Cardinal Virtues in Focus: Why It Matters to Think and Act Well

by Henry Bocala

If you could time travel and start life all over again, how would you live it? We all have past regrets, but also lessons learned. Unless we develop good habits, we fall into either excesses or defects. Whether it's about work, food, relationship, health, sex, or business, we need to make right choices. Classical Greek philosophy and Christian Ethics point to us the tools we need to live a good and righteous prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. These are called cardinal virtues (Latin cardo-hinge) for they serve as the foundation of a good moral life. At a time when moral relativism is the order of the day, when the sense of sin is somehow lost, we need to go back to the basics. This book takes up this task. Deep and engaging, the book illustrates the moral principles with down-to-earth examples, showing the perennial relevance of the cardinal virtues. Beyond that, the book invites the reader to take a moral stand in life. This book is not your typical feel-good, self-help paperback, or collection of "chicken soup" (cure all) stories. Rather, it offers a blend of moral principles and practical tips, aged-old wisdom that leads the reader to the fundamentals of a virtuous life.

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2022

About the author

REV. FR. HENRY BOCALA was born in Davao City (Philippines) on December 18, 1968. A secular priest incardinated in the Prelature of Opus Dei, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Sacred Theology from the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain, and his Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, where he was ordained priest on March 28, 2000.

Before receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Orders, the author had worked for some years as a freelance writer and an aide to a Senator in the Philippine Congress. A Political Science graduate of the University of the Philippines UP), he entered the UP College of Law, but later shifted to ecclesiastical studies. He is also a painter. He won the design competition for the official logo of the 10th World Youth Day (Manila, 1995), an event highlighted by the visit of Pope John Paul 2.

Since his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Bocala has devoted himself entirely to pastoral tasks especially among students and young professionals. His initial training as a new priest was carried out in Spain, Italy, South Africa and Israel. He was also the Chaplain of Warrane College at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (Australia) before coming back to the Philippines in 2003.

Reviews

[Albert K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A valuable and concise survey of the classical virtues. Excellent for both individual study and group study.