Catholic Dictionary

Term

FILIAL FEAR

Definition

Fear of some impending evil based on love and reverence for the one who is feared. Actually filial fear is close to love that dreads offending the one loved. Thus the filial fear of God is compatible with the highest love of God. A person, knowing his or her moral weakness, fears that he or she might displease or betray the one who is loved. It is selfless fear. (Etym. Latin filial, becoming of a child in relation to its parents.)