'D E V O T I O N'

By : Saverinus Kaka, S.Pd

The Headmaster of SMA Tarsisius Vireta

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'Devotion' is derived from the Latin word "Devotio" which means worship, sacrifice, surrender, swear, piety, love. Devotion is always addressed to the heart attitude in which one directs himself to someone or something that is cherished and loved. In Christian tradition, the devotion is understood as a form of appreciation and expression of Christian faith outside the official liturgy.

 
              In the liturgy, the Church expresses and executes himself officially. Liturgy as a celebration of the church led by an official leader, with the structure and the standard procedures of celebration, generally applicable, binding and legal.

           Devotion is the practice of the spontaneous and more freely expression of people’s faith in God. Devotion can be performed individually or together (in groups). Although not an official liturgy, devotion is accepted and recognized legally by the Church. Official liturgy is often experienced as something that regular, dry, formal and stiff by the people. Conversely, devotion can be internalized by the people as something that meets the needs of affection, emotion and longing heart. Devotion is a popular religious practice which is easily accepted, understood and practiced.

The Appearance of People’s Devotion

1. Liturgical History Aspects:

The practice of devotion in the Catholic Church began to increase in the Middle Ages. In the eighth century the Roman ritual Liturgy in Latin was applied across Europe. In the XVI century, the Council of Trent uniform Liturgy of the Catholic Church explicitly and stiff. Common people increasingly feel alienated from the official liturgy of the church. Alienation and non-participation of people in the liturgy have caused the people’s desire of faith disclosure forms that are easier, simpler and satisfying their affection needs. Based on these conditions the various kinds of devotional practices appeared.

2. Anthropological Aspects:

Prayers in Roman Liturgy were recognized solid and rational, revealing more theological concept than religious experience of people. Therefore, people seek ways of expressing faith that can meet their needs. Devotion does not emphasize on the beauty of the theological prayers formulation, but rather emphasize the aspect of feeling and emotion that motivated by the longing heart of God.

3. Religious Community Aspects:

Most of the devotion of Catholics is also influenced by the religious practices of local people. Religious experience is the fundamental experience of every human being who misses the true happiness which is believed as a gift from the supreme power. Forms of expression of this religious experience is different. People who do not know yet the Lord may reveal their religious attitudes through ritual sacrifice to the gods, while Christians express their religious attitudes through local devotion. The task of the church is come into this popular devotion and purify the practice of devotion to the spirit of the Gospel. The Church keeps to recognize and appreciate various forms of people’s devotion, as long as the devotion is internalized in the "Spirit and Truth" (John 4:23).

Devotion Contribution

Devotion contributions to the Church Liturgy:

1.      Devotion helps to realize the importance of affective-emotional dimension in the liturgy. The values drawn in devotion can help us to appreciate the liturgy better.

2.      Devotion reminds the need for simplicity of expression of faith in the liturgy.

3.      Devotion reminds that the liturgy is a prayer. We need to think of a liturgy which conducts an atmosphere of prayer.

Matters Should Be Controlled In Devotion:

1.      Devotion was never viewed as a substitute for the liturgy. In the church known levels. Of all the official liturgy of the church, the Eucharist celebration is the highest level of liturgy and most importantly. Then, it is followed by the other sacraments. However, the practice of devotion can be connected with the official liturgy. For example, the novena in the Eucharist celebration.

2.      Devotion must be kept away from the danger of magical practice. This occurs when people view the strength and power of sanctification comes from goods, spells, numbers, etc.

3.      Devotion must be kept in accordance with the church faith as stated in Holy Bible (or Scripture) and Tradition of the Church. The private devotional / groups beliefs do not always have to be the faith of the Universal Church. Therefore, dealing with many Apparitions (Penampakan), the church always takes caution.

The  Types Devotion:

1. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
2. Cross Roads Celebration.
3. Novena
4. Pilgrimage
5. Devotion to St. Mary
6.  

Things That Need To BE Kept In Mind In Devotion:

1.      Jesus Christ, in His divinity and humanity, is the only mediator of God and man.

2.       Devotion to Mary and other saints, in the end is a devotion to Christ, because His mercy grace is already glorious in Mary and the Saints.

3.      Based on faith and obedience to the Word of God, Mary is an excellent model for the church and its members. Mary was a wonderful student.

4.      Apparitions, visions, and other extraordinary events which is associated directly or indirectly to Mary, may be trusted; or can not be trusted.

5.      It should not be "Content, Message, sign, help, or the like" in the events above viewed and placed parallel to the Gospel. Content or messages should be assessed in the light of church faith and should not conflict with Holy Bible (or Scripture).

Finally, in the light of faith and our love of Mother Mary, I hope that the main points of this simple thought can help the Christians at least, in faith appreciation. God never dies, never stop looking for Him. In that effort, let us learn from Mary, Mother of Jesus and our beloved Mother.***