ultimate end must be present in the intellect before it is present to the will, and because the ultimate end is present in the will by reason of hope and charity (the other two theological virtues), in this respect faith is prior to hope and charity. Hope is the theological virtue through which we trust that with divine assistance we will attain the infinite good – eternal enjoyment of God (ST II –IIae, qu. 17, aa. 1–2). In the order of generation, hope is prior to charity; but in the order of perfection charity is prior both to hope and faith. While neither faith nor hope will remain in those who reach the eternal vision of God in the life to come, charity will endure in the blessed. It is a virtue or habitual form that is infused into the soul by God and that inclines us to love him for his own sake. If charity is more excellent than faith or hope (ST II – II ae, qu. 23, a. 6), through charity the acts of all other virtues are ordered to God, their ultimate end (qu. 23, a. 8). See also ARISTOTLE , PHILOSOPHY OF RELI- GION , THOMIS. J.F.W.