Today on VirTrue we’ll be talking about the virtue of Piety (Pietas).
Piety, a sub-virtue of charity, governs the proper ordering of our affections toward God and neighbor, especially in honoring duties of reverence, worship, and familial or communal responsibilities.
According to St. Thomas Aquinas (ST II-II, Q108), piety perfects the love of God by directing it toward those who share in His creation — particularly parents, family, and the broader community.
The pious person acts with devotion, respect, and gratitude, recognizing that all human authority and relationships are rooted in the divine order.
This virtue nurtures a disposition to pray faithfully, participate in the sacraments with sincerity, and fulfill moral and social duties God requires of us.
Piety is not mere ritualism. It integrates heartfelt devotion with reason, ensuring worship and duty are genuine expressions of love, not just mechanical obedience.
By cultivating piety, we avoid both neglect and self-centered religiosity, fostering a life where love of God permeates our relationships.
Scripture exhorts us:
“Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12)
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21)
Piety is a key lesson from the early life of Christ — who honored His earthly family while fulfilling His divine mission.
⚖️ Vice of Deficiency: Irreverence
Definition: Lack of heartfelt respect or devotion toward God, parents, or community—neglecting duties of gratitude and affection.
Why it fits: Irreverence isn’t rebellion — it’s relational apathy. It’s a coldness toward those we ought to honor in love.
Description: Irreverence forgets our roots. It scoffs at tradition, treats worship as obligation, and neglects prayer, elders, and sacred things. It hollows the soul’s memory of love.
💧Vice of Excess: Zealotry
Definition: Excessive, prideful devotion to religion, kin, or tradition — rigid, superior, and tribal, often at the expense of charity.
Why it fits: Zealotry exalts affiliations over God. It confuses fervor with holiness, pride with conviction.
Description: The zealot weaponizes devotion, enforcing conformity instead of inviting transformation. Christ rebuked this spirit: “You tithe... but neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23)
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🪞My Life
* I’ve fallen into excess, valuing orthodoxy over pastoral love.
* I’ve sought tribal advantage instead of the common good — nepotism over merit.
* True piety calls for love through reverence — not just correctness.
* Devotion to Mary and the Holy Family has helped me anchor piety properly.
🌍 The Secular Perspective:
* Our culture sacrifices family and faith for career success.
* Networking has replaced community.
* Moving for a title, not virtue, is not always just.
* My wife immigrated not for ambition, but love.
* Many abandon God for worldly gain — football over Mass, happy hour over charity.
🌟 Example Saints: Louis & Zélie Martin
* Honored their parents — Zélie cared for her father; Louis honored his mother.
* Holy marriage — rooted in faith, open to life.
* Pious parenting — raised 9 children, 5 religious vocations including St. Thérèse.
* Devoted to community — ran a virtuous business; helped the poor.
* Endured suffering with faith — including loss of children and Zélie’s illness.
Canonized as the first married couple together in 2015, they embody piety as practical, loving duty in family and faith.
💬 Tell Me What You Think
Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to feature your insights in future episodes.
✝️ Act of Piety:
O my God,I adore You as my Creator and Father,and I acknowledge my duty to serve You with reverence, love, and obedience.I will honor You in worship, in word, and in deed,placing Your will before my own in all things.In gratitude for the life and blessings You’ve given me,I will honor my parents, care for my family, and serve my community faithfully.Help me to fulfill my duties with humility and love,remembering that in serving others, I serve You.Let every act of devotion, every moment of work,and every sacrifice I make become an offering of love to You,who are worthy of all my reverence and praise.Amen.
🛡️ Closing Prayer
Lord, bless us with faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice that we may live as You intended man to live, in all virtue and righteousness. Help us to flee from sin, and avoid all temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Protect us with a spiritual hedge in front of us, behind us, above us, below us, to our right, and to our left, within us and all around us, and seal it with the blood of Your precious Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to keep You in everything that we think, say, and do. Amen.
Go out and fill the world with virtue. Deus vult!
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