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Devotions


The term "devotion" refers to an act of prayer or private worship. Devotions are religious exercises or practices which flow from and lead back to the official public worship (liturgical rites) of the Church. Devotions include various practices such as prayers, hymns, actions and even may include objects. They often include habits or customs as well as insignia or medals. As such devotions express the needs of the entire person by often including both physical and spiritual expressions.

True religious devotion is always animated or inspired by an attitude of faith in God. The external practices of devotions manifest the particular relationship of the faithful with God, sometimes by focusing on God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit or even the entire Godhead of the Holy Trinity. Devotions may also express a relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the first model of Christian discipleship, or with the Saints who serve as Christian role models.

Perhaps one of the most widespread devotions is the Rosary, which includes a series of prayers recited while meditating upon certain principle events of salvation history. Another common devotion is known as the Stations of the Cross, which is a devotion that focuses on the Passion of Christ. The number of devotions is numerous and varies from country to country and even from parish to parish. The key to devotions, however, is their assistance in living lives that are more attuned to the Gospel of Christ and to building up the Kingdom of God.
Check with the parish in your area to find out which devotions are available. You may also visit the parish locator at http://www.archgh.org/prayerandworship_parishlocator.asp for more information.