The practice of virtue

One of the most moving speeches Pope Benedict made during his visit to Britain last year was addressed to school children. Gathered at St Mary's College in Twickenham, the Holy Father invited them to reflect on their deepest desires. "What are the qualities you see in others that you would most like to have yourselves? What kind of person would you really like to be?"

As life goes on these questions are often pushed to one side. We are so busy getting through each day that we forget what we actually want. Our deepest desires are lost. Perhaps it is only by revisiting our childhood that we can discover these things again.

In our hearts most of us know the answer to this question. Our deisres are never going to be satisfied by the transitory things in life. Burying ourselves in work, relationships or possessions is never going to completely fulfill us. The famous cry of Augustine is the truth - "you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

This discovery should lead us to the practice of virtue. Each day will become an opportunity to draw closer to God through prayer and the fulfillment of our duties. It also involves the rather tedious business of rooting out sin. Getting rid of bad habits, addictions and destructive tendencies is a constant battle.

Growth in holines doesn't happen naturally. The saints weren't just born like that. They had to work hard at it all their lives. But what greater project can we set ourselves in life? The Pope's question to the children deserves some thought.