Where is the Liturgy Going?

[Catholic_Author]

I know some good Catholics who do not have a strong devotion to Mary. As much as I would wish for them to experience this joy, I cannot imagine it as a flaw if they do not. I think that anyone who accepts the Marian Dogmas is moored to this pillar.

Additionally, there are other devotions like Divine Mercy that were promulgated after Don Bosco’s time and which are pillars in themselves. A good Litany (like the Litany of Loreto) pays much respect to Mary.

 

[awalt]

Actually, it’s not a question of right and wrong when it comes to devotion of Mary, but reading the Catechism around #971, the Church is VERY clear:

The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is ***intrinsic ***to Christian worship

The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.

IMHO it’s worth praying and reflecting on what our Church teaching really means by this.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Actually, it’s not a question of right and wrong when it comes to devotion of Mary, but reading the Catechism around #971, the Church is VERY clear:

IMHO it’s worth praying and reflecting on what our Church teaching really means by this.

Plenty of folks, like myself, have ‘been there, done that’ and have had to come to accept a lack of any draw to the assorted personal devotional practices regarding Mary. That lack does not make someone less Catholic.

 

[porthos11]

Actually, it’s not a question of right and wrong when it comes to devotion of Mary, but reading the Catechism around #971, the Church is VERY clear:

IMHO it’s worth praying and reflecting on what our Church teaching really means by this.

That’s why I’m pretty happy when it comes to celebrating feasts and solemnities of our Lady. When those days come around, I immediately end up praying the Propers of the Divine Office. Every single day, at Evening Prayer, we pray the Magnificat. And at Night Prayer, the very last part of the day is an antiphon to our Lady.

Oh, yes, even we who do not have strong personal devotions to our Lady cannot escape the Church’s devotion to her. Because when you find Christ, you find our Lady, like the Magi did.

But if you insist that those of us not especially Marian in spirituality should adopt certain personal devotions, such as novenas and even the Rosary, as beneficial as they are, then that is treading. Some of us prefer to relate with our Lady in other ways, such as through the Eucharist and the Church’s liturgical cycle.

 

[awalt]

But if you insist that those of us not especially Marian in spirituality should adopt certain personal devotions, such as novenas and even the Rosary, as beneficial as they are, then that is treading.

You need to read what I said one more time if you saw any insistence on any particular personal devotions. I merely pointed out what our Church teaches, and suggested that everyone pray and reflect on that.

 

[palmas85]

Eucharistic - fine - all for that.

Marian devotion - well I think I will pass.

Could I ask why or is that too personal?

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Could I ask why or is that too personal?

from an earlier post:

Just 1 hr a wk
Senior Member

Join Date: November 27, 2007

Re: Where is the Liturgy Going?

Quote Originally Posted by peary: Why?

Answer: We pray as we can - not as we can’t.

           Not everyone is drawn to Marian devotions.

 

[dbacks5439]

I wonder what Don Bosco has to say on Marian devotions… Maybe this conversation was also another dream of his…

 

[palmas85]

from an earlier post:

Just 1 hr a wk
Senior Member

Join Date: November 27, 2007

Re: Where is the Liturgy Going?

Quote Originally Posted by peary: Why?

Answer: We pray as we can - not as we can’t.

           Not everyone is drawn to Marian devotions.

Not drawn to Marian devotions? What exactly does that mean? The answer is very vague and really doesn’t answer the question.

As I said if it is too personal, I understand, but this answer is not really an answer at all.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Not drawn to Marian devotions? What exactly does that mean? The answer is very vague and really doesn’t answer the question.

As I said if it is too personal, I understand, but this answer is not really an answer at all.

I don’t understand how it is ‘not really an answer’.

Have you ever learned about a specific devotion and your reaction was “I should try to do this myself” or find yourself missing it if you stop practicing it?

If you have then you have experienced being drawn to a practice or devotion. The opposite can happen too.

We pray as we can, not as we can’t.

 

[Catholic_Author]

I wonder what Don Bosco has to say on Marian devotions… Maybe this conversation was also another dream of his…

It is said of SJB that because of his love for Mary and the priesthood he gave sermons on the virtues of virginity that would make men weep. Few if any could adequately repeat the beautiful things he said on this topic. Many of his dreams preached devotion to Mary some of them specifically through the Rosary.

In a story he told called the Fiendish Elephant, children are threatened by a mammoth they have taught to do circus tricks but the creature turns on them in a rampage,and even invades the sanctuary. A statue of Mary comes alive and protects anyone who runs to her by hiding them in her mantle.

In another parable known as the Snake and the Rosary, a vicious snake is conquered by snapping a rope at it. There’s a bit more to the story but suffice it to say that it is explained to us that the snake is symbolic of the devil where the rope stands for the Rosary.

There are many more such stories from SJB promoting the Rosary and devotion to Mary as security in a dangerous world. Most of these stories were meant for the youth but seminarians also received them. Some of SJB’s dreams stayed fresh in the minds of those who heard them for many years. Such was the case of one visitor to the oratory named Canon John Mary Burlot. He heard the Dream of the Two Columns in 1862 and did not stay at the oratory. He returned 1886 wanting to discuss the same dream. Then in 1907 he returns to the oratory again and recites the entire dream to Don Bosco’s biographer Fr. Lemoyne. In short, SJB’s goodnight talks on the Eucharist and Mary had an amazing impact on people.

 

[palmas85]

I don’t understand how it is ‘not really an answer’.

Have you ever learned about a specific devotion and your reaction was “I should try to do this myself” or find yourself missing it if you stop practicing it?

If you have then you have experienced being drawn to a practice or devotion. The opposite can happen too.

We pray as we can, not as we can’t.

Well what is it exactly about Marian devotions that you don’t care for? I guess that would be a better question.

 

[porthos11]

Well what is it exactly about Marian devotions that you don’t care for? I guess that would be a better question.

He simply means that he doesn’t feel drawn to Marian devotions. Perhaps he’s drawn to Christocentric, Eucharistic, or some devotions to other saints.

He is NOT saying he is against Marian devotions.

 

[palmas85]

He simply means that he doesn’t feel drawn to Marian devotions. Perhaps he’s drawn to Christocentric, Eucharistic, or some devotions to other saints.

He is NOT saying he is against Marian devotions.

I do find it strange that you answered for this poster. I wasn’t asking you anything. Besides, unless you are this poster, how could you possibly know how or what this poster truly feels?

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Well what is it exactly about Marian devotions that you don’t care for? I guess that would be a better question.

No - not a better question!! LOL

How do you explain an attraction??? This is much the same but opposite!

 

[Kevin42]

Don’t worry just1hr, I have never felt a strong draw to Marian devotion either.

This is not to say I do not love our Blessed Mother, or look to her as an example of how to follow Christ. I do give our Blessed Mother all the reverence and honour that she, being the mother of our Lord, deserves. I do pray the rosary on occasion, especially for my friends or when it prescribed as a penance. However, all that being said, I feel much more strongly pulled to other devotions.

 

[palmas85]

No - not a better question!! LOL

How do you explain an attraction??? This is much the same but opposite!

If you do not have an attraction as you call it for this devotion, I would think you could explain it. As I said, if it is too personal I understand.

Not saying this pertains to you of course, but many of those enamored with the the general post Vatican II way of thinking don’t feel an attraction for Marian devotions either In fact after Vatican II many made a concerted effort to stop these devotions in their entirity as being unbiblical.

Do you feel perhaps that such devotions are unbiblical as well? Could that possibly be why you don’t feel an “attraction” to them?

 

[mgrfin]

He simply means that he doesn’t feel drawn to Marian devotions. Perhaps he’s drawn to Christocentric, Eucharistic, or some devotions to other saints.

He is NOT saying he is against Marian devotions.

I think variety is the spice of devotional life. You can say the Divine Office, attend Mass, during which you receive the Eucharist, say the Magnificat at Noon, Prayer the Rosary in the afternoon, make a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, attend a Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and in the evening attend Bible Study.

All such ‘devotions’ are good and fruitful. A full day, I would say.

peace

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

If you do not have an attraction as you call it for this devotion, I would think you could explain it. As I said, if it is too personal I understand.

Not saying this pertains to you of course, but many of those enamored with the the general post Vatican II way of thinking don’t feel an attraction for Marian devotions either In fact after Vatican II many made a concerted effort to stop these devotions in their entirity as being unbiblical.

Do you feel perhaps that such devotions are unbiblical as well? Could that possibly be why you don’t feel an “attraction” to them?

NO

NO

NO

NO

I have taken part regularly in assorted Marian devotions - including trying to be in Legion of Mary for over a couple of years as a youth and 6 months as an adult.

If I did not forget to do the various prayers it was painful and distracting to do so.

One day in the struggle I found great calm and accepted that these were not for me.

We pray as we can, not as we can’t.

 

[palmas85]

NO

NO

NO

NO

I have taken part regularly in assorted Marian devotions - including trying to be in Legion of Mary for over a couple of years as a youth and 6 months as an adult.

If I did not forget to do the various prayers it was painful and distracting to do so.

One day in the struggle I found great calm and accepted that these were not for me.

We pray as we can, not as we can’t.

Just wondering, No offense meant. Just wondering. I have read with great interest many of your posts and I noticed a common thread running through them, thats all.

I do find it a bit odd though that anyone would feel pain and distraction at praying to the Blessed Virgin unless they had some personal difficulty with the concept of her role in Heaven.