How often do you exercise your God-given virtue of awe? 

You’ve probably never thought of awe as a virtue. But it is. The virtue of awe is a profound respect and reverence for the source of all life. Contemplation of life, truth, beauty, goodness and the sheer power of God all nurture the virtue of awe.

A virtue, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is a “habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself.” (CCC 1803) Just like any habit, a virtue is something you can develop and grow in. What makes it a virtue is that it helps you become the-best-version-of-yourself.

We can grow in awe. And growing in awe brings out the best in us.

Saint Mechtildis of Edelstetten grew in awe every day until living in contemplation of the power of God was her status quo. 

Mechtildis began living in the monastery her mother had founded at the age of five. Mechtildis’ love of contemplation, even from birth, made it clear to her parents that it was the best place for her to grow up. 

We don’t know much about Mechtildis’ early life, but it’s hard to imagine that this environment of prayer and service didn’t have a profound impact on her. Every day, she would have encountered the nuns, experienced the beauty of nature, and heard the words of Scripture. It’s no wonder Mechtildis eventually became a nun herself and devoted her life to the contemplation of God. In time, she started having mystical visions, and even worked miracles. Mechtildis healed the sick, restored speech to the mute, and made the blind see. 

Her daily practice of awe put her in touch with the God of the universe—and then amazing things became possible.

For Saint Mechtildis of Edelstetten, every day was filled with awe. We may not all live in monasteries, but we too can cultivate awe by contemplating life, truth, beauty, goodness and the sheer power of God right where we are.

Awe is a powerful and profound virtue. How can you begin practicing it today?

Feast Day: May 31—The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2024)

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Felix of Nicosia