Derived from the Latin root "
caritas," which was the predominant Latin translation of the Greek "
agape," charity is the theological virtue that constitutes the highest form of Christian love, whose originating source and ultimate end is God. Although principally considered as love directed toward God, charity also includes the love of neighbor. This meaning is perhaps the context in which most people think of charity, but as treated by Augustine and Aquinas the concept is more properly understood as the complete love of God that unifies and perfects the other virtues and, thus, requires love of neighbor. This understanding needs to be distinguished from "charity care," which, as understood in the Catholic
tradition, is founded on the principles of
distributive justice and the
common good.
