The spiritual gift of the fear of the Lord “inclines our will to a filial and reverential respect for God, removes us from sin, displeasing to Him, and gives us hope in the power of His help.” (Tanquerey) At a more basic level, the fear of hell can bring about our conversion, but it does not of itself make us holy. The Holy Spirit’s gift is more akin to the fear that we might have of offending or scandalising someone whom we know to be a good and holy person.

It is right that we should know that God is benevolent to us, and that Jesus Christ invites us to friendship with Him, but this should not cause us to forget the awesome greatness and majesty of God as though we were His equal. We can cultivate the fear of the Lord by prayerfully recalling the eternity of God, the magnificence of His creation, and his infinite love in forgiving even the greatest sins.

St Jane Francis de Chantal was a married woman with four children who founded the Visitation order after her husband was killed. She benefited from the wise and kindly guidance of St Francis de Sales. Both saints suffered from a narrow-minded opposition to the idea of an active religious order of women. From her kindly director, St Jane Frances learnt a practical and humane approach to the spiritual life while at the same time being inspired by the greatness and glory of God.