History Grid
Part 2 History
Chapter 21 History of Devotions
Preliminary Questions
Bibliography
1. Apostolic [0-399]
Prayer and devotions centers on the person of Christ
Liturgy was not yet “fixed” and consequently there was no distinction between liturgical prayer and devotional prayer. Communal prayer was spontaneous and participatory.
Many elements taken from Jewish rituals performed in temple and synagogue.
Communal prayer incorporates many elements (vestments, etc.) from local cultures.
Beginning of the cult of the martyrs ("Pray for John" becomes "John, pray for us").
2. Patristic [400-799]
c. 400 Liturgical families or Rites develop around the great cities. Synchronization between culture and prayer. Liturgy incorporates cultural elements from the people living in that area.
The liturgy became fixed, organized, and established. Liturgical texts become fixed.
Sacredness of "time" and "place" emerge. Beginning of the liturgical calendar. Celebration of Easter and Christmas. Epiphany. "dies natalis" of the martyrs.
"Norms" (rubrics) for organized religion were being established by bishops and regional synods.
3. Early Medieval [800-1199]
Eastern Church struggles with iconoclastic heresy.
Cistercian monasticism flourished along with its practice, especially St. Bernard’s affective spirituality.
Origins of "Hail Mary" as popular prayer
Rosary (with Our Father) becomes the "Psalter" (150 psalms / 150 Our Fathers) of the illiterate (non clerics)
[Pater's and Ave's common "timing devices" for recipes etc. before clocks become widespread.]
4. Medieval [1200-1299]
Beginning of the split (distinction) between the "official" Liturgy and popular piety. Liturgy becomes exclusive domain of the clergy (who can read Latin).Scholastic philosophers emphasize the intellect (the “rational” understanding of the liturgy). The will (loving) and religious “affect” are satisfied by devotional prayer.
"Schools" of spirituality begin to develop.
5. Late Medieval [1300-1499]
1347 - 350 The Black Plague
Hundred Year War -- thousands losing their lives.
People turned to the saints for hope and prayer. They needed to hear miraculous stories and developed a strong sense of mysticism. There was an urgent need for hope in a time of death and destruction.
Mendicants promote the rosary (especially Dominicans). Rosary becomes a lay version of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Rise of "spiritual movements" and associations.
Rise of the Devotio Moderna. (e.g. The Imitation of Christ).
Franciscans spread devotion to the humanity of Jesus; the Crib; the Holy Land; Jesus’ suffering on the cross; Crucifix; stations of the Cross. [Francis refuses to preach the crusade.]
6. Reformation [1500-1699]
"Discovery" of the "New World" brings new challenges to Liturgy and popular piety.Selling indulgences.
Codifying the split between Liturgy and popular piety.
Luther retained devotion to Mary (e.g.. Hail Mary) for a time. But then wished to purify the liturgy be returning to the Apostolic and Patristic period of public prayer.
Catholic continued their devotional life and these devotions now become marks of “Catholic Identity.”
7. After Trent [1700-1899]
Because of the rigidity of the Liturgy, popular piety enters a period of extraordinary development but it is controlled through imprimatur's and nihil obstat's .
Rise of the Enlightenment. Liturgy becomes the religion of the learned and popular piety becomes the religion for the common folk who "don't know any better." The gap between the wealthy and the poor had widened, and the more educated wealthy viewed the pious expressions as superstitious.
Individualism leads to a loss of the communal aspect of liturgy.
The Protestant Reformation gave rise to more rigid liturgies, a purification of ritual and teaching. There was an even stronger phenomenon of clericalism. As the liturgy is ever more clericalized and removed from the people (in Latin, deputed by Holy Orders, private Mass with only priests present) people turn to devotions to nourish their faith (e.g. Benediction more popular and more festive than Mass.)
8. Before Vatican II [1900-1959]
At the beginning of the Twentieth Century the Holy Spirit inspired scholars in various countries to a renewed interest in the history, rituals, and meaning of the Eucharist. Manuscripts and records which had been neglected or lost for centuries were re-discovered and studied. A “Liturgical Movement” was born in the great monasteries of Solesmes (France), Mont Caesar (Belgium), Maria-Laach (Germany) and other centers of prayer and research. These studies uncovered many new “facts” which made possible the liturgical renewal embodied in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the first document promulgated by the Second Vatican Council, December 4, 1963.
Miracles, apparitions, and pilgrimages became popular forms of piety. Fatima (Portugal) and Lourdes (France) become popular pilgrimage places and centers of devotions to Mary.
Pius X emphasized the superiority of the liturgy and attempted to bring the liturgy closer to the people.
Pius XII issues the encyclical Mediator Dei; while it is the first encyclical on the Liturgy, it also defends pious exercises.
1949 the national directors of the association of Benedictine Oblates held their first conference and discussed at length the role of the family in Church and state.
9. Vatican II [1960-1975]
The liturgy is now celebrated in the vernacular and non-clerics can understand it. Liturgy becomes more "popular" and is generally preferred to devotional prayer.Eastern religious practices expanded into the West: Yoga, Taoism, Zen meditation, centering prayer, Enneagram, etc.
Many "new" devotions arise and become popular: lectio divina,
Meditation, Yoga. Enneagram, Labyrinth, retreats, Marriage Encounter, Emmaus
Walk, Christian Family Movement
10. After Vatican II [1975-2050]
Relaxation of communion fast makes evening Mass possible. Evening Mass is preferred by many Catholics to evening devotions.
Eucharist becomes the "new devotion".
Restoration of the lectionary gives variety and substance to liturgical prayer.
Reemergence of Catholic devotional life.
Struggle between authentic expressions of popular religiosity and oversight by the Sacred Congregations.
To Think About
What do you see as the future of "pious devotions" in the United States during the time of your ministry in the Church?
© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved. This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own. Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it. This site was updated on 10/07/08 . Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.