7 Heavenly Virtues
Provided by the Encyclopedia Britannica - seven heavenly virtues, also called seven holy virtues, in Roman Catholic theology, the seven virtues that serve to counter the seven deadly sins. Formally enumerated by Pope Gregory I (the Great) in the 6th century and elaborated in the 13th century by St. Thomas Aquinas, they are
(1) humility - humility changes how we view ourselves. When we are humble, our goal is not to exalt ourselves, especially over other people.
(2) charity - 1. In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
(3) chastity - The word chastity means "the quality of being morally pure." Note that chastity can relate to either sexual interactions or conduct, behavior, and intention generally. Synonyms of being chaste include purity, modesty, and virtue. Usually, we think of chastity as abstaining from immoral sexual activities.
(4) gratitude - The condition or quality of being grateful; an emotion or sentiment of thankfulness. A warm sense of appreciation for a kindness received; accompanied by a feeling of good will toward the benefactor, and a desire to repay the favor.
(5) temperance - Temperance is moderation in thought, word, or action. Those who practice temperance are self-controlled and show restraint in their passions and behaviors. Temperance as a character trait is a common theme throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament.
(6) patience - In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. Patience does not develop overnight. God's power and goodness are crucial to the development of patience.
(7) diligence - In the Old Testament: In Ezra 5:8, "with diligence" means "with care"; in Ezra 6:12; 7:17, "with speed," "speedily"; in Proverbs 4:23 "watchfulness"; in Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:17; 19:18; Psalms 77:6; Proverbs 27:23; Isaiah 55:2; Micah 7:3, "with care," "scrupulously," "earnestly." Sometimes it means "early" "with haste" ( Job 8:5; Proverbs 8:17 ).
Each of these can be used to overcome the corresponding sins of (1) vainglory, or pride, (2) greed, or covetousness, (3) lust, or inordinate or illicit sexual desire, (4) envy, (5) gluttony, which is usually understood to include drunkenness, (6) wrath, or anger, and (7) sloth. The seven heavenly virtues are similar but distinct from the seven virtues (comprising four cardinal virtues and three theological virtues) that are considered to be fundamental to Christian ethics.
One of the first iterations of the seven heavenly virtues was offered by the 5th-century writer Prudentius in his poem Psychomachia (“The Contest of the Soul”). His seven—chastity, faith, good works, concord, sobriety, patience, and humility—were intended to be the opposite of the seven deadly sins of the time, which were lust, idolatry, greed, discord, indulgence, wrath, and pride. In 590 CE, Pope Gregory I rewrote the list of sins, changing them to lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, and pride; the revised virtues became chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility. These virtues are said to point a Christian toward God and away from a disposition to sin. The cultivation of the seven heavenly virtues is expected to result in good works, such as sheltering strangers, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, ministering to the imprisoned, and burying the dead.