Virtues in Practice

Virtues in Practice

A virtue is a "habitual and firm disposition to do the good" (CCC 1803). In simple terms, to build virtue is to build good habits. When doing the good is our habit, doing the good becomes natural and brings us joy. When we make good decisions, we build these good habits that turn into virtues.

At St. Maria Goretti Catholic School, we implement the Virtues in Practice program created by the Nashville Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. It is a program for children in grades Pre-K to 8th to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues.

Each month the whole school focuses on the same virtue, with age appropriate readings, activities, and home connections. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues.

To grow in virtue is hard at first, but learning together as a school and as classrooms helps our students lean on each other to practice the virtues and work each day to improve.

Visit from Nashville Dominican Sisters

We welcomed a visit Sr. Mara Grace and Sr. Anne Thomas (pictured above), Nashville Dominican Sisters, at our school on September 13 2022. Students and staff were so amazed and blessed during their visit. Here are some quotes from our students:

"I like learning about what they do. They wake up at 5 a.m. and go to the chapel and pray." - Clare, 4th Grade

"I was interested to hear about how big the house they live in is. I also liked hearing about how they became sisters. It’s pretty cool that they go to the chapel in the morning at lunch and at night to pray." - Davey

"I was interested in finding out about why they wear a habit and how that might differ from other nuns/sisters." - Jonathan

"It was interesting to find out that they are teachers. I didn’t know they had jobs like that" - Joy

"I liked hearing about their schedules. It is interesting to hear what they do on a day to day basis. I was a little surprised they had free time or game time." - Evan

"The sisters said we should talk to Jesus like He is our friend." - Annie

"Jesus is our friend. You can pray wherever you want." - Kaylee

Program Overview - Virtues

Year of Faith

• Faith
• Reverence
• Stewardship
• Generosity
• Gratitude
• Honesty
• Mercy
• Justice
• Zeal

Year of Hope

• Hope
• Studiousness
• Humility
• Patience
• Fidelity
• Cheerfulness
• Temperance
• Obedience
• Diligence

Year of Charity

• Charity
• Friendship
• Courtesy
• Purity
• Fortitude
• Prudence
• Respect
• Forgiveness
• Responsibility

See Program Overview Flyer (PDF)