a) What are the theological virtues?
The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and love (or charity). They directly dispose us to live in a relationship with God. They cannot be acquired through our efforts alone, but are rather infused in us by God himself. But we can and should ask God to grant us these gifts. We can also develop them by freely exercising them, that is, by performing acts of faith, hope, and charity.
i. Faith is the virtue by which we firmly believe in God and in the truths he has revealed and which he teaches through the Church.
ii. Hope is the virtue by which we firmly trust that God, who is all-powerful and faithful to his promises, will in his mercy give us eternal happiness and the means to obtain it.
iii. Charity is the virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
b) Why should an Altar Server know and acquire the theological virtues?
The theological virtues intensify the Altar Server’s relationship with God, whom he serves.
Faith will give more meaning to the events of our daily life, as we examine them with a supernatural outlook. Hope will encourage us to work harder for the good, in spite of difficulties. God’s love will bring us closer to others, even to those who do not seem to love us in return.