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.
