By Father Fred Edlefsen

The Holy Spirit’s subtle “whispers” play like background music throughout our lives. Like sails on a ship, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit make us available and open to the Spirit’s breath.

So far, I’ve written articles on four Gifts of the Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, and Counsel. Through Wisdom, we become intimate with Christ. Through Understanding, our faith is deepened. Through Knowledge, we see the human condition as it really is: beautiful, profoundly broken and sinful, but redeemed by Christ. Through Counsel, God places his good word on our lips and his good action in our heart – at the right time. This article is about the Gift of Piety.

Piety is not what you may think it is. It probably won’t inspire you say lots of lengthy prayers. Rather, Piety gives a deep sense of gratitude – and affection – to God the Father for creating you, and to Jesus Christ for redeeming you. It also makes you grateful for everything and everyone whom you love. Piety is the Gift of the Spirit that give you, like St. Therese of Lisieux, “spiritual childhood.” “Unless you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

Piety can sanctify affections and emotions, whether they are good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. Pray for this Gift if you suffer from emotional troubles, or if you’re tempted to re-live painful experiences. It’s especially fruitful if you call upon the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph when praying for Piety. This Gift often works like a healing balm. Piety may be most fruitful after an extended period of quiet meditation, perhaps 20-30 minutes. On occasion, an inner calm may emerge from within the soul, and you may sense the Holy Spirit’s presence. If this happens, try not to narrate or analyze old memories or emotions that may resurface as well. Just let them be, without comment. Allow the Holy Spirit do what he wills in your soul. Piety perfects the virtue of Justice, and it produces the Beatitude, “Blessed are the gentle of heart, for they shall inherit the earth.”