What Are Devotions?

Devotions are spiritual exercises that arise from the life of God's people in their efforts to focus on their faith and incorporate it into their daily lives. Most devotions developed gradually over the years and even centuries as people sought ways of living out their faith. Some devotions, such as the Rosary, have come down to us as adaptations of the practices of religious orders.

Popular devotions arise in the encounter between the Catholic faith and culture. . . The Catholic faith is thus able to enter into every culture, and people are able to live the faith in their own cultures, once these cultures have been purified of elements foreign to the Catholic faith. While this inculturation of the faith takes place in the liturgy, popular devotions carry the faith a step deeper into the everyday life of a particular culture. (from "Popular Devotional Practices")

Many people's spiritual lives are enriched by devotional practices, but keep in mind:

• Devotions are not instituted by Christ (though He is always central to them).
• Devotions are not required by the authority of the Church (though the Church may choose to approve or prohibit devotions among the faithful).
• Devotions are not sacraments, nor can they substitute for sacraments; sacraments definitively take higher priority. Devotions in themselves are insufficient; they must flow from and back to the sacramental life of the Church.

Done properly, devotions bring us closer to Christ. If they aren't bringing us closer to Christ or (God forbid!) are moving us away from Christ, we need to seek spiritual direction from a member of the Pastoral Staff.

Sometimes a "devotion" will spring up that is really... well... not healthy. Not faithful. Not aligned with our Catholic faith. Not really a sound devotion at all. That's why the Church (as a good Mother) will sometimes approve or prohibit a "devotion". Please stick with established, Church-approved devotions or talk with us if you're considering pursuing a newer one.

What Are Some Examples of Devotional Practices?

It's impossible to list all of the devotions that have traditionally been part of the American Catholic Church, but here are some of the ones that have proven most fruitful for the faithful:

• The Rosary (contemplative, meditative prayer focused on the events of Christ's life)
• Eucharistic Adoration (spending time with Christ who is present in the Blessed Sacrament)
• Novenas (9-day prayers for particular petitions and/or asking for intercession from a particular soul in the Body of Christ)
• Meditations
• Stations of the Cross (a spiritual "pilgrimage" that retraces Jesus' walk to the Cross)
• Mary and the Saints (approaching our mother, brothers, and sisters in Christ to partner with us, support us, and pray for us) (You can also check out our website's introduction to Mary and the Saints.)

To Learn More...

• The "Do"s and "Don't"s of Devotions (This is a great audio!!)
• Popular Devotional Practices
• Popular Piety in the Spiritual Life
• Top 10 Misconceptions about the Rosary
• On Borrowing Forms of Meditation from Eastern Religions