CONSECRATION FOR CATECHESIS: St. Nicetas the Goth

It is written of St. Nicetas the Goth, "his soul was unceasingly lifted up to God." The presence of God is the source of all the virtues. If we can remember this presence, it will drive sin out of our lives. Fortitude was the special virtue engendered in Nicetas as a result of his awareness of God's presence, the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. It put the things of this world in perspective, giving him the courage to stand up to the king and denounce his cruelties. "The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even the 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." (CCC 1808)(cf. Jer. 16:33)