Hugh of St. Victor mapped the moral life as a living tree in the 12th century. 40 honest questions, 10 sub-virtues of Love, and a profile that shows you exactly where you flourish — and where you need to grow.
Daily Prayer Practice
A 7-step prayer drawn from the Ignatian tradition and rooted in 500 years of Catholic spiritual practice. Five minutes in quiet reflection — guided by your virtue assessment results — closing the day with conscience and purpose.
900 Years of Wisdom
In the 12th century, Hugh of St. Victor mapped the spiritual life as a living tree — rooted in Humility, with seven great branches, one for each Theological and Cardinal Virtue, and individual sub-virtues as the fruit each branch bears. The model draws on Aristotle's golden mean, Aquinas's systematic moral theology, and St. Bernard's contemplative tradition.
This is not abstract theology. It is a practical framework for understanding where your moral character is strong and where it needs cultivation in the virtues. VirTrue brings this ancient map into the modern world — built on the virtue formation model of the VirTrue podcast from The Social Catholic.
"The fruit of the tree of virtues is the contemplation of truth, in which the soul finds its highest joy." — Hugh of St. Victor, De Fructibus Carnis et Spiritus
The Seven Branches
Explore your 7 branches of virtue through an ancient Catholic framework — each branch a distinct path of spiritual growth, with its own sub-virtues to discover and cultivate.
How It Works
Thoughtful questions rooted in Scripture and Tradition. Results you can actually pray through.
Reflect on your daily habits and choices. Scenario-based questions drawn from Catholic moral tradition. You're not trying to pick the right answer; you're looking for the honest one.
Your results map onto Hugh of St. Victor's virtue tree, revealing which virtues are flourishing and which branches need tending.
See where you sit on the spectrum between the vices of deficiency and vices of excess, and then receive personalized growth steps for the sub-virtues that need the most attention.
Faith, Hope & the Daily Examen
Unlock the complete VirTrue experience — Faith & Hope branches plus the Nightly Examen for daily virtue review.
The Love branch is free — start here. No account required. Take it now.
Unlocks the Faith & Hope branches plus the daily Nightly Examen with virtue review. Cancel anytime.
The complete Catholic virtue formation experience. Faith & Hope branches, daily Examen, and a full year of growth tracking.
40 scenario-based questions across the 10 sub-virtues of the Love branch. Your personal virtue profile is ready in under 10 minutes. No account, no cost.