You owe it to yourself to learn all about Christ’s life and teaching and what the Church believes. The goal is exposure to the entire content of the faith—not just a few things sprinkled willy-nilly. It ultimately boils down to truth, and truth matters!

The Catholic Online School RCIA program is carefully designed to provide you with a systematic, comprehensive education in the divine faith of the Church. The goal is to make you “of the truth” by exposing you to the voice of Christ.

In this third section of the program, we explore “Life in Christ”

From all of us at Catholic Online School: May Christ bless you on your journey of faith.

“Life in Christ" is broken up into different chapters. 

In this course, students will work through Chapter 3.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 8 - The Cardinal Virtus
  • Course 9 - The Theological Virtues


Earning a certificate of completion in this online course is not a substitute for completing a parish-based RCIA program. The Sacraments of Initiation can only be conferred by a bishop or priest. This certificate means you have successfully completed a course of study that is intended to supplement your parish RCIA program.


Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction to RCIA - For Adults - Life in Christ - Chapter 3 with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'
  • 02

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 8 - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • INTRODUCTION - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • VIDEO - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • QUIZ - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 1 - What is Virtue?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 8 - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • INTRODUCTION - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • VIDEO - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • QUIZ - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Virtue of Prudence

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 8 - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • INTRODUCTION - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • VIDEO - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • QUIZ - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Virtue of Justice

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 8 - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • INTRODUCTION - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • VIDEO - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY -The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • QUIZ - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 4 - The Virtue of Fortitude

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 8 - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • INTRODUCTION - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • VIDEO - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • QUIZ - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Cardinal Virtues - Lesson 5 - Virtue of Temperance

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 9 - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • INTRODUCTION - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • VIDEO - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • QUIZ - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 1 - The Theological Virtues and the Virtue of Faith

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 9 - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • INTRODUCTION - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • VIDEO - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • QUIZ - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 2 - The Theological Virtue of Hope

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 09

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 9 - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • INTRODUCTION - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • VIDEO - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • QUIZ - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Theological Virtues - Lesson 3 - The Theological Virtue of Charity

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

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Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

aleksandra nappo

5 star rating

“Great course!~”

“Great course!~”

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Ian Paris

5 star rating

“Awesome course for learners.”

“Awesome course for learners.”

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Giuseppi Mac Tavish

5 star rating

“I recently had the opportunity to participate in the RCIA course offered by Catholic Online School, and I can confidently say that it was an exceptional experience. From the very beginning, I was impressed by the wealth of knowledge and the dedica...”

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“I recently had the opportunity to participate in the RCIA course offered by Catholic Online School, and I can confidently say that it was an exceptional experience. From the very beginning, I was impressed by the wealth of knowledge and the dedication of the course. The course content was comprehensive and well-structured, covering all essential aspects of the Catholic faith. Whether you're a newcomer to Catholicism or someone seeking a deeper understanding of the faith, this course is designed to cater to individuals at all levels of knowledge and experience. The material was presented in a way that was easy to follow, making it accessible and engaging for everyone.”

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Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair