JUSTICE - VIRTUE FOR JULY











Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. (CCC 1807)









"Among the virtues that have suffered most in modern times, one of the outstanding is that of justice. It has been attacked by many false principles, such as : 'Business is business,' 'You can't get ahead without some sharp dealing,'and 'So long as a thing is legal it is O.K.'



"Such disregard of the principles of justice between man and man has gradually distorted the necessary distinctions between 'mine' and 'thine' until in some instances the conscience is completely dulled.


"Despite all popular notions to the contrary, justice is still an essential part of the natural law, and every sin and fault against it will be punished by God. It is defined as the virtue whereby a man respects the rights of others to what they possess; whereby he gives to every man what is his due, and takes from no man anything except that to which he has a just title.




"Just titles for the acquisition of material things are : 1) occupation, e.g., settling on unowned and unclaimed land, finding a lost article without trace of the owner; 2) the acceptation of increase, fruit or additional value that arises in a thing already possessed; 3) exchange of material things with other men, either thing for thing, or money for thing, or services for thing; 4) heredity. Any taking of material things from others without one of these titles or a title akin to one of them is injustice. It can readily be seen, therefore, that there are many ways in which justice can be violated." (Catholic Treasures)



Prayer for the Month



O Lord, who didst impose upon all men the commandment: "Thou shalt not steal," who will demand a strict account of all who have been unjust in their dealings with their neighbor, I am profoundly sorry for every sin and fault whereby I have wronged my fellow-man, and promise to make full reparation.


Thy greatest praise of Thy foster-father, St. Joseph, was contained in the simple words that "he was a just man."


Give me the strength to imitate his praise, to be just in my business affairs and private transaction, to be just in my dealings with those who are subject to me and those to whom I am subject; to be just in making restitution for all my injustices of the past. Let me not be moved by the example of the world, nor by the desire of riches and power, nor by the urgings of those who take no thought of Thee and of Thy law. Let me be detached from all earthly possessions and not envious of those who have great riches, in order that I may call Thee my only treasure.

O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace to deal justly and fairly with all my neighbors.

(Rev. Donald F. Miller, C.SS.R.)



Scripture for the Month


Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute. (Psalm 82:4)

To practice justice is a joy for the just; but terror for evildoers. (Proverbs 21:15)


And when the Son of Man shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the Throne of His glory; and before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33)


Aspiration for the Month


Grant us, dear Joseph, to run life’s pathway in innocent and just fashion: May we for ever be safe under thy blest patronage. Amen.


Glorious St Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously and justly.