Devotions
Part 1 Introduction

Chapter v12 Introduction
12:629 Devotional Prayer - Fall 2011

Rational for this Course

Reading Assignments

Text One: The Directory   The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline for the Sacraments has recently (December, 2001) addressed the issue of the relation between "liturgy" and "devotions"  in The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines.  (The text of this document is  available in English on the Vatican web site   I do not know of any printed text of the document [perhaps this fact in itself is significant].   This directory is a rather long and rambling document and we will study especially the general principles.  In conjunction with the chapter on the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will also read Marialis Cultus, by Pope Paul VI, his  Apostolic Exhortation for the Right Ordering and Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, (February 2, 1974).  The text available in English on the Vatican web site. This is the best official statement on devotion to Mary that we have currently in the Church.

Text Two:  Commentary  The second text we will study is the commentary on the Directory edited by Peter Phan:  Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy:  Principles and Guidelines are Commentary.  (ISBN 0-8146-2893-1)   For the past several years I have been participating with other scholars at the North American Academy of Liturgy in studying the relation between "prayer" and "culture".   This Commentary has been written by various participants in this seminar and by other scholars who have particular expertise in these areas.    The Commentary is especially helpful in evaluating The Directory and in applying it to our American cultural and pastoral context. 

Text Three:  History  The third text we will study is of a different nature from the first two texts.  James O'Toole (editor) in Habits of Devotion: Catholic Religious Practice in Twentieth-Century America (Cushwa Center, ISBN 0801442567) has given us a history of devotions in in the United States.  The introduction of the book states:

In Habits of Devotion, four senior scholars take the measure of the central religious practices and devotions that by the middle of the twentieth century defined the "ordinary, week-to-week religion" of the majority of American Catholics. Their essays investigate 1) prayer, 2) devotion to Mary, 3) confession, and 4) the Eucharist as practiced by Catholics in the United States before and shortly after the Second Vatican Council.

James M. O'Toole is Professor of History at Boston College. He is the author of Passing for White: Race, Religion, and the Healy Family, 1820--1920 and Militant and Triumphant: William Henry O'Connell and the Catholic Church in Boston, 1859--1944. He is also coeditor of Boston's Histories: Essays in Honor of Thomas H. O'Connor.

We will read these three texts according to the schedule indicated in the syllabus.

Suggested Reading: 

United States Catholic Conference. Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist.   Liturgy Documentary Series #11 (USCCB, 1996.  Publication No. 5-106).  ISBN 1-57445-106-X.  This text seems to be currently out of print.

Charles H.  Lippy.  Being Religious, American Style: A History of Popular Religiosity in the United States. Westport ,CT: Greenwood. (Praeger Publishers) 1994 ISBN 0-275-94901-X. Paper. $22.95.  296 pages.

Orlando O. Espín.  The Faith of the People:  Theological Reflections on Popular Catholicism.  Maryknoll, NY:  Orbis Books, 1997.  ISBN 1-57075-0308.  $25.00.

Other works are suggested in Chapter v17 Bibliography

Class Method

The course method is rather simple and straight forward.  We will read the texts according to the schedule indicated in the syllabus.  Before each class period, each participant in the seminar is to post an essay of 400-600 words  -- about one page -- on a topic related to the readings (as described above in the course syllabus) in the appropriate discussion box on MOODLE.   Participants are to post the assignment by midnight of the day before the class meeting.  The grade for the assignment will be lowered one letter grade if it is not posted before the deadline.  (I read the postings before the class meets in order to plan the class time to best meet your needs; I need the postings to prepare for the class meeting.)  I consider the postings very important because I want you to think about these matters -- and usually we are not sure what we are thinking till we express the ideas in writing or speaking.  During the semester, therefore, take every opportunity to write and speak!  

Before the class period I will read these essays.  I will then prepare appropriate lecture materials and during the class period I will present material which, I hope, complements the readings and your essays.  Each class period several of the participants will be asked to open their essay on MOODLE, project it on the screen, and presented to the class.  We will then discuss the essay.  The class meetings are as interesting as the postings and presentations -- and in the past this has been very satisfactory for all concerned.

Catechesis is central to the ministry of the priest and lay professional.  Practice makes perfect.  I look upon these class presentations of your essays not as a way to "take up time" on a long afternoon but as important preparation and practice for this ministry which will be central to your vocational fulfillment and satisfaction. 

After each class period, I will adjust the "during class time" entry on the syllabus to reflect what we actually discussed; this will make it easier for you to review the material before the next class period.  For this reason I suggest that you work from the syllabus "on line" rather than from a "hard copy."