profound hope, which in turn will result in a renewed fidelity to Jesus the High Priest.
When I was enrolled in our parish’s elementary school, our fifth grade instructor, Sister M. Vianney, P.B.V.M., taught us that praying the Angelus and the Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity three times per day would speed us along the journey to Heaven. The Act of Hope we learned captures precisely what we anticipated: “O my God, relying on Thine infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church concludes its consideration of the theological virtue of hope by quoting a passage from one of the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) in which this Discalced Carmelite speaks of the glories for which we ardently hope. “Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end” (no. 1821).
Father Mangan is a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D.