Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025

Devotions, Explained!

Prayer Before Meals

Mini Explanation
The practice of praying before meals is Biblical, and in the Gospels, Jesus is shown praying before the Last Supper and other meals. In Laudato SI’, Pope Francis urged the faithful “to return to this beautiful and meaningful custom.”

Prayer Before Meals, Explained

Anyone who has ever dined in a Catholic home has probably heard the prayer before meals that begins with the famous words: “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts.” These words in particular are first found in the Galesian Sacramentary, a book of Christian liturgy that dates to the seventh or eighth century, but the practice of praying before meals is Biblical, harkening back to the Jewish ritual washing of hands before eating. In the Gospels, Jesus is shown praying before the Last Supper and other meals, setting an example followed by Paul in Acts 27:35.

In his 2015 encyclical Laudato SI’, Pope Francis urged the faithful “to return to this beautiful and meaningful custom.”

“That moment of blessing,” he wrote, “reminds us of our dependence on God for life; it strengthens our feeling of gratitude for the gifts of creation…(and) reaffirms our solidarity with those in greatest need.”

Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 1, 2025
Devotions, Explained!
Prayer After Meals

Mini Explanation
Though it is a less common practice in the modern world, early Church fathers like Tertullian and St. Jerome extolled the importance of praying after a meal, an action meant to inspire an attitude of thanksgiving and an acknowledgment of our dependence on God.

Prayer After Meals, Explained

Just as praying before a meal, praying after a meal is meant to inspire in Christians an attitude of thanksgiving and an acknowledgment of our dependence on God.

Though it is a less common practice in the modern world, early Church fathers like Tertullian and St. Jerome extolled the importance of praying after a meal, and the Christian poet Prudentius composed hymns for before and after meals (“ante cibum” and “post cibum”).

There are no “official” prayers for after a meal, but the most common one said by Catholics is this: “We give thee thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns forever and ever. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.” It is a benediction which recalls our perpetual fellowship with the entire Body of Christ, including those who have passed from this life.

Devotions, Explained!
Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Mini Explanation
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is both a title of the Blessed Mother as well as a corresponding icon that dates to the late Middle Ages, both of which present Mary as a source of strength and comfort for Christ and his followers.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Explained

Our Lady of Perpetual Help refers both to a title conferred upon the Blessed Mother as well as to a corresponding icon that dates to the late Middle Ages.

Painted on wood, the original icon has a Byzantine style and depicts the Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child. She is flanked by St. Michael and St. Gabriel, who hold the instruments of Christ’s passion, including a spear, nails and the Crown of Thorns. In the image, Christ seemingly leans into his mother’s embrace for comfort and strength as he contemplates these objects.

The icon is thought to have originated in Crete, but for 300 years was venerated in the Church of San Matteo in Merulana in Rome. Blessed Pope Pius IX entrusted the image to the Order of Redemptorists, who moved it to the Church of St. Alphonsus. He later established the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on June 27

Hail Mary

Mini Explanation
The words of the Hail Mary — undoubtedly the most recognizable Catholic prayer after the Lord’s Prayer — are deeply rooted in scripture, but Catholics did not begin to utilize the Hail Mary prayer in its current form until around the 11^th century.

Hail Mary, Explained

The words of the Hail Mary — undoubtedly the most recognizable Catholic prayer after the Lord’s Prayer — are deeply rooted in scripture. The opening lines of the prayer are taken from the words of the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation — “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” This line is known as the Angelic Salutation. The following words — “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus” — echo the sentiments expressed by Elizabeth at the Visitation.

The Angelic Salutation is regarded as the earliest devotional prayer to Mary, since it forms the very first words spoken to her as the Mother of God, but Catholics did not begin to utilize the Hail Mary prayer in its current form until around the 11^th century.

An in-depth explanation of each line of this prayer is provided in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2676-2677. 

Retreat

Mini Explanation
Spiritual retreats are an act of removing oneself from daily life for a period of prayer and reflection, with the intent of returning transformed. There are many kinds of retreats, but all share a common purpose: communion with God.

Retreat, Explained

Spiritual retreats are an act of removing oneself from one’s daily life for a period of prayer and reflection, with the intent of returning to that daily life transformed.

It was Christ himself who was the greatest and earliest advocate of spiritual retreat. In the Gospels, he is constantly depicted as withdrawing from other people to be alone in prayer. Likewise, participants in a modern retreat most often go somewhere like a retreat center to seek silence, solitude and communion with God. There are many different varieties of retreats; they can be guided and take place in a group setting, or they can be undertaken alone by just one person. Some are focused on a specific topic or theme; some are defined by periods of total silence. Though clerics are compelled by canon law to go on retreat regularly, all faithful are encouraged to make retreat part of their spiritual life.

The Rosary

Mini Explanation
Christians have used beads to mark the recitation of prayers since ancient times, but in the 12th century, the Rosary emerged as a meditative devotion centering on significant moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary.

The Rosary, Explained

Christians have used beads to mark the recitation of prayers since ancient times. In the 12^th century, the Rosary emerged as a meditative devotion centering on significant moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. In the words of St. Leo XIII, “there is no more excellent way of praying.”

The Rosary is traditionally attributed to a Marian vision received by St. Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221). Though scholarship on this point is uncertain, the Dominican Order was undoubtedly crucial in establishing and evangelizing the Rosary as a devotional prayer.

Over the centuries, the formula of the devotion eventually took the shape of 50 Hail Marys divided into five “decades,” with each decade focused on a different mystery. The Church has defined the Joyful Mysteries (to be recited on Saturdays and Mondays), the Glorious Mysteries (Sundays and Wednesdays), the Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays), and most recently the Luminous Mysteries (to be recited on Thursdays).

Sunday April 27, 2025, Second Sunday of Easter

Devine Mercy Sunday

 Sprinkling Rite

Mini Explanation
The rite of sprinkling, also called the Asperges rite, recalls the new life we receive in the waters of our baptism. Though most common during the Easter season, this rite can take place on any Sunday and is used in place of the penitential act.
 

Sprinkling Rite, Explained

The rite of sprinkling, also called the Asperges rite, describes the act of sprinkling the congregation with holy water, an action which recalls the new life we received in the waters of our baptism.

If this rite is performed during Mass, it takes the place of the penitential act.

The sprinkling rite usually takes place on Sundays during the Easter season but is permitted on any Sunday. When it is completed, the congregation sings the Gloria.

The name “asperges” comes from the first line of Psalm 51, a penitential psalm that begins with the words “Have mercy on me.” In the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, the Asperges rite is done before each principal Mass, except on Palm Sunday.

The tool used by the priest to sprinkle the congregation is called the aspergillum, and the bucket containing the water is called the aspersorium.

April 20, 2025

Easter Sunday

Seven Sorrows of Mary

Mini Explanation
The Seven Sorrows of Mary helps us to unite our own sufferings with those of Jesus, following Mary’s perfect example, as we meditate upon the great sufferings endured by Our Lord and his Blessed Mother.

Seven Sorrows of Mary, Explained

The Seven Sorrows of Mary refer to seven key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem, the meeting of Jesus and Mary as he carried his cross to Calvary, the Crucifixion and death of Jesus, the removal of the Body of Christ from the cross, and the burial of Jesus.

These events illustrate the great suffering endured by Our Lord and his Blessed Mother, and remind Christians to unite our own sufferings with those of Jesus, following Mary’s perfect example.

Devotion to the sorrows of Mary dates to the early centuries of Christianity, with such proponents as St. Ephrem, St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Bridget of Sweden.

The Seven Sorrows devotion can take the form of seven Hail Marys, seven Rosaries or a novena, all recited while meditating upon the individual sorrows.

April 13, Palm Sunday

Seven Churches Pilgrimage

Mini Explanation
The Seven Churches Pilgrimage is the practice of visiting seven different churches on Holy Thursday, in imitation of the journey of Christ on the eve of his crucifixion, when he asked his disciples to stay with him as he awaited his Passion and death.

Seven Churches Pilgrimage, Explained

The Seven Churches Pilgrimage is the practice of visiting seven different churches on Holy Thursday, in imitation of the journey of Christ on the eve of his crucifixion.

The devotion is thought to have originated in sixteenth-century Rome, where pilgrims — likely led by St. Philip Neri — would visit the seven major basilicas there: St. Peter’s in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls and Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

Pilgrims undertaking this journey anywhere in the world can visit any seven churches while adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament upon the Altar of Repose, fulfilling his request of his disciples to stay with him as he awaited his Passion. There are specific Scripture passages that pilgrims can meditate upon at each altar. 

April 6, 5th Sunday of Lent

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Mini Explanation — Great for social media or in your bulletin
Prayed with an ordinary five-decade Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer invoking God’s mercy on the world, utilizing words drawn from the text of The Diary of St. Faustina Maria Kowalska.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Explained
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer invoking God’s mercy on the world, utilizing words drawn from the text of The Diary of St. Faustina Maria Kowalska. St. Faustina was a Polish nun who received visions of Christ imploring her to spread the message of his Divine Mercy, specifically through the recitation of this chaplet.

Prayed with an ordinary five-decade Rosary, the chaplet opens with a recitation of the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostle’s Creed. The beads usually used for the Our Father are used to recite this prayer: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world,” followed by ten Hail Marys and the words “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

March 30, Forth Sunday of Lent

Devotions, Explained!
Novena         

Mini Explanation — Great for social media or in your bulletin
A novena is a nine-day period of prayer focused on a specific topic, saint, or devotion. There are four basic categories of novenas — novenas of preparation, of mourning, of prayer, and of indulgence. This 9-day period of prayer can be traced back to the Acts of the Apostles.

Novena, Explained
The word novena comes from the Latin word, novem, for nine. A novena is a nine-day period of private or public prayer. There are four basic categories of novenas — novenas of preparation, of mourning, of prayer, and of indulgence.

The nine days of prayer format comes directly from scripture where we read in the book of Acts that it was nine days after the Ascension that the Holy Spirit descended onto the Apostles. During that time, the faithful men and women “devoted themselves to constant prayer,” (Acts 1:12-14) waiting for the Lord.

Today, Catholics can find hundreds of novenas to pray about a plethora of topics. Many Catholics pray novenas in times of need or in devotion to a specific saint. Although a saint’s novena may traditionally begin or end on the saint’s feast day, while others, like the “Novena for Adopted Children” or the “Novena for Vocations,” can be prayed any time of the year, there is flexibility here for those wanting to pray. The faithful may choose to pray a private novena on any topic at any time! Want to pray a novena to St. Francis but it’s not his feast day? Go ahead!

March 23, Third Sunday of Lent

Devotions, Explained!
Anima Christi           

Mini Explanation — Great for social media or in your bulletin
Traditionally said after or before receiving the Eucharist, the Anima Christi dates to the 14th century and was a favorite prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Anima Christi, Explained
The Anima Christi prayer takes its name from its opening lines: Soul of Christ — “Anima Christi” in Latin. In this prayer, the faithful invoke the image of Christ crucified, calling upon the salvific elements of his wounds, his Body and his Blood to strengthen them, imploring him to save them from “the malicious enemy” and to bring them, in their final hour, to his presence.

The author of this prayer is unknown, but it originated in the 14th century and was referenced in St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. It is traditionally said after or before receiving the Eucharist.

March 16, Second Sunday of Lent

Taizé             

Mini Explanation
Taizé is an ecumenical Christian movement that is known for its distinctive style of music and prayer. Taizé devotees have carried its music and traditions to Catholic and Christian communities throughout the world.
Taizé, Explained
Taizé originated in France during World War II. It takes its name from the small town just southeast of Paris where Brother Roger Schutz, a Swiss Protestant, founded the community in the hopes of serving both Christian and Jewish refugees of the German-occupied country. In the years following World War II, Christian men from various traditions — Catholic and Protestant — came to live at Taizé and participate in Brother Roger’s vision of ecumenism, social justice and peace, eventually forming a community of about 80 brothers from nearly 30 countries.

Today, Taizé continues to be a place of pilgrimage, particularly for young people, who visit the community in the tens of thousands each year.

Taizé has also become well-known for its style of music and prayer, which emphasizes silence, contemplation and stillness. Taizé devotees have carried its music and traditions to Catholic and Christian communities throughout the world.

March 9, First Sunday of Lent
The Sign of the Cross                     

Mini Explanation
Christians have been making the sign of the cross since ancient times. It is not only an important component of formal liturgies and sacramental rites, but also a daily devotional practice whereby the faithful invoke the blessing and protection of God.

The Sign of the Cross, Explained
“I claim you for Christ by the sign of his cross.” These words from the Rite of Baptism, spoken as the priest traces a cross on the infant’s forehead, perfectly communicate the significance of that simple, familiar action. In signing the cross, we claim ourselves again and again for Christ, unite ourselves with His sacrifice on Calvary, and confess his victory over death.

Christians have been making the sign of the cross since ancient times, as evidenced by writings from Tertullian, Hippolytus and St. Cyprian. The ritual action is not only an important component of formal liturgies and sacramental rites, but also a daily devotional practice whereby the faithful invoke the blessing and protection of God.

In the Latin rite, it is made either with a movement of the full hand from one’s forehead, breast and shoulders (going right to left) or with the thumb tracing the cross on the forehead, lips and breast.

Icon Writing

Mini Explanation
Though an icon depicts an image, it’s much more than a religious picture. An icon is visual theology. It expresses the same truths written in the Gospel, but through an artistic medium, mirroring how Christ’s incarnation made the Word visible to man in the flesh.

Icon Writing, Explained
At first, the term “icon writing” may be confusing. Writing an icon? Shouldn’t it be drawing an icon, or painting an icon?

But although an icon depicts an image, it is so much more than just a religious picture. An icon is visual theology. Those who purchase icons for private devotion should have them blessed, as they are sacramentals. The Catechism tells us that “Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words.”

In early Christianity, this was deeply controversial. Many so-called “iconoclasts” pointed to the Old Testament’s prohibition of idols and insisted that it was sinful to represent the face of God in an image. But defenders of iconography like St. John Damascene pointed to the incarnation as a turning point in our visual relationship with God. In Christ, God made himself visible, and thus continually invites us to contemplate and understand Him visually

Devotions, Explained!
Fasting

Mini Explanation
Fasting was practiced by righteous men and women of the Old Testament and later by Christ himself. It remains an important part of the Christian devotional life today, being most strongly associated with the penitential season of Lent.

Fasting, Explained
The practice of fasting predates Christianity. The Old Testament is full of examples of righteous men and women mortifying their flesh for the purpose of making atonement or simply to grow closer to God. Jesus himself fasted for forty days and forty nights in preparation for the beginning of his public ministry, and we see his disciples following his example in the Acts of the Apostles.

Fasting continues to be an important part of Christian devotional life today. Many people feel the practice of fasting enhances their prayer and helps them fulfill St. Paul’s advice to “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) to grow in the Spirit. Most Catholics will associate fasting with the liturgical season of Lent, which begins and ends with obligatory fasting for all members of the Latin Catholic Church between ages 18 and 59.