The Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Cardinal Virtues

In The Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross (a Pure Gold Classic published by Bridge-Logos Foundation) we learn about the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Cardinal Virtues.

Saint John of the Cross opens the book with a discussion of the Seven Deadly Sins, ". . .which the soul must overcome in order to enter into spiritual renewal and learn to walk in the Seven Cardinal Virtues through union with love--the love of God."

The Seven Deadly Sins are:

• Lust (luxuria)
• Gluttony (gula)
• Greed and avarice (avarita)
• Sloth (acedia)
• Wrath and intense anger (ira)
• Envy (invidia)
• Pride (superbia)

These seven sins are mortal in the sense that they kill our relationship with God and our hope of eternal life with Him. "All of the Seven Deadly Sins must be pruged from a believer's life if he or she is to find the way to union with love in God, as Saint John of the Cross points out so clearly in his writings. He shows how each of us has our 'besetting sins' that must be dealt with before we can make any spiritual progress" (From Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross.)

Once we've gone through the "dark night of the soul" and have rid ourselves of the sins listed above, we are ready to enjoy the Seven Cardinal Virtues, as listed below:

• Faith
• Hope
• Love
• Fortitude
• Justice
• Prudence
• Temperance

"As the soul perseveres, however, it finds its way to the place of peace, tranquility, and joy--total union with its heavenly Beloved, and this is the goal that Saint John of the Cross puts forth for every seeker."

May you find than place in your life through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.