Roman Catholics who privately use and study Eastern Catholic devotions

[Moonboots]

Nope. The integrity and internal consistency of a tradition is often understated. I personally do not see how mixing and matching is good. The only time I have ever used “Thomistic thinking” (i.e. Aristotelian metaphysics and syllogisms in theology) is to refute Thomists.

I do not pray the rosary either - nothing “wrong” with it, but the silent meditative aspect is very strongly a Latin characteristic. The rosary within the context of Latin tradition makes excellent sense. It would be strange to see a Syriac at a Syriac liturgy engaging in a devotion (like a rosary) - if they would like to do something more than participating individually, they could stand at the choir desk and sing the liturgy.

Maronites in general have been attempting this strange orientalization of Latin devotions. I cannot count how many “eastern rosaries” I’ve been gifted (i.e. rosaries tied like prayer ropes) or tis’awiyya (i.e. a novena) is Maronite because it’s in Arabic.

This is fascinating to me, as an American in the land of 99% Latin Rite Catholic Parishes. Would love to attend the Divine Liturgy in an Eastern Catholic Church at some point, and continue to learn more about other traditions that encompass Catholicism proper.

Thank you for sharing.

DK

 

[AveOTheotokos]

I’m a Roman Catholic, born and raised. Last year, I began occasionally reciting the Jesus Prayer. In my researching of it, I read an interesting article by Bishop Robert Barron called “A Pilgrim, A Bishop, and his iPhone” and shared it with my wife, who took note of my interest.

For Christmas, she got me the “Way Of A Pilgrim” book and I have thoroughly enjoyed the little bit I have read so far. Even though we are in the West, it’s okay to looks East every now and then

 

[hazcompat]

Pope Saint John Paul II
Crossing the Threshold of Hope

Man is the priest of all creation; he speaks in its name, but only insofar as he is guided by the Spirit. In order to understand profoundly the meaning of prayer, one should meditate for a long time on the following passage from the Letter to the Romans: “For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved” (Rom 8:19-24). And here again we come across the apostle’s words: “The Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings” (cf. Rom 8:26).
In prayer, then, the true protagonist is God. The protagonist is Christ, who constantly frees creation from slavery to corruption and leads it toward liberty, for the glory of the children of God. The protagonist is the Holy Spirit, who “comes to the aid of our weakness.” We begin to pray, believing that it is our own initiative that compels us to do so. Instead, we learn that it is always God’s initiative within us, just as Saint Paul has written. This initiative restores in us our true humanity; it restores in us our unique dignity. Yes, we are brought into the higher dignity of the children of God, the children of God who are the hope of all creation.

Peace

 

[Mosestheblack]

While I am Latin-rite catholic I do use an “Amalgam” of various devotions and ways of praying. Both western and eastern. The rosary, prayer rope, various chaplets, icons, I might even participate in certain fasts or events specific to one particular rite. Occasionally I even go to eastern masses. As long as it’s catholic I’ll probably have no problem with it!

 

[hazcompat]

Peace