Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.
How many popular songs in recent
decades have extolled memories? In addition, how often do we find ourselves and
others recalling important incidents and persons of the recent or distant past?
Remembering
When we stop to think about it, we are
following the same human pattern when we celebrate some aspect of the official
liturgy of the Church or a popular devotion. This is part of our Christian
heritage.
Memories, stories, family customs and
practices, and significant persons and events in our lives are a very important
part of each of us. Recalling special persons and events, and continuing
time-honored rituals with family and friends nourish the human spirit. This
stimulates us to imitate and to continue what our predecessors have achieved.
Living
the Liturgy
Thus it is with Jesus and his faithful
followers. We look to Mary and the saints for models and examples of how to
continue in the footsteps of our Redeemer. Therefore, we call on their help in
a variety of ways.
The mystery of God becoming human and
our role in this mystery is communicated to the Church not only in its official
teaching, but also in its liturgy, piety, art, music, and in the religious
experience of its members.
Our devotional heritage provides us
with many patterns for approaching God and worshipping Jesus Christ outside of
the Church’s official worship, the sacred liturgy. But all focus on our active
participation in the mysteries of salvation.
Devotional practices extend and continue the graces of the Eucharist and
the sacraments. They help us live our
baptismal vocation. We insert ourselves
into the ongoing plan of redemption as we make the way of the Cross, pray the
rosary, follow a novena, fast, offer particular prayers, and perform charitable
actions. However, from earliest times, devotions existed in the framework of
the liturgy. For example, devotion to Mary has always existed in the
Eucharistic Liturgy and in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Mary’s
close association in all the mysteries of Jesus is explicitly mentioned in
those
liturgical prayers.
Devotions
evolved as related forms of prayer
However, as time progressed, new forms
of honoring Mary and the saints, our heroes and models in the faith, were
developed and practiced without the need of an ordained priest. The Bible, the
liturgy, and the teachings of the Church have been the wellsprings for popular
devotions that are celebrated in public or in private. From those sources, we
develop other forms of celebrating God’s love for us in company with Mary and
the saints.
It is imperative to keep in mind that
when we call upon Mary and the saints we are communicating also with Jesus for
they lead us to him. In honoring the saints and asking for their assistance, we
honor Jesus Christ. Christ is always our focal point.
Devotions are not meant to displace
the liturgy but to extend it for special occasions and circumstances. They
complement our liturgical prayer life with other forms of expressing our
dedication to God.
If we honor or seek the help of Mary
and the saints, it is because they are human mirrors reflecting the goodness of
God. All this is borne out in the creed, code, and cult of our Christian faith.
What is said and believed of Jesus applies also to Mary and the saints in
appropriate, lesser degrees.
Alone or in a group, in public or in
private, with approved prayers or using a prayer which is spontaneous or has no
special authorization, we celebrate the life and love of our Savior in many
ways, most of which carry the respect of centuries: the Way of the Cross,
Eucharistic adoration, honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, praying the mysteries of the Rosary, special hymns and practices
which highlight Mary and the saints and their attachment to God, novenas,
pilgrimages to shrines, applying particular titles of holiness and protection,
and similar practices. Most of us have some familiarity with such devotions.
The
domestic church
The time-honored Catholic tradition of small altars,
shrines, and prayer niches in the home is a reminder of God’s presence in the
family setting. This practice began with
the first Christians who prayed privately in their homes before churches were
built for publish worship. And the
custom continued and fostered personal prayer even after churches were
constructed.
Such a space in a family dwelling
provides a place where members can gather to pray and focus on God. It is a tangible way of honoring God and his
saints and
attests that they have a cherished spot in the home, that they are always in
our midst.
A simple altar-like setting may
reflect the family’s history, petitions, and special devotions. It is a place of honor for items that hold a
special meaning and
value: a
crucifix, Bible, images or statues, votive candles, holy water, rosaries,
medal, prayer books, palm, photos of loved ones, incense, and other
sacramentals. These items may be rotated
as the liturgical season changes.
Historical
and doctrinal perspective
Important to our appreciation and use
of devotions is the understanding that they complement our life and further
enrich our personal relationship with Jesus, sometimes directly and sometimes
through the saints.
Since the second century devotion to
Mary and the saints originated as a need arose, or when a priest was not
available, or when a special occasion was to be marked, or when someone was
inspired.
Devotions are based on faith and need
a doctrinal underpinning. However, ordinary Christians at prayer are not
concerned with theological nuance. Theological inquiry has produced a high
Christology which tended to distance Jesus from ordinary people. He, like the
Father, was king and judge. Jesus Christ was much too distant to approach
directly. Enter Mary and the saints. It made much better sense to cultivate the
attention of his mother and most faithful disciple, and that of the saints.
They seemed much closer to our human condition and were kindhearted enough to
bend God’s ear in our favor. The Marian apparitions, even of the twentieth
century, have reinforced this attitude. Mary and the saints lead to Jesus. At
all approved shrines, for example, Mary directs us
to her Son
in the Eucharist and in the sacraments.
In terms of devotion to Mary, every
age tends to shape her image according to its own needs and desires. Yet, there
are certain constants in her image -- healer, intercessor, prophet and social
critic, gentlewoman who is mother, comforter, nurturer, counselor, and friend.
Mary is the perfect friend and mother for us.
The Gospel continues in Mary and the
saints -- and in us. We, the Church, are the continuation of Jesus Christ in
our time, place and circumstances. Consequently, we need these saints and
heroes as our models. Christian life
without the saints is unthinkable. The
saints are for the ages, ours no less than others, because they proclaim by
their lives that life is worth living, that a provident God cares for us. Mary and the saints personify this hope.
Vatican
II restored balance
However, the accolade that “never
enough honor can be given to Mary” (De Maria nunquam satis) must be placed in proper
perspective and understood accordingly, The Second Vatican Council moved in
this direction by adapting Catholicism to the modern world, re-emphasizing the
Biblical foundations of faith and worship, and directing us to the call of the
social gospel.
Vatican II moved to correct abuses and
excesses in liturgical worship and in popular devotions. The Council undertook
a theological re-shaping of the image of Mary and the popular impulses of
devotion to her and to the saints. It should be noted that in every age Mary’s
image tells us as much about ourselves as it does about Mary.
Balance is what we seek. Blessed Pope
John XXIII once remarked: “The
Madonna is
not pleased when she is put above her Son.” We must not over-humanize or
over-divinize the cult of Mary and the saints. Devotion should rest on a sure
theological and historical footing without neglecting the needs of our affective
piety for images of Mary and the saints, who are healers, intercessors,
prophets, and friends. The saints and Mary do for the faithful what friends do
for friends. Mary does for us what mothers do for children. What theologians
may sometimes overlook, we ordinary Christians will provide.
Remember
Participating in and continuing
honored practices of devotion are an important part of our faith-life. Devotions are touchstones of faith. They are
part of our Christian heritage. Sound
devotions extend and continue liturgical worship.
Remember, and be faithful.
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