What is the meaning of piety?

As you know, in our culture, “piety” generally refers to the quality of being religious or reverent, sometimes with a negative connotation—especially if one’s religiosity seems forced or for the sake of appearance.

Piety is also one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit identified in Isaiah 11:1-3, so as you might expect, piety has a deeper significance in the context of our holy faith.

The Glossary at the back of the Catechism of the Catholic Church gives this definition, with CCC references in parenthesis. This would be a great way to go deeper in your understanding of this gift/virtue:

One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which leads one to devotion to God (1831). Filial piety connotes an attitude of reverence and respect by children toward their parents (2215). Piety also refers to the religious sense of a people, and its expression in popular devotions (1674).

I typically think of piety as a generous, child-like (that’s really what “filial” means) love of God, such that one acts out of devotion (as beloved son or daughter), and not merely out of obligation (as mere “employee”) or fear of punishment (as servant or slave).

One of the great authors of our time when it comes to Christian virtues is Donald DeMarco. Here is an article on piety that he wrote, which brings out other aspects of this rich gift/virtue.

Piety in some sense is a hallmark of all the saints, but since you asked for a few, let me propose these:

• St. Zita (patroness of those ridiculed for their piety; here is a listing of other saints ridiculed for their piety)

• St. Louis IX (known for personal piety and as ruler passed laws to foster piety of the people)

• St. Joseph Calasanz (known as great teacher of piety to children)

• St. Therese of Lisieux (her “little way” teaches us how to be child-like in our relation to God, which is at the heart of Christian piety)

Courtesy of Leon Suprenant