Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.  CCC 1808

Fortitude is a virtue that men can most often relate to since its closely related to courage, but at the same time it’s the lack of this virtue that plagues the men our society. The catechism states that fortitude enables a man to face fear, even in death.  That is the difference between a man of Jesus Christ and a man of the world.  We are all called as men to face our fears.  Easier said than done, of course we all have encountered immoral situations where we knew we should’ve said something or acted in a more proactive way, but we were quiet in hope someone else would rise up, and yet when a man does take on the challenge to defend an injustice, we immediately recognize that individual as a leader, or a man filled with courage.  That same person most likely has the same fears and insecurities as you do, but if they possess fortitude they can rise up and conquer their fear in order to do what is right, regardless of the outcome.

We can either die with the cowards, or we can die with the saints.  We are all going to die, so why not die knowing we did all we could in defense of our faith. As Catholics we are called to face our fears and fight for truth, even if it kills us, literally.  We are all called to be leaders, whether it’s in our homes, our workplace, or in our community.  What is present in every true leader is fortitude, and it’s easy to recognize.  Take for example William Wallace from Braveheart, when he gives his speech to the men who do not want to fight.  He comes in on his horse and preaches about freedom, and the men gravitate toward his leadership.  We are all seeking freedom, yet we are searching in all the wrong places.  We are afraid to fight the real battles, such as pornography, gluttony, lust, laziness, anger… and we find ourselves indulging and feeling more miserable, and further away from Christ than ever before. 

The world preaches indulgence, but if we can recognize that Christ is calling us to suffer and sacrifice those pleasures of the world, only then can we can encounter true freedom.  This is the freedom that we read about in the saints who experience a sense of ecstasy in the midst of suffering and pain.  It is when you peel back the layers of fear that men can truly see the face of God.

In order to become great at anything, one needs to practice.  Refining virtue is no different.  In order to use a virtue effectively, one needs to practice that virtue, so here are some practical steps.
•    When someone uses the Lord’s name in vain, speak up with something witty, such as “its not his fault”.  That will take you out of your comfort zone, but at the same time you are standing up for what is right.
•    Say family grace in a restaurant
•    Participate in a protest against abortion or pornography
•    Invite a friend to mass or to pray a rosary with you
•    Place a crucifix or a religious picture at your work station or on your desk

These small instances will increase the virtue of fortitude in your life, so when the time comes and you are faced with a situation that requires a leader you will be ready, even if the outcome is death.  I want to leave you with one question to ponder. What if every catholic man stood up to the evils and immoralities of the world without the fear of persecution or a fear of death?