Pope warns against heavy reliance on special devotions, private revelations
September 09, 2013
Pope Francis warned against a form of piety based only on special devotions, during a homily at Mass on September 7.
Commenting on Christ's rebukes to the Pharisees, the Pontiff said that the errors of the Pharisees can still be seen among those who "make so many commandments the center of their religiosity."
The Pope went on to challenge Catholics who rely too heavily on special devotions and private revelations. "If your devotions bring you to Christ, that works," he said. "But if you remain there, that's wrong."
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Posted by: fwhermann3492 -
Sep. 10, 2013 3:52 PM ET USA
This pope sure does know how to deliver a homily. I wish more priests were willing to step on some toes like this instead of patting us on the back and telling us what good Catholics we are because we show up to Mass on Sundays. In my opinion, that is one of the major problems with the church in the USA: limp, tepid preaching from the ambo.
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Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Sep. 10, 2013 8:02 AM ET USA
Wow! This is a breath of fresh air. In fact in a very succint manner, he gave the proper guide to discern the truth of a private devotion. If it leads you to Christ, good. If it leads you away from Christ or I would add in opposition to the Church, then it is bad.
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Posted by: mclom -
Sep. 09, 2013 6:25 PM ET USA
"The Pope went on to challenge Catholics who rely too heavily on special devotions and private revelations." He is right.
