NEWSLETTER INSERTS FOR TEMPERANCE SUNDAY - 15th FEBRUARY 2026

‘Temperance is part of the four cardinal virtues, essential for a life of Christian maturity, self-control, and the ability to say "no" to temptations. It helps in managing appetites, such as in eating, screen time, and impulsive spending’.

‘Temperance disposes individuals to avoid every kind of excess, specifically the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, and medicine. It directly prohibits behaviour that endangers oneself or others, such as speed on the road, and deems the use of drugs a "grave offense".

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290.

'Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind that sets bounds to the passions.

St Thomas Aquinas

'Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. the temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart." (Sir 5:2; cf. 37:27-31).

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1809

'Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites." (Sir 18:30).

In the New Testament it is called "moderation" or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."

Titus 2:12

'To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only (God) (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence)'.

St. Augustine

‘Often, we do the right thing not because it is right but out of fear that we will be punished if we don’t – penalty points for not driving carefully, fines for not paying for parking, being published as a tax defaulter. Sometimes we can be easy with doing what is wrong if we will never be caught. But the message of Jesus challenges us to always do the right thing for love’s sake and for the sake of what is right. And when we do, we are changed. By consistently choosing to love, we become more loving. By consistently choosing to forgive we become more forgiving. To use the example of Jesus in the Gospel, by consistently saying ‘yes’ if we mean ‘yes’, we become more faithful, sincere and trustworthy’.

Fr Billy Swan