The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You (Paperback)

~ (Author), Regis J. Flaherty (Author) "Beginning to pray - this topic alone could easily consume this entire book..." (more)
Key Phrases: mental prayer, morning offering, holy hour, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Blessed Mother (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Catholics could enrich their spiritual lives immeasurably by rediscovering their legacy of devotions, contend Aquilina (author of five previous books for OSV) and Flaherty (executive director of the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Cemeteries). The authors' enthusiasm for their subject is admirable. They cover various practices--including meditation, the rosary and confession--but such ambitious scope limits the reader's full appreciation of each practice. The reader's cursory comprehension of these devotions is further hindered by the book's awkward narrative structure. Each chapter highlights several practices by describing a prayer, offering a reflection and including quotations from notable Catholics about the prayer. The authors miss chances to connect devotion to devotion. For example, the section on "How to Pray an Aspiration" (a short prayer that glorifies God) follows the section "How to Meditate" without explaining whether these practices should be independent of, or foster, each other. The final chapter focuses on the necessary ingredients of a good spiritual life: making a spiritual plan, finding direction and living one's faith. Aquilina and Flaherty are at their best here--perhaps this should have been their starting point. The book's curiously abrupt ending demonstrates its narrative problems most plainly, leaving the reader to tie up loose ends. Despite good intentions, this manual will most likely miss the opportunity to recapture Catholics' enthusiasm for their rich spiritual heritage.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

De-vo-tion (di-voh-shun) n. 1. Great love or loyalty, enthusiasm, or zeal. 2. Religious worship. 3. Prayers.

You know a lot about the Catholic Church, or maybe you are just learning, but there are things that confuse you—like what to do when you pray a novena, or how to "offer up" something, exactly what the Angelus is, or any of the dozens of other devotions that set Catholics apart from other Christians. But help is here! The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions is the only book that not only provides the who, what, where, when, and why of the most time-honored traditions of the Church but also the how. In this complete guide you get:

• step-by-step guidelines to all the devotional rites and rituals of the Catholic Faith

• a history of each devotion and a reflection on its importance in the prayer life of Catholics

• succinct and salient quotes from saints and prominent members of the Church

• cautions, drawn from Scripture and Tradition, for potential temptations and distractions

• the blessings and graces associated with the devotions

If you want to learn what devotions comprise a truly Catholic life—and share those practices with others—you can’t be without The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions.

Now discover how to:

• Pray the Sign of the Cross, Morning Offering, Grace Before Meals, Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love, and many more

• Pray the Angelus

• Make First Fridays and First Saturdays

• Make a novena

• "Offer up" something

• Pray the Rosary

• Read the Bible

• Practice mental prayer

• Examine your conscience

• Fast and abstain

• Pray with sacred images

• Consecrate your life to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or the Immaculate Heart of Mary

• Make a pilgrimage

• Wear a scapular

"This charming book shows you how to plunge in and do all the things devout Catholics do. Learning to pray in Catholic ways, learning to use Catholic things like scapulars and blessings and holy water, and learning to eat fish on Friday while knowing why -- all this amounts to more than one might think. Learning the practices of faith is learning faith again, and remembering why faith is so human and so sacred, and so dear to us."-- Fr. Ronald Lawler, O.F.M. Cap. Member, Pontifical Roman Theological Academy

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879734159
• ISBN-13: 978-0879734152
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,915 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The The How-To Book Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catholic Devotions Made Easy!, July 14, 2004

By	Dennis Phillips "The Book Friar" (Bulls Gap, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Often times, the biggest problem faced by those new to the Catholic faith is that they are surrounded by lifetime Catholics. Not that there is anything wrong with lifetime Catholics for these people are the pillars of the faith but they have trouble grasping just how much the novice has to learn. Having lived all of their life with all of the tradition and ritual of the Church these lifetime Catholics can't know just how confused someone new to the Church can become. That is where books like this come in.

The authors seem to have aimed this book at Catholics who have never been at all active in the Church and have never been taught its ways but for the novice this book is a treasure. Many of the central beliefs of the Church are explained here and explained in a way that anyone can understand. For example, most Catholics wouldn't really consider Holy Water confusing. The new Catholic however only knows that Dracula doesn't like the stuff and has no idea of its real significance. This book explains just what it symbolizes and is used for.

Among the things explained in this book are the Sign of the Cross, the Angelus, pilgrimages, the Sacred Heart, and the significance of Fridays. All of it explained in an easy to grasp and fun to read manner. About mid-way through the book the reader will almost hear the sound as everything begins to click. Suddenly, many things that were kind of fuzzy become clear and understandable. Things learned in this book will bring the whole world of the Catholic Church into a much clearer focus.

Many people have great knowledge of the things they write about but only a few can communicate their knowledge as well as these two authors. For someone thinking of converting or just curious this book will be a great help and I highly recommend it to anyone going through the RCIA. Even if you are just studying the Catholic Church to better understand world history, this book is a must. An easy and quick read this book explains much of the knowledge of two thousand years. What more could one ask for?

94 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a catholic primer!, May 31, 2000

By	Mary Benton "pbentons" (st paul, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

this book is essential for the NEW catholic, the catholic brought up in the "anything goes" period of the 60's and 70's, or the catholic who would just like to expand their knowledge of the faith. Very easy format, and flows beautifully. Includes just about all of the basics. I bought it because I was bothered by distractions during prayer, but it gave me much more than I had hoped for.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, June 27, 2008

By	E. Villasenor - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book and read a little to my 11 year old every night. He was very touched by it. I highly recommend it. It explains things so thoroughly, and makes you really pay attention to prayer. As a practicing catholic, I really thought I knew these very basic devotions, but you read this and look at the devotions much more deeply and really appreciate them for what they are. You will never pray the Lord's prayer the same way!