“I would never want any prayer that would not make the virtues grow within me”  (Saint Teresa Avila).

While watching Greta Gerwig’s new film adaptation of “Little Women,” many of us connected with the March sisters, whether or not we have sisters of our own. The humanism in the film hits close to home — the helpless tragedy of illness, the circumstantial love interests, and the personal growth of each sister. Though the March sisters aren’t saints, perhaps we can still heed to how they learned to apply the cardinal virtues (while staying grounded, humorous, and lively).

Fortitude

Meg March, the eldest of the “little women,” played by Emma Watson, holds the responsibility of a caregiver and guarder of rules. She can be lighthearted — frequently acting in skits and dancing — but the primary needs of her family and the people who love her family take priority.

When I think of Meg, I think of fortitude, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes as “the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome [and] enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.”

We see Meg begin to develop this attribute when she starts to sacrifice some of the superficial pleasures she enjoys, such as fancy clothing, to support her family. She also chooses to marry a poor tutor because of his pure heart and selflessness rather than marrying for money.

Justice

Jo March, played by Saoirse Ronan, searches for independence and the ability to support her family through her writing. Justice comes to mind when I think of Jo. She not only embarks on a writing career, but she also opens a school — a community where any children can learn. According to the Catechism, “Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. The just man … is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor.”

Prudence

Beth March, played by Eliza Sconlen, is not easily swayed by the emotions of those around her and is good at interpreting both the right thing to do and how the people around her feel. She displays prudence as a caregiver of the poor and adviser to her sisters: “Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving,” states the Catechism. “It guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience.”

Temperance

The youngest March sister, Amy (played by Florance Pugh), matures the most over the course of the film. She is thoughtful and sharp when making decisions, from whether she has the talent to become an artist to whom she should marry. While Amy begins the film as a spoiled, selfish young girl, she ultimately learns temperance, defined by the Catechism as “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.”

Maturing in Our Crafts and Our Businesses

How could such normal women also have such remarkable qualities? Perhaps that’s why we relate to them so well. According to the Catholic catechism, these four virtues play a pivotal role in our moral constructs are called “cardinal.”

A favorite quote from “Little Women” is Jo’s statement, “I intend to make my own way in this world.” It’s empowering because it invites women to decide what making their way in the world means to them. Though Jo’s newspaper stories (based on what the editor said would sell) were her writing, they didn’t express the fullness of her talent. In writing a story about her family, she was able to bring her passion back to her work. Similarly, with her school, she was able to help make education more just while doing something she excelled at: teaching.

Merging our passions and interests with our steadfast pursuit of the cardinal virtues can lead us to fulfillment and can be fruitful in other ways, such as financial. Here, we can practice prudence in judgment, justice for the people we work with and for, temperance in our finances, and fortitude for sustaining our work. 

Whether we are starting out a new venture or refining our craft, the four cardinal virtues can help us remember how to navigate our path with wisdom. Let us pray to be selflessly tuned into our relationship with God to be of most use for His kingdom. Let us show our virtue in how we treat others: our customers, patients, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers. As we sharpen our focus on our faith, let us lead us pray that we are lead to our most authentic selves, so we can be good sisters to one another.

Molly Franzonello is a brand new wife and health care systems innovator in Washington, D.C. When not driving all over the metropolitan area to see “her people,” you can find her reading, writing, podcasting, or staycationing at her favorite spots in the District.