Devotions: What Are They?

Devotions are those prayers and other pious 'stuff' that Catholics do, right? Well, kind of.

Devotions, popular devotions, or pious practices, whatever you want to call them, are the prayers that Catholics say, such as the Way of the Cross, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Marian prayers like the Rosary and the Angelus. Devotions are also the religious practices that Catholics engage in, like retreats and pilgrimages. Devotions, too, can refer to the devotional objects that Catholics wear, like scapulars, medals, and other sacred articles.

Catholic devotions are plentiful, and an individual can choose the practices and sacred objects that suit them. Devotional prayers are totally optional, and we can pray them in groups or privately at home.

The neat thing about devotions is that they are an additional way for Catholics to worship God. Did you notice that I said an additional way? That's because the ultimate form of Catholic worship is the Mass. Popular devotions should never be viewed as equal to the liturgy, nor can it take its place. According to the Second Vatican Council:

Popular devotions of the Christian people are to be highly commended,
provided they accord with the laws and norms of the Church, above all
when they are ordered by the Apostolic See.

Devotions proper to individual Churches also have a special dignity if
they are undertaken by mandate of the bishops according to customs
or books lawfully approved.

But these devotions should be so drawn up that they harmonize with the
liturgical seasons, accord with the sacred liturgy, are in some fashion
derived from it, and lead the people to it, since, in fact, the liturgy by
its very nature far surpasses any of them.

Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium), no. 13, http://www.vatican.va (accessed May 2006)

I've just given a basic overview of what devotions are. In the days head I'll continue to explore the riches of our Catholic worship traditions, and in the process, hopefully grow ever so closer to God.

God Bless Your Day!