The Virtue Driven Life is Fr. Groeschel’s treatment of the intersection of sound psychology and traditional Christian
teaching on virtue. Fr. Groeschel led an institute in North America for many years, combining scholarly achievements in psychology and theology with an apostolate that included founding a new branch of Franciscan religious life, extensive teaching and writing,
He also led a popular television program on EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network). The summary of that knowledge is in the book. Fr. Groeschel is orthodox and communicates his message in a winning, lively style. Do you feel that the Cardinal virtues are at work in you?
Summary of The Virtue Driven Life
The main idea of this book focuses on acquiring and applying the idea of the concept of virtue, understood as the key to the human person. It provides solid doctrinal explanations of the cardinal virtues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we all get sealed in us when we are confirmed (prudence, fortitude, justice, temperance) and the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity). That is how the book is organized, with one chapter on each virtue.
The Virtue Driven Life also shows their applications in the spiritual life and daily living. The book provides emphasis on correcting misconceptions about virtue and personal growth and human maturity that have become embedded in popular culture. The Virtue Driven Life is thus relevant today.
Anyone can participate in the program outlined in The Virtue Driven Life. The author does assume that his readers have a
Catholic worldview, but he uses so many concrete cases that his explanations can be stimulating even for those who are
only nominally Catholic or even non-Catholic. The focus is less on Catholic doctrine than on a correct understanding of the human person in light of Christ.
With wit, warmth, and wisdom. One by one, Father Groeschel makes the Cardinal Virtues meaningful for everyone, in neither a pretentious nor a verbose manner. Father Groeschel demonstrates in The Virtue Driven Life how each cardinal virtue has a role in a both a whole and holy life. You can get The Virtue Driven Life here.
What Confirmation Means for Catholics
In the teachings of the Catholic Church, confirmation is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Jesus for sanctifying grace and the strengthening of the union between the individual and God. The Catechism, or rule book, of the Catholic Church in paragraphs 1302–1303, states:
“It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15).
It unites us more firmly to Christ.
It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
It renders our bond with the Church more perfect.
It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
The “soldier of Christ” imagery is used in the Catholic Church. It dates back to 350 by St. Cyril of Jerusalem. The touch on the cheek that the bishop gave while saying “Pax tecum” (‘Peace be with you‘) to the person he had just confirmed was interpreted in the Roman Pontifical as a slap, a reminder to be brave in spreading and defending the faith: “Deinde leviter eum in maxilla caedit, dicens: Pax tecum” (‘Then he strikes him lightly on the cheek, saying: Peace be with you‘). It is also important to note that those confirmed in the Catholic Church take the names of saints when they are confirmed.
Conclusion
The Virtue Driven Life is a handy book for Catholics, or those seeking to better understand the Catholic Faith as is summarizes and explains what all Catholics receive during confirmation. Fr. Groeschel writes in an engaging and easy to read manner. In that way the book is accessible to everyone. There is no doubt that being on television helped Fr. Groeschel express his points cogently and for a wide audience.
