Sacramentals and Popular Devotions

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Sacramentals and Popular Devotions

• USCCA Chapter 22
• Tuesday, August 13, 2019

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August 13, 2019

1. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the
   Church that bear resemblance to sacraments.
   Sacramentals

1. Dispose (or help) the believer receive the chief
   effects of the Sacraments.
2. Include blessings, actions such as processions,
   prayers such as the Rosary, and objects, such as
   Holy water, palms, ashes, candles and medals.

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August 13, 2019

1. Blessings invoke the Holy Trinity and give God
   praise for His gifts. Blessings can be applied
   to objects or people.

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August 13, 2019

1. Exorcisms are prayers that remove a person from
   the power of evil, from Satan and the devils.

1. There are both minor exorcisms, as done in the
   RCIA process, and major exorcisms.
2. Only a priest who has the permission of the
   bishop can do major exorcisms.
3. Before major exorcisms are performed, the person
   is diagnosed in order to distinguish
   psychological illness from actual demonic
   possession.

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August 13, 2019

1. Popular devotions of prayer and piety among the
   faithful have proven to be powerful forms of
   prayer, attracting and directing our souls to
   God.

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August 13, 2019

1. The Rosary is a unique form of Scripture-based
   prayer.

1. The Blessed Virgin Mary has urged the praying of
   the Rosary in her apparitions, especially Lourdes
   and Fatima.
2. The popularity of the Rosary has often been
   attributed to St. Dominic.
3. The Rosary is divided into Mysteries, events from
   the life of Jesus and Mary. It encourages
   prayerful meditation and contemplation on these
   events.

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For Discussion

1. See the Scriptural foundations of the Rosary on
   your worksheet. Choose a set of mysteries, and
   look up the Scriptural roots in the context of
   their of their biblical passages.
2. How has your participation in the devotional life
   of the Church strengthened and increased your
   faith in Christ?
3. How can you guard your devotional life in order
   to protect it from superstition?