Msgr. Pope on the Importance of Piety

"In the modern world, the word 'piety' has come to be associated with being religious. And while it does have religious application, its original meaning was far wider and richer. The English word 'piety' comes from the Latin pietas, which spoke of family love and by extension love for one's ancestors, one's country, and surely God. Cicero defined pietas as the virtue 'which admonishes us to do our duty to our country or our parents or other blood relations.'

"For the ancient Romans, piety was one of the highest virtues since it knit families and ultimately all society together in love, loyalty, and shared, reciprocal duty. Piety also roots us in our past and gives proper reverence to our ancestors.

"I hope you can see how essential piety is and why, if we do not recapture it more fully in the modern world, our culture is likely doomed. Piety is like a glue that holds us together. Without its precious effects, we fall apart into factions, our families dissolve, and the 'weave' of our culture tears and gives way to dry rot."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on piety and its role in our lives.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: What is Piety and How Does the Modern Diminishment of it Spell Doom for Us? (9 MAR 15)