Spiritual Life
Solid Virtue
A Treatise on Christian Perfection
- By Father Aloysius Bellécius, S.J.
- French translation by Abbé Berthon
- English translation by A member of the Ursuline Community, Thurles
- Introduction by Archbishop Thomas William Croke
Father Aloysius Bellécius, S.J., begins with the obstacles to solid virtue, then turns to the practices and motives that help a Christian persevere.
Read the opening
Preface, Author’s Preface, Part I. Obstacles to Solid Virtue, Chapter I. Of Venial Sin and Chapter II. Tepidity: 16,131 words, about 9 percent of the book, free in the press's own transcription. Read them here.
- Source edition
- 1914, R. & T. Washbourne, Ltd., with Benziger Brothers
- Manualist edition
- July 2026
Solid Virtue asks what separates a good intention from a settled Christian life. Father Bellécius examines the habits and choices through which virtue becomes firm.
This restored edition follows the eighth English edition published in 1914. Abbé Berthon translated the Latin work into French. The English translation is credited on the original title page to a member of the Ursuline Community at Thurles, with a preface by Archbishop Thomas William Croke.
From the text
Solid virtue is the state of a soul confirmed in virtue by a long practice of good works.
Why this book
Father Bellécius is interested in habits sturdy enough to last. He asks how virtue becomes durable enough to shape ordinary decisions.
Restoration note
The text was reconstructed from the public-domain edition, checked against the scan, and rebuilt for print and Kindle reading.
