Virtues in Practice

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School instills in its students the Virtues in Practice program, created by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia, Nashville, TN. The program encourages pre-kindergarten to eighth-grade students to grow closer to Jesus by following in His footsteps and emulating His virtues. The program's focus on the Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity provides students with a unique opportunity to learn, practice, and experience these virtues in their daily lives. With 27 virtues and 81 saints serving as models, the program equips students with the tools they need to lead a virtuous and fulfilling life.
The years of the cycle emphasize and are named for the three theological virtues: 

• The year of FAITH focuses on Catholic devotions and the idea that “faith works” (Gal 5:6) with a school-wide emphasis on service projects. 
• The year of HOPE emphasizes study skills because in order to fulfill His plan for our lives, we need to develop the talents God has given us. 
• The year of CHARITY emphasizes community, mainly how students interact with one another, because “he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20).

• September: Faith - Believing in God and all He has revealed
  • Saints for September - Saint Martha, Saint Jerome, and Saint Augustine
• October: Reverence - Showing your deepest respect for things of God
• November: Stewardship - Returning to God the first fruits of your time, talent, and treasure
• December: Generosity - Giving without counting the cost
• January: Gratitude - Seeing everything as a gift and being thankful
• February: Honesty - Being trustworthy and true
• March: Mercy - Caring for those who suffer
• April: Justice - Being fair and giving each his due
• May: Zeal - Being driven by an intense love for God

More information on the program can be found at https://www.nashvilledominican.org/apostolate/evangelization-and-catechesis/virtues-in-practice