Summary
In his article titled “Public Enemy #1: The Predominant Fault,” Garrigou-Lagrange discusses the importance of charity in achieving spiritual growth during Lent. The aim for Christians during the Great Fast is to grow in charity, as it is essential for perfection and vivifies all other virtues. He emphasizes that focusing on other practices without improving one’s charity is futile and may lead to pride instead of humility. Garrigou-Lagrange also highlights the importance of absolution after confession, which restores charity along with the other virtues when a soul is in a state of grace. The primary obstacle to developing charity and other virtues is the predominant fault, defined as an inherent weakness that tends to dominate over all others, interfering with personal growth. The Church emphasizes this point by proclaiming these verses from I Corinthians before Ash Wednesday: if one practices Lent without growing in charity, their efforts are meaningless. Garrigou-Lagrange believes the primary enemy of charity is the predominant fault, which can compromise a person’s natural goodness and grace. This concept serves as a reminder for all religious practices during Lent.
Key Topics
Charity, Mortal sin, Absolution
