Popular Devotions

The faith of the Christian people has devel- The praying of litanies (a series of invoca- oped numerous forms of popular piety and tions of the Blessed Mother or the saints) and devotions. The religious instincts of the the use of icons, holy pictures, and statues as Christian people have always found ways to supports for prayer are also forms of popular surround sacramental life with helps to benefit devotion. The faithful do not worship pic- more effectively from them. Popular devotions tures and statues; they venerate or honor the have proven to be powerful forms of prayer Virgin Mary and the saints and worship and and to be of spiritual benefit to many. adore only God. The veneration of Mary and the saints ultimately leads to God. Among the These forms of piety include praying at the forms of popular devotion, the rosary holds Stations of the Cross; making pilgrimages to a unique position because of its relationship the Holy Land, Rome, Marian shrines, and to the mysteries of Christ and the faith of the shrines of other saints; lighting candles in Blessed Virgin Mary. church; having throats blessed on the feast of St. Blaise; joining in Corpus Christi proces- sions; wearing medals of the Blessed Virgin and the saints; and honoring sacred relics. Some materials that form part of the Church’s liturgical rites, such as the ashes received on Ash Wednesday and the palms distributed on Palm Sunday, are also sacramentals.

Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Divine Mercy of Jesus, and the Blessed Mother are frequently part of parish life and often include a novena, nine days of prayer asso- ciated with the devotion. Prayer groups such as those sponsored by Charismatic Renewal, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, and Teens for Christ have both a strong liturgical foundation as well as a vibrant devotional component.

Catholic This article is an excerpt from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006) 297-298. Copyright Current © 2006, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC. All rights reserved. Photo: Getty Images. FACT OF FAITH