Catechism On Charity
Q. What is Charity?
A. Charity is a supernatural gift of God by which we love God above all things, and our neighbour
as ourselves for God’s sake.
Charity. Love which seeks the good of, and union with, the beloved. There are four
common forms of love, which are differentiated in Greek. Charity is the first kind, agape,
which describes God (1 John 4:8), and is commanded for Christians (Matthew 22:37,39):
1. Agape - The highest, committal and self-sacrificial form of love, which perfects all
other loves.
2. Philia - Filial love, of friends and family, as well as activity.
3. Storge - Affection, of parents toward offspring.
4. Eros - Romantic Love.
Q. Why must we love God?
A. We must love God because he is infinitely good in himself and infinitely good to us.