Should Eastern Catholics incorporate western devotions like Divine Mercy?

[aemcpa]

There is no reason that Eastern Catholics can’t observe prayers and devotions in honor of the Divine Mercy on the Octave of Easter. In the West the day already goes by several names - the East could do the same thing if they so desired.

 

[brumano]

There’s a thread in the TC forum entitled [thread=773943]Do All Priests/Deacons/Nuns Believe in the Divine Mercy?[/thread], and it prompts me to ask something here:

Yesterday was, of course, New Sunday (at least it was on the Syriac calendar). The question is, did any other of our Eastern and Oriental members experience an observance of “Divine Mercy Sunday” in its place? Along with it? If so, which took precedence? And again if so, how was it done?

The ones who did not Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic missed out on an ocean of graces that’s for sure; they might consider today what they traded this incredibly great feast in return for, some smug self assurance that they don’t need this feast of mercy or ethnic, and liturgical traditions are somehow preferrable to the outpouring of God’s Mercy?
Can’t comprehend this at all.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Not sure why the Latin feast should take priority over the Eastern Calendars, it’s no less Ethnic/Cultural than the Eastern ones.

We Syriacs celebrated “New Sunday” not Thomas Sunday or Divine Mercy. We received Divine Mercy at the Liturgy as we do each Sunday and every Divine Liturgy.

I personally take offense at “Brumano’s” above post.

 

[aemcpa]

The ones who did not Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic missed out on an ocean of graces that’s for sure; they might consider today what they traded this incredibly great feast in return for, some smug self assurance that they don’t need this feast of mercy or ethnic, and liturgical traditions are somehow preferrable to the outpouring of God’s Mercy?
Can’t comprehend this at all.

It doesn’t have to celebrated distinctly as the “Feast of Mercy”; both the promise recorded by St. Faustina and the indulgence granted by Bl. John Paul II are available to anyone who receives Communion at any Catholic Mass on the Octave Day of Easter after making a sacramental confession.

 

[malphono]

Not sure why the Latin feast should take priority over the Eastern Calendars, it’s no less Ethnic/Cultural than the Eastern ones.

Neither am I.

We Syriacs celebrated “New Sunday” not Thomas Sunday or Divine Mercy.

Yep, had b-shabo hdatho. What it has been and should always be.

We received Divine Mercy at the Liturgy as we do each Sunday and every Divine Liturgy.

Indeed we do.

I personally take offense at “Brumano’s” above post.

Well ya know, come to think of it …

 

[Symeon]

The ones who did not Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic missed out on an ocean of graces that’s for sure; they might consider today what they traded this incredibly great feast in return for, some smug self assurance that they don’t need this feast of mercy or ethnic, and liturgical traditions are somehow preferrable to the outpouring of God’s Mercy?
Can’t comprehend this at all.

Sorry, but it is presumptuous in the extreme to claim to know what grace someone else may or may not have received.

And how are liturgical traditions opposed to the outpouring of God’s mercy? God’s mercy is poured out in every Divine Liturgy / Mass.

Divine Mercy Sunday is a beautiful feast on the Latin calendar, but how is it smug to observe what is on our (Byzantine) calendar, while it is not smug to observe what is on the Latin calendar?

 

[Angel_Gabriel]

The ones who did not Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic missed out on an ocean of graces that’s for sure; they might consider today what they traded this incredibly great feast in return for, some smug self assurance that they don’t need this feast of mercy or ethnic, and liturgical traditions are somehow preferrable to the outpouring of God’s Mercy?
Can’t comprehend this at all.

I’m sorry but I find this post incredibly offensive.

 

[aemcpa]

I’m sorry but I find this post incredibly offensive.

To be fair, he is referring to both Latin and Eastern Catholics who do not believe the private revelation to St. Faustina, or who may or may not believe it but aren’t devoted to it. So he isn’t singling out the East - he’s an equal opportunity offender.

 

[brumano]

To be fair, he is referring to both Latin and Eastern Catholics who do not believe the private revelation to St. Faustina, or who may or may not believe it but aren’t devoted to it. So he isn’t singling out the East - he’s an equal opportunity offender.

glad that’s noted.

 

[aemcpa]

No Divine Mercy propers, but a Divine Mercy sermon.

No, we do not celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy because the Sunday following Pascha in the Eastern Church is always Thomas Sunday. That’s the day we hear the Gospel about “Doubting” (or “Dowting” as some of my ECF students spelled it on a pop quiz yesterday) Thomas.

Certainly any individual, Eastern or Western Catholic (or non-Catholic for that matter) may follow any private devotion they wish; but Tradition and the Liturgical Cycle take precedence for us.

There are no distinct propers for “Divine Mercy Sunday”; the Church merely designated the Octave Day of Easter as “Mercy Sunday” and established the indulgence (which is obtainable by any Catholic regardless of rite). The Gospel of Doubting Thomas is still read in the Latin Church on that day as it always has been.

There is nothing preventing an Eastern parish from publicizing the Divine Mercy indulgence or even offering devotions in honor of the Divine Mercy on that day, nor is there anything preventing an individual Eastern Catholic from receiving it by means of participation in the Divine Liturgy. I would even venture to say that the Jesus Prayer, prayed to Christ in the Eucharist, suffices as the indulgenced act.

 

[twf]

Exactly. There seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of some Eastern/Oriental posters. In the Roman Rite the Gospel narrative of Thomas encountering the resurrected Lord is read. There are many names for this Sunday - “divine mercy” is just the latest additional “alias” in the West…it’s more about the private devotion than a reflection of the propers of the day (other than the obvious fact that the resurrection is a very appropriate time to meditate on the Lord’s infinite mercy).

 

[theistgal]

Exactly. There seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of some Eastern/Oriental posters.

No, I’m sorry, but I think the misunderstanding is on the Western side.

Again, while any individual may certainly practice the Divine Mercy devotion on their own (or any other devotion), the spirituality of the Eastern Church just does not normally include practices such as this. It is very much a part of the Western Church.

 

[theistgal]

(FWIW and just so I’m not misunderstood, I have no personal objection to the “Divine Mercy” visions and message. The icon associated with it is very lovely. I am just pointing out that it is not part of the Eastern tradition so while you may see individuals praying the Chaplet and using the icon to pray in front of, it’s not part of the liturgical schedule.)

 

[Peter_J]

The ones who did not Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic missed out on an ocean of graces that’s for sure; they might consider today what they traded this incredibly great feast in return for, some smug self assurance that they don’t need this feast of mercy or ethnic, and liturgical traditions are somehow preferrable to the outpouring of God’s Mercy?

Um … okay.

:ehh:

 

[CatholicZ09]

No, I’m sorry, but I think the misunderstanding is on the Western side.

Again, while any individual may certainly practice the Divine Mercy devotion on their own (or any other devotion), the spirituality of the Eastern Church just does not normally include practices such as this. It is very much a part of the Western Church.

I think what twf was saying was that it seems like some Eastern/Oriental posters believe we don’t read the Gospel regarding Thomas’ doubt of the resurrected Lord.

Traditionally, the Sunday after Easter in the Western Church is either the “Second Sunday of Easter” or “The Sunday of Divine Mercy”. We normally don’t title it “Thomas Sunday” or “St. Thomas Sunday” as the Eastern Church might.

 

[CatholicZ09]

The ones who did not Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic missed out on an ocean of graces that’s for sure; they might consider today what they traded this incredibly great feast in return for, some smug self assurance that they don’t need this feast of mercy or ethnic, and liturgical traditions are somehow preferrable to the outpouring of God’s Mercy?
Can’t comprehend this at all.

It’s important to note that the Church does not require anyone to take part in private revelation. Even though the Divine Mercy is widely accepted by the Western Church, it is not a requirement of faith.

Anyone gets plenty of graces whether attending the Mass or Divine Liturgy and taking part in the sacraments. The Divine Mercy is just a devotion based on private revelation.

 

[Peter_J]

I think what twf was saying was that it seems like some Eastern/Oriental posters believe we don’t read the Gospel regarding Thomas’ doubt of the resurrected Lord.

I’ve never heard an EC claim that, as far as I recall.

 

[jwinch2]

To be fair, he is referring to both Latin and Eastern Catholics who do not believe the private revelation to St. Faustina, or who may or may not believe it but aren’t devoted to it. So he isn’t singling out the East - he’s an equal opportunity offender.

First of all, the “ethnic” comment seems to be directed straight at Eastern Christians.

Secondly, did I miss a memo or something? Did the Holy See change the rules so that all Catholics are now required to believe in private revelation? Did the Church suddenly start regulating private devotions and requiring the Faithful to participate in them in order to be considered good Catholics? If not, then he is just as wrong regardless of whether he directed it only at Eastern Catholics, or to Catholics in general.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

For those Roman Catholics who are saying the Eastern Catholics (and/or Orthodox for that matter) are missing out by not having any specific (be it public or private) devotion to the Divine Mercy, I would challenge you to look deeply into Eastern spirituality. A central aspect of Eastern spirituality - particularly in the Byzantine tradition - is devotion to the “Jesus Prayer:” Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me (a sinner). With such a prayer there really is no need for a devotion like the Divine Mercy Chaplet. In fact I would venture to say that growing up praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet predisposed me as a Roman Catholic to embrace the Jesus Prayer later on in life.

The revelations of Divine Mercy to St. Faustina are private revelations and need not be believed by anyone (Roman Catholic, Eastern/Oriental Catholic, or Eastern/Oriental Orthodox). They have been included rather recently in the Roman Calendar for public veneration and assent, but have never officially been added to any of the Eastern or Oriental Catholic calendars. To call the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday “traditional” even for Roman Catholics is using the word “tradition” in its broader sense, seeing how the tradition was started within the last couple of decades. In fact, I remember when Divine Mercy Sunday was first officially added back in 2000 (I was 15 at the time).

All of this being said, I do remember Fr. Thomas Loya giving a wonderful talk on the similarities between the two feasts of Divine Mercy and Thomas Sunday. I believe at least a part of the talk is available for free on oltv.tv.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I don’t recall ever hearing an EC claim that.

I guess what I was trying to say is that EC was misunderstood what the West really considers the Sunday after Easter.