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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH
OUR DEVOTIONS

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Within a Catholic Church, you will find many decorations adorning the walls which aren't necessary for the celebration of the liturgy, but which are part of popular devotions. By popular, we mean that they are the devotions of the people (populus). Devotions have a long tradition in the Catholic Church and they can enhance the spiritual life of the people as long as they do not overshadow the central work of the liturgy.

If you walk into St. Mary's Parish, you will see evidence of several different popular devotions. Let's take a look at them!!

Grotto

Off of the Freeman entrance, and through the glass doors is a tiny courtyard in the middle of the building. Several years ago, a little grotto was built to house a statue of Mary.

Many Catholics make pilgrimmages to such famous apparition sites as Lourdes and Fatima. Here, at the grotto, one can make a tiny pilgrimmage without leaving the comfort of Canada!

Our Lady

It is quite common to have statues of the saints in a Catholic Church, and definitely of the patron saint. Our parish is named "St. Mary's" and hence we have a statue of Mary, for she is the patron saint of our parish.

Contrary to what some think, Catholics do not worship Mary or the saints, rather we venerate them. They are brothers and sisters in the faith who have gone before us and modelled a Christian life. We are encouraged to follow them. We are also encouraged to pray through them, to Christ. We do not pray "to" them!

Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Sacred Heart of Jesus statue reminds us of God's love for us. If you look below the statue in the picture, you will see a bank of coloured glass candle holders. These are called votive candles and are commonly placed below statues in Catholic Churches. Votive comes from the Latin word "votum" which means "vow". When Catholics light a votive candle below a statue, they are generally seeking some favour from Jesus, Mary or the saint, usually in return for some promise or vow. It is traditional to pay a small monetary sum as one lights a candle, although this is not necessary.

Stations of the Cross

Every Catholic Church has a Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross somewhere on the walls. This is another traditional devotional prayer form, that has been practiced for centuries. There are traditionally 14 stations that the document events of Christ's passion and death. They range from his condemnation by Pilate to his burial in the tomb. Pope John Paul II revised the Stations of the Cross so that they were more scripturally based and included Christ's resurrection. Traditionally, the Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays during Lent, although individuals can make a Way of the Cross at any time.