Br. John Thomas Fisher, O.P., on Virtue and School Bus Drivers

"In his book called Reality, Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange explains in simple detail the difference between acquired and infused virtue. Acquired virtue is that which we practice and obtain insofar as men practice anything and perfect a skill, art, etc. Infused virtue comes from God’s grace, primarily through the sacraments. Acquired virtues facilitate the use of the infused ones, as finger exercises facilitate playing a piano. For example, though abstaining from alcohol is part of acquired temperance, the alcoholic may receive infused temperance in confession. Even if he altogether lacks acquired virtue in this area, he may still receive sanctifying grace from a valid confession.

"I say all this because I’m convinced that there is a group of people in society, so used to practicing a variety of virtues and full of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, that they may be the best example of patience we have today: school bus drivers.

"When my friends and I took the bus and were lucky enough to get a seat in the back of the bus over the wheel, we'd prepare ourselves for a daily sensation of a proto-bounce-house. Sitting on our feet and bracing ourselves just right would allow every hillcrest or bump in the road to send us flying up to the roof and crash back down in our seats, cackling and convulsing in pure, six-year-old demoniacal laughter. These moments were sandwiched in between shouting to the kid next to us – our idea of conversation – and yelling out the window every time we caught a glimpse of the native wildlife, namely, squirrels or deer.

"In short, we were absolutely obnoxious.

"Yet each day, that sweet old bus-driving lady would give each kid a hug and well wishes for a good afternoon, waiting patiently until the little terrors would totter off into their houses before she peeled away to the next stop. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother John Thomas Fisher, O.P., reflected on the patience shown by school bus drivers and the meaning this has for each of us.

To access Br. John Thomas' complete reflection, please visit:

Dominicana: Nature, Virtue, and Bus Drivers (23 JAN 15)