Religious piety is defined by Fr. Richard McBrien as “a virtue that calls for faithfulness in relationships with others, e.g. family, kin, country.”

The gift of piety comes to us through the Holy Spirit moving our hearts to worship God and to fulfill our Christian responsibilities.

 

          Religious piety is also used to describe devotional practices. In this case, piety becomes a way in which the Christian expresses openness to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Religious piety always remains linked to the other gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge. and fear of the Lord. Together these gifts form a balanced approach to the two commandments of love of God and love of neighbor.

 

                   Father Jeremiah