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Top: Society: Religion_and_Spirituality: Christianity: Denominations: Catholicism: Prayer_and_Spirituality: Devotions

Devotions are non-liturgical rituals and similar prayers. They are called "popular" devotions because they often appeal to ordinary people and are adopted spontaneously.

Devotions are optional for Catholics.

While devotions can be helpful, they are not usually the mainstay of a balanced spiritual life. The sacraments and the discipline of the universal Church come first. It is also hard to imagine someone who, for example, makes novenas in honor of one saint, goes to Mass, and never prays in any other way.

Although devotions are optional, that does not mean that "anything goes". We must avoid anything superstitious. Before taking up a prayer or practice we ought to ask whether it will strengthen our faith in God.

Chaplets

A chaplet is a string of beads or, sometimes, a cord with knots, formed into a loop. The beads or knots are used to mark one's place when saying a number of prayers in succession. The most familiar chaplet today is the Rosary. But other chaplets are in use. If you have seen something that resembled a Rosary but with fewer (or more) beads, it may have been a chaplet.

Christ-Centered

Of course, every Christian is devoted to Jesus Christ. These are optional devotional prayers and practices which focus on Christ.

Marian

Marian devotions are prayers that call on Mary to intercede for us.

Novenas

"Novena" comes from "novem", the Latin word for "nine". A novena is a prayer, set of prayers, or a devotional practice carried out over the course of nine days. Usually, but not always, a novena takes place in nine consecutive days.

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