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caritate

Caritate is the Latin dative or ablative singular form of the noun caritas, which means charity, love, or benevolence. In Latin literature the term can denote affection or generosity; in Christian usage it has come to denote the theological virtue of love that enables the lover to will the good of others.

Caritas derives from Latin carus “dear,” with the abstract noun suffix -itas, forming “charity” as a quality

In Catholic moral theology, charity is the foundation of the moral life; it moves people to love

Caritas is distinct from misericordia (mercy) and from using “charity” in modern English to mean philanthropic

of
being
dear,
later
specialized
in
Christian
theology
to
refer
to
charity
as
the
love
of
God
and
neighbor.
God
and
neighbor
and
informs
all
other
virtues.
It
is
central
to
scriptural
and
patristic
teaching
on
the
love
that
binds
the
Christian
life,
and
it
is
regarded
as
the
greatest
of
the
theological
virtues
when
aligned
with
faith
and
hope.
giving.
In
classical
Latin,
caritas
often
expresses
intimate
love;
in
Christian
Latin,
it
denotes
divine
love
and
love
of
neighbor.
Contemporary
usage
includes
Caritas
Internationalis,
a
global
Catholic
relief
organization.