Feedback.Q: I think the renewed emphasis on eucharistic adoration Eucharistic adoration is a practice in the Roman Catholic and in Anglican Churches, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to and adored by the faithful. When this exposure and adoration is constant (that is, twenty-four hours a day), it is called perpetual adoration. and other devotions will lead to ... A stronger understanding and commitment to our baptismal call to be the light of Christ The Light of Christ became a doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that most people would call conscience. This doctrine teaches that the light of Christ "lighteth every man that cometh into the world. in our world today. William Bebert Bronx, N.Y. A decrease in the eucharistic liturgy as the main focus of our Catholic identity. John Mulady San Antonio, Texas “San Antonio” redirects here. For other uses, see San Antonio (disambiguation). San Antonio is the second most populous city in Texas, the third most populous metropolitan area in Texas, and is the seventh most populous city in the United States. As of the 2006 U.S. A warmer and more respectful feeling of our Catholic Church. Eva LaRose-Reder Bay City, Mich. Individualistic, me-focused Catholics who know less about Catholic traditions of social justice than the little they already do. Colleen Carpenter Cullinan Montevideo, Minn. Ridicule from people who will say we condone pedophile pedophile Forensic psychiatry A person with pedophilia; there are an estimated 500,000 pedophiles in the world. See Child prostitution, Megan's law, Pedophilia. priests and practice hypocritical piety. Stephanie Chodera Villa Park Villa Park, village (1990 pop. 22,253), Du Page co., NE Ill.; inc. 1914. It is a residential suburb W of Chicago. , Ill. Q: Every Catholic's prayer life should include ... Weekly Eucharist. We cannot do the works of justice and mercy without being fed by Word and sacrament. Barbara Reder, S.P. Indianapolis, Ind. Quiet time with God. Marilyn Himmelberg St. Louis, Mo. Annual sacrament of Reconciliation, holy days of obligation, Sunday liturgy, and some time for private daily prayer. Margaret Cammisa Hazleton, Pa. Spontaneous prayers. Just telling God in your own words how you feel, what's troubling you, what you need from God to help you on your journey. Deacon Anthony Duthoy Anaheim, Calif. Appreciation for what God has given to us and an asking of forgiveness for our wrongdoings. Denise Pfeifer Sheboygan, Wis. Praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. Alex Bednarsky Philadelphia, Pa. Going on retreat; lifelong faith formation. Karen Mallozzi Natick, Mass. Whatever devotions they find comforting and of value in their personal religious life. Father Frank A. Waser Rockford, Ill. Q: Practicing devotions has made me a better Catholic because ... The rosary as a private devotion gives me a break from the constant drumbeat See Drumbeat 2000. of consumerism and materialism. How much better it is to pray the rosary while driving instead of yakking on a cell phone or listening to radio commercials. Kimbert E. Larsen Billings, Mont. I'm more composed and calm because of my Holy Hour, Liturgy of the Hours
Ralph Diamond Show Low, Ariz. Devotion to the Sacred Heart The Sacred Heart is a religious devotion to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of the divine love for humanity This devotion is predominantly used in the Roman Catholic Church and also used in the Anglican Church. has made me aware of God's love for us. Name withheld St. Louis, Mo. Daily scripture reading, prayer before meals, the rosary, weekly eucharistic adoration, and Stations of the Cross Stations of the Cross depictions of episodes of Christ’s death. [Christianity: Brewer Dictionary, 1035] See : Passion of Christ during Lent strengthen my identity as a Catholic, enrich my spiritual life, and promote my mental good health. Susan Matt Green Valley, Ariz. I'm not confirmed yet; the rosary, however, opens a door to the Blessed Mother largely ignored by my Protestant background. Don Harris Mukwenago, Wis. My hour of eucharistic adoration during the week renews my energy. I pray I beg; I request; I entreat you; - used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go s>. See also: Pray in other ways and in other places, but this one hour is special. It centers me, keeps me from the distractions I find in other prayer, and makes my prayer at these other times richer. Laura Barnett Stevens Point Stevens Point, city (1990 pop. 23,006), seat of Portage co., central Wis., on the Wisconsin and Plover rivers; inc. 1858. The major industries are insurance and the manufacture of wood products, cheese, furniture, and fishing equipment. The Univ. , Wis. Via Crucis--the Way of the Cross--puts me in greater solidarity with the suffering in the world. Mary Ann Verkamp, O.S.B. Ferdinand, Ind. I lead the rosary once a week at a nursing home. I am strengthened by the faith and gratitude of these people. It slows me down for half an hour, and I'm more at peace. Pat Pope Elsmere, Ky. Q: I choose not to participate in traditional devotions because ... Being in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of super-holy, double-knee genuflectors makes me so uncomfortable that I stay away. Name withheld Montrose, Colo. The Eucharist and scripture more than fill my needs. Pat Gaza Gary, Ind. Most of the people I know who are gung-ho about traditional devotions are also very rigid, non-thinking people who hold views I disagree with Verb 1. disagree with - not be very easily digestible; "Spicy food disagrees with some people" hurt - give trouble or pain to; "This exercise will hurt your back" . So I find it difficult to jump on that bandwagon. Name withheld Omaha, Neb. We must live out the Paschal Mystery ''' The Paschal Mystery refers to the suffering, death, Resurrection, and Glorification of Jesus Christ. People of Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian faiths celebrate this mystery in the sacrament of the Eucharist. in our lives and that calls us to service, not devotion. Barbara McGrattan Weaverville, N.C. They are boring and provide a false sense of well-being; they are selfish and cultic in a negative sense. M. Stankus Saulaitis New Milford, Conn. The focus is on "me and God," rather than on doing God's work in community. Dennis and Sandra Cherry Fairfax, Va. Some devotions like wearing a scapular scap·u·lar or scap·u·lar·y adj. Of or relating to the shoulder or scapula. scapular, adj pertaining to the region of the scapulae. scapular pertaining to the scapula. or lighting candles before religious statues seem more superstitious than faithful. Name withheld Wichita, Kan. No time, no interest. It smacks of idolatry Idolatry Aaron responsible for the golden calf. [O.T.: Exodus 32] Ashtaroth Canaanite deities worshiped profanely by Israelites. [O.T. in some ways. Christian Watson Overland Park, Kan. I prefer Vespers vespers (vĕs`pərz) [Lat.,=evening], in the Christian Church, principal evening office. In the Roman rite, vespers have consisted since the 6th cent. of a few prayers, five psalms, a lesson, the Magnificat, and an antiphon. , Taize, centering prayer, and the labyrinth in addition to Mass. Anita Willoughby Bowling Green, Ky. Q: The best way parishes can deal with the issue of devotions is ... To encourage people to take part and extol ex·tol also ex·toll tr.v. ex·tolled also ex·tolled, ex·tol·ling also ex·toll·ing, ex·tols also ex·tolls To praise highly; exalt. See Synonyms at praise. the virtues and advantages of doing so. Paul Garavente Chatham, N.J. Let the ones who want them have them. But don't try to put a guilt trip on us if we choose not to participate. Jim Schnell Willmar, Minn. To encourage them as stepping stones to service and community building. Theresa L. Ferron-King Claremore, Okla. To make them available at times when the most parishioners can attend. Richard Strouhal Oklahoma City, Okla. Rejoice in people's praying! Maria Schwab Hicksville, N.Y. General Comments Adoration is not exclusive of liturgy. Many who practice adoration attend Mass daily. Marian White Louisville, Ky. The push for devotions seems to be part of the traditionalist clerics' agenda. They seem to want to go back to the church of the Middle Ages but not back to the authentic early Christian church. Marge Tuthill Narragansett, R.I. Some say we should move back to the ways of the early church and disown dis·own tr.v. dis·owned, dis·own·ing, dis·owns To refuse to acknowledge or accept as one's own; repudiate. disown Verb to deny any connection with (someone) Verb the past 1,000 years or so. The early church was in development, maturing with guidance from the Holy Spirit. lust because I used to wear diapers does not mean I have to go back to that. Anthony Gavin Anaheim, Calif. This article puts into words the queasy QUEASY - An early system on the IBM 701. [Listed in CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959)]. feeling I've had ever since we introduced Benediction benediction [Lat.,=blessing], solemn blessing usually administered in the name of God by a priest or a minister. The temple worship at Jerusalem had fixed forms of benedictions, and Christians have always given them an important place in ceremony, especially at the to the students in the high school where I teach. Name withheld Syosset, N.Y. Promoting devotions helps us to be a welcoming community because many new immigrants love them. Father Michael Skluzacek St. Paul, Minn. For a long time I felt that maybe I was falling short for not participating in many of the devotions practiced by fellow Catholics, but I have come to terms with the fact that we were all created different, and I have to worship God in my own way. Mary C. Schaaf Wheaton, Md. For the average Catholic struggling to stay close to God amid distractions and an indifferent world, whatever works to further their effort has value. It's all grace-filled, after all. Nancy M. King West Chicago, Ill. AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. If adoration or other devotions bring people back to the church or strengthen Catholic identity, then I'm all for it. agree 68% disagree 13% other 19% Representative of other: Devotions give a false sense of what the church is about to new/returning Catholics. 2. Traditional devotions are fine for those who find meaning in them, but I don't think they're for everyone and should not be promoted so much. agree 56% disagree 34% other 10% 3. My own spiritual life is enriched by: (More than one answer allowed.)
72% Morning/evening
prayer.
51% The rosary.
45% Eucharistic adoration
and Benediction.
41% Lectio divina.
20% Novenas and other
devotion to saints.
14% Divine Mercy.
38% Other.
Representative of other: Daily Mass, singing/music, spiritual reading, centering prayer 4. There has been an increase in traditional devotions in my parish. agree 45% disagree 43% other 12% 5. A parish can have both a dedication to social justice and a strong devotional life. agree 86% disagree 5% other 9% 6. I think many people who promote traditional devotions want to go back to a pre-Vatican II understanding of the church. agree 48% disagree 40% other 12% These results are based on survey responses from 209 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion