The Second of the Regulative Choirs of the
Holy Angels is called the Virtues. They represent
unshaken fortitude in the cause of God. Among
the Saints on earth, the Martyrs represent their
spirit of undaunted courage in the cause of God.
The Apostles after the Resurrection were endowed
with it. All those who boldly confess Christ before
men, or endure shame for His sake, share the
same spirit. Am I one of these brave soldiers of
Jesus, or do I play the coward from fear of man and
human respect?
The office of the Virtues is to be the instruments
through which God works His miracles. They
have the arrangement and control of them
committed to their hands. Unshaken fortitude is the
characteristic of all who work miracles in God's
name. Hence the miraculous power of Eliseus, St.
Paul, St. Francis Xavier, and others. If I am to
do great things for God, I must be brave, I must
deny myself, I must not yield to human respect.
The Virtues among the Angelic hosts have
also the task of dispensing the graces of God, which
make difficult things easy. How wonderful is the
power of God's grace! Suffering and persecution,
and even death itself become sweet to those,
who have the grace of God aiding and consoling
them, and giving them strength to endure and
filling them with supernatural joy. God has always
ready the grace necessary for us, if we will only
avail ourselves of it. Courage then, faint heart, in
every trial!