Your definition of "devout" Catholic?

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For fun, describe someone who is “devoutly” Catholic.

I know there are seven minimal precepts, including the following: receiving Eucharist at Easter, Reconciliation during Lent, Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation and Sabbath observance, fasting and abstinence, provide for Church, keep marriage laws (if applicable), and love the Lord and evangelize.

I’m interested in your thoughts on how one surpasses those precepts to, in your estimation, to “devout.” I just want to have a light, but useful discussion. (I asked some in-laws and got the typical “old Italian ladies with rosaries.”)

Thanks!
 
Someone who receives the Sacraments, who has not “fallen away” on certain matters, and who are not ashamed/embarrassed to proclaim their faith when pressed.
 
The word devout comes from “devotion,” which means faith, not actions. Actions come from faith.
 
I would say a devout Catholic is someone who believes in the teachings of the Church and lives a Catholic life- attends Mass, prays, etc.
 
I personally don’t like the term devout. Too holy for me. While I do follow all the precepts of the church and am very active in our parish I never consider myself devout.:rolleyes: I even took offense one time our pastor refered to me as devout…I like the term practicing Catholic.🤷

I reserve devout for religious people…priests, nuns, etc.
 
I would say, the saints are devout…

our devotion, on the other hand, need to imitate theirs.

Just my opinion
 
For me its hard to define what I consider devout. I would say someone who goes to Mass more than 1 a week, knows their faith reasonably well, takes time to learn about their faith & the Catechism & Scripture (and continues to do so regardless of age), receives Communion and Confession frequently, prays a lot (rosary etc) etc. Some people may consider me that but I know of people who go to Mass more often than me, pray a lot more etc so I don’t necessary say that about myself.
 
I’ve known people who thought they were, but personally, I have never met one.

I like the comment of another poster who said there are only “practicing Catholics”…many of us will continue to practice, but few will ever get it down pat!
 
Devout: totally committed to a cause or a belief.

For me, a devout Catholic is the same as a committed Catholic, and I would use the two terms interchangeably. It means that our commitment to be Catholic is the most important aspect of our lives, and that we consistently strive to know our faith, to live it, and to be obedient to it, especially in those areas where it is most difficult for us to do so. It means, moreover, that we strive to grow in holiness, and that we take this vocation seriously.

I would not use the term to imply that one has been graced with a high degree of holiness, or that a devout Catholic is, by definition, a Saint, and nothing else.
 
This is not directed at the OP for I am sure she meant this as an innocent question, but am I the only one that has a problem with categorizing people like this?

Maybe it’s my cynicism or years in a parish but I have seen the needless pain, confusion, and anguish when people try to compare and contrast one person’s devoutness and holiness to others. It seems it’s never used to build others up, but to put people down. One really has to look no father than some of the threads on CAF
 
A devout Catholic is one who is trying their hardest to be a saint.
 
A practicing Catholic. It being strictly defined as saintly, to me is well, strict. I don’t fall into moral sin often, but I do, that doesn’t mean that I have left the faith, I just seriously messed up. Ya know?

Some people can’t attend mass more than once a week. Heck, some jobs/careers require people to not make it to Mass every Sunday. That doesn’t make them less devout.

I really hate labels.
 
I am sure there are many devout Catholics. I may very well have sat next to one at mass. Who am i to judge?
 
coachdennis said:
This is not directed at the OP for I am sure she meant this as an innocent question, but am I the only one that has a problem with categorizing people like this?

Maybe it’s my cynicism or years in a parish but I have seen the needless pain, confusion, and anguish when people try to compare and contrast one person’s devoutness and holiness to others. It seems it’s never used to build others up, but to put people down. One really has to look no father than some of the threads on CAF
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👍 Your post made me think of ‘The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector’ in Luke’s Gospel (Lk. 18:9-14)
 
Someone who is effective with preaching the Gospel without words.
 
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