Directory of Devotions Resources

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Devotions are non-liturgical rituals and similar prayers. They are called "popular" devotions because they often appeal to ordinary people and are adopted spontaneously. Devotions are optional for Catholics. While devotions can be helpful, they are not usually the mainstay of a balanced spiritual life. The sacraments and the discipline of the universal Church come first. It is also hard to imagine someone who, for example, makes novenas in honor of one saint, goes to Mass, and never prays in any other way. Although devotions are optional, that does not mean that "anything goes". We must avoid anything superstitious. Before taking up a prayer or practice we ought to ask whether it will strengthen our faith in God.

Subcategories

• Chaplets
• Christ-Centered
• Marian
• Novenas

Resources in This Category

• Catechism of the Catholic Church: Sacramentals

  http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/others.html#LITURGICAL
  Sacramentals and popular devotions in the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church. See especially paragraphs 1674-1676, 1679.

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Popular Devotions

  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12275b.htm
  Brief explanation of the spiritual practices collectively called "devotions" or "popular devotions."

• Devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Its Origin and History

  http://www.ewtn.com/library/CHRIST/DEV2HEAR.TXT
  A lengthy text article with biblical references on how the devotion to the hearts of Jesus and Mary started.

• overcomeproblems.com

  http://www.overcomeproblems.com/
  Provides information on obtaining help with persistent problems through prayer, and contains information on obtaining protection through the Brown Scapular.

• Pray-As-You-Go.org

  http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/
  Daily prayer downloads for MP3 players. Combines music, Scripture, and some questions for reflection.

• purgatory.ca

  http://www.purgatory.ca/pray-purg.php
  A treasury of prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

• Sacred Heart Site

  http://www.sacred-heart-site.org/
  Contains Stations of the Cross, novenas to the Sacred Heart and to St. Thérèse, the Divine Mercy chaplet, and other prayers and devotions.

• Sacred Space

  http://www.sacredspace.ie/
  A daily prayer with devotional guide.

• St. Padre Pio Devotions

  http://www.padrepiodevotions.org/index.asp?pagename=prayers
  Favorite prayers of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, as well as prayers for his intercession.

• The Work of God: Devotions

  http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/devotns.htm
  Index of Catholic devotions, including sacramentals, scapulars, Stations of the cross, First Fridays and First Saturdays.

• Vatican II: Devotions

  http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/devotv2.htm
  An excerpt from Sacrosanctum Concilium (Vatican II's Constitution on the Liturgy), about popular devotions.

Other Languages

• Spanish
• Polish

 

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