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Jennifer132
Guest
What is meant in Catholicism when they say "the cult of " something or someone? Is it like a devotion to that thing or person? Or a group of people devoted to it?
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ialsop
Guest
I would imagine that it means a certain devotion to them.
In some recent documents on Mary, the Latin titles have said the cult of Mary, meaning the CULTURE of devotion to Mary.
Not sure if that’s what you’re referring to. What would be an example?
The cult (or cultus) of something or someone is the approved public veneration of a particular saint or mystery. Part of the “benefit” of a canonized saint is that he/she gets a cult, which includes having churches dedicated to his/her memory (St. Taffy the Salty Catholic Church), having liturgical commemorations (St. Taffy, December 2nd, Memorial), often with liturgical texts composed, and permission to have his/her liturgical day celebrated publicly (for example, in a place where St. Taffy is the pricipal patron). For canonized saints, the cult is universal, i.e. public celebrations in his/her honour are permitted worldwide. For blesseds, the cult is usually only local, i.e. permission is granted to only a limited place, usually where the blessed is of significance.
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midori
Guest
You might try reading The Cult of the Saints: Its Rise and Function in Early Christianity for an idea of the historic scope and development. (ISBN 978-0226076225 or the revised 2014 edition ISBN 978-0226175263.)
Essentially, in pagan history, the earthly and the heavenly were two distinct things. In Christian history, however, heaven and earth were inextricably linked, in a large part, by the saints, who had been physically present on earth, and whose relics were still here, but who now dwelt in the presence of God, and could act as friends, intercessors, and patrons of those on earth. The cult of the martyrs, for example, would be an early example (you might try ISBN 978-0472104499 for some 4th-century flavor). But basically, the cult of x would cultivate devotion to x, who had preceded them on earth, whose faith and spirituality were inspiring and worthy of emulation, and whose place in heaven they were certain of, and whose intercession and patronage they would rely upon.
Essentially, in pagan history, the earthly and the heavenly were two distinct things. In Christian history, however, heaven and earth were inextricably linked, in a large part, by the saints, who had been physically present on earth, and whose relics were still here, but who now dwelt in the presence of God, and could act as friends, intercessors, and patrons of those on earth. The cult of the martyrs, for example, would be an early example (you might try ISBN 978-0472104499 for some 4th-century flavor). But basically, the cult of x would cultivate devotion to x, who had preceded them on earth, whose faith and spirituality were inspiring and worthy of emulation, and whose place in heaven they were certain of, and whose intercession and patronage they would rely upon.
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GEddie
Guest
The Cult of the Blue Oyster? 
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Generic_Name
Guest
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