United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Appendix A. Glossary • 531

VIRTUE: “Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. . . . The human virtues are stable disposi tions of the intellect and will that govern our acts, order our passions, and guide our conduct in accor dance with reason and faith. They can be grouped around the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. . . . There are three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity. They inform all the moral virtues and give them life (CCC, nos. 1833, 1834, 1841). VOCATION: The term given to the call to each person from God; everyone has been called to holi ness and eternal life, especially in Baptism. Each person can also be called more specifically to the priesthood or to religious life, to married life, and to single life, as well as to a particular profession or service.

permanent communion of love. Their communion reflects and is strengthened by the Trinity’s com munion of love.

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VENIAL SIN: A venial sin is an offense against God in a less serious matter. Though venial sin does not completely destroy the love we need for eternal happi ness, it weakens that love and impedes our progress in the prac tice of virtue and the moral good. Over time, repeated venial sin can have serious consequences. VIATICUM : The Holy Eucharist when received by a dying person as the spiritual food for one’s passing from this world to the Father.

VICE: Vice is the habitual practice of repeated sin.