a) What are virtues?
Virtues are good habits. They incline us to do good and avoid evil more spontaneously, promptly, easily and with satisfaction. The opposite of virtue is vice.
By doing good and avoiding evil, we do not only do good actions externally, but more importantly, we become better persons internally. A virtuous person follows Christ closely in his holiness and in his mission.
b) Why should Altar Servers acquire the virtues?
For us to do something good (for example, love our enemies), it is not enough to know what it is or how it is to be done. It is also not enough to want to do it. Rather, we should also be capable of doing that good. Virtues strengthen the Altar Server so that he can more easily serve God and others, even in new or difficult situations.
The different virtues help us mature. This maturity is reflected in a better relationship with God, with others and with ourselves. We become less selfish and more thoughtful of the needs of our neighbors.