Emotionalism and superstition

[AmorDei]

It may just be a personal thing, but I have found and experienced in my life that there appears to be quite a degree of “emotionalism” and even “superstition” within the catholic faith, almost like a cancer.
I have experienced (and suffered greatly for many, many years as a result) that the line between a healthy faith and unhealthy faith is blurred. In other words, there is alot of grey area.

For example, Catholic Charasmatic groups. I mention the CCM because it is something I have experience in. What is the line between genuine speaking in tongues and babbling, despite the sincerest of devotion on behalf of the individual? The line between mature faith in God and emotionalism focused on healings, prophecies, “signs”? What is the difference between humility and being used by God to do good, to wanting to be “special” and receiving “supernatural graces”?

Or even in everyday faith living, how often does one hear of praying the rosary and being handed a copy of the “fifteen promises” the Virgin Mary will grant. It seems that nearly every devotion has “promises” attached to it? Does this differ to the notion of magic and casting spells in any substantial way? Does the Lord really give devotions to “seers” front back and centre for everything? (i.e. devotion of Holy Wounds, devotion to the Sacred Blood, Devotion to Mary’s Tears etc) with a set of promises to match if you recite them everyday.

Or if you recite the prayer by St Gertrude you will release a thousand souls from purgatory? Will you really? Or if you pray prayers and do certain acts you will cut some of your “time” in purgatory (indulgences), as if the Lord is a prison warden who keeps tally’s?

By observation, in my mind these are proofs of spiritual immaturity, yet there does not appear to be much done to curb unhealthy spirituality which is characterised by emotionalism, and superstition (or bordering on superstition).

I just wonder at times
Does anyone else ever wonder?

 

[Trishie]

Your discomfort may be due to the fact that some folk may seem to be distracted by devotions at the expense of what is** the SOURCE and SUMMIT of Catholic life, the EUCHARIST***. It is also the case that those caught up in living the Sacraments as the overwhelming centre of their lives are less likely to speak of their spiritual experiences as the Eucharist and the Sacraments in our lives speak for themselves. Deep commitment to the Mass and the Sacraments often co-exists with the devotions, but while devotions are optional, the Eucharist is the non-negociable. In sensing that you are correct.*

“2. The Second Vatican Council treated the Eucharistic Mystery in Chapter III of the Constitution De Sacra Liturgia. What is said in this document about the liturgy, the source and summit of the Church’s actions, concerns for the most part the celebration of the Eucharist or, as the Eastern Churches say, the “Divine Liturgy.” The topic of the next synod is to be the Eucharist in which the People of God participate in virtue of Baptism. The Eucharist is the “summit” of Christian initiation and all apostolic activity, because the Sacrament presupposes membership in the communion of the Church. At the same time, it is the “source,” because the Sacrament is nourishment for her life and mission.[5] For this reason, the Encyclical of Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia De Eucharistia, referring to the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte in which he made the appeal for people to know, love and imitate Christ, states that “a renewed impetus in Christian living passes through the Eucharist.”[6]”

“20… In his gift of self in the Eucharist, Christ is entirely present in each place. Wherever the Eucharist is celebrated, the entire mystery of the Church is also present. At the same time, Christ is uniquely present in each place; he cannot to be received in discord. Precisely because Christ is undivided and unable to be separated from his members, the Eucharist renders its sign value only when it is celebrated in union with the whole Church.”
Pope Paul VI

The centrality of the Mass is discussed at length in the following link

[vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20040528_lineamenta-xi-assembly_en.html#CHAPTER III](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/s...040528_lineamenta-xi-assembly_en.html#CHAPTER III)

 

[Dorothy]

I’ll just respond to the part about “promises” that are attached to particular devotions. When the Church approves of a specific devotion, it doesn’t mean it is mandatory, but that it is good for those who are attracted to such devotions to use them in their prayer time.

To me, the “promises” means that according to the commitment and sincerity a person has when praying, they will certainly receive graces and helps on their journey in life.

As to the “1,000 souls being released from purgatory”…I believe that the number 1,000 means “a great many”, and that only God knows the exact number, which we don’t need to know. The more sincerely and deeply a person prays, the more effective is their prayer.

I do see your point in that a person’s reaction to “promises” to do a specific devotion can border on superstition. Well, let’s hope that the person will mature and come to realize that all they have to do is trust God.

Because we humans have many faults and failings, there will be people in charismatic groups who may display pride with regard to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I would hope that prayer groups have a good core group and access to a priest who can advise them when they have problems. Because there are some who will display their faults and sins, does not mean that there are not good, kind, and holy people in prayer groups, who use the gifts rightly and seek good spiritual direction.

 

[Altruist]

It may just be a personal thing, but I have found and experienced in my life that there appears to be quite a degree of “emotionalism” and even “superstition” within the catholic faith, almost like a cancer.
I have experienced (and suffered greatly for many, many years as a result) that the line between a healthy faith and unhealthy faith is blurred. In other words, there is alot of grey area.

For example, Catholic Charasmatic groups. I mention the CCM because it is something I have experience in. What is the line between genuine speaking in tongues and babbling, despite the sincerest of devotion on behalf of the individual? The line between mature faith in God and emotionalism focused on healings, prophecies, “signs”? What is the difference between humility and being used by God to do good, to wanting to be “special” and receiving “supernatural graces”?

Or even in everyday faith living, how often does one hear of praying the rosary and being handed a copy of the “fifteen promises” the Virgin Mary will grant. It seems that nearly every devotion has “promises” attached to it? Does this differ to the notion of magic and casting spells in any substantial way? Does the Lord really give devotions to “seers” front back and centre for everything? (i.e. devotion of Holy Wounds, devotion to the Sacred Blood, Devotion to Mary’s Tears etc) with a set of promises to match if you recite them everyday.

Or if you recite the prayer by St Gertrude you will release a thousand souls from purgatory? Will you really? Or if you pray prayers and do certain acts you will cut some of your “time” in purgatory (indulgences), as if the Lord is a prison warden who keeps tally’s?

By observation, in my mind these are proofs of spiritual immaturity, yet there does not appear to be much done to curb unhealthy spirituality which is characterised by emotionalism, and superstition (or bordering on superstition).

I just wonder at times
Does anyone else ever wonder?

Yes, I have wondered about these subjects.

But, really, how do you define superstition? Isn’t Faith in the same area as a superstition? We know the Catholic Faith to be true, but these “superstitious” parts, what do you make of them? They’re like Faith, you take 'em or you leave 'em. God doesn’t grant requests from people immediately, despite the fact that they pray to Him; and nobody ever said that indulgences, the “superstitious” stuff, etc. was granted immediately either. We must realize that we are human, whereas God is divine. There are bound to be imperfections in our religion as it was, after all, made by man. It may have been inspired by God, but man made it. If imperfect man made it, imperfect it will be. Just as man has sin, the Church has sin. Just as man is imperfect, the Church is imperfect.