Posted on 10/10/2008 8:36:32 AM PDT by NYer
Everybody loves a riddle. See if you can guess what ties these people together based on the MSM coverage:
..”At home I expose my children to all faiths. I put a different book on the stairs leading up to our bedrooms — books on Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and so on. I want them to get a taste of different religions and see how different people approach things and what their motivation is. But, for me, The Omen is not about religion. It’s just another role and it’s been a lot of fun. Besides, my mother never told me not to do roles that involved evil or Satan,” [she] says, laughing.
I’ll wait a few minutes while puzzle out the subtle thread connecting all these quotes. When you figure it out, t’will be a consummation devoutly to be wished.
So: about this word “devout”. What, I wonder, does it mean to the MSM types who sling it around with such abandon? There are certain sorts of people who come to mind when the word “devout” is employed.
The nun who prays and washes the leper with her wrinkled, arthritic hands. The pious Sicilian peasant woman for whom it is second nature to invoke the Virgin when her little bambino skins his knee. The simple Joe who goes to Mass every day he can, spits and swears, but would give a stranger his kidney if he thought it would help give another Joe a break in this crazy world. There’s room under the Big Tent of Devoutness for these sorts of people and a lot more like them.
But is devoutness an infinitely big tent? Is everybody (or at least every Catholic) devout? It would appear so, judging from MSM and blogosphere usage of the term. So, for instance, it turns out Michael Moore is a [1] “devout Catholic” despite the fact that he holds some rather important aspects of the Church’s teaching in contempt and tells absurd lies in order to score political points.
[2] King: What about how he’s handled the Rev. [Jeremiah] Wright thing?
Moore: Jeez, you know, I mean I go to Mass still. I’m a practicing Catholic. I’ve been that way all my life. But if I had — if I had gotten up every time I heard a priest from the pulpit in my travels around the country say things like I’ve heard them say, that birth control is a sin, that women should not be priests, that women should have a different role in church …
King: You’d be walking out all the time?
Moore: I would have been walking out so much — that would have been so much aerobic activity for me… I wouldn’t look like this.
Uh huh. I’ve been an ordinary, non-devout schlub of a Catholic for 20 years. I’ve seen the Church in parishes from Australia to Dublin and from Boston to Houston to British Columbia. I have never heard from this phalanx of priests who are constantly going on about birth control and women’s ordination in the pulpits across America. And that’s just the start of things I seldom hear priests offending their congregation with. In fact, rare indeed is the homily that offends anybody with gospel offense (offenses to intelligence, taste, sound theology and the dignity of both priest and parishioner are another matter). But apparently, telling bald-faced lies about such things does not affect Moore’s status as “devout”, because the Big Tent of Devoutness covers all.
Therefore, [3] Mia Farrow is a “devout Catholic.” Why? Because she’s Catholic. [4] James Carroll, who has made an entire career of bashing the Church as the author of the Holocaust and demanding she recant her most fundamental beliefs about Christ? He’s a “devout Catholic” too. [5] Andy Warhol? Devout, cuz he went to Mass each week. [6] Garry Wills? Devout, despite his tireless complaining about the Church’s failure to convert and agree with him and God. [7] Nancy Pelosi? Devout and fanatically pro-abortion. [8] Kevin Smith? Devout and casually blasphemous. [9] Jenna Jameson? How could a porn star not be devout? Even [10] Hitler and [11] Himmler were devout.
In short, “devout” appears to be, not so much a “word” exactly, as a sort of acoustical cue. It’s the sonic cue you put before “Catholic”. Its meaning depends, as in Chinese, not merely on the phonemes that comprise it, but upon the tone and inflection with which it is said. Used in one way “devout” is a term of approval which aims to persuade the audience of the Devout Person’s bona fides.
So, for instance, if you are a reporter and your subject is a movie star or an artist and they go to Mass once a week or so, they’re “devout”. It adds color to that People Profile for journalists who ask breathy questions about spirituality.
“Devoutness” is useful, not just for People profilers, but for more muscular endeavors of social and political change.
If you are an unbelieving press agent or the sort of Catholic who doesn’t let this religion crap get in the way of what you really want and you are trying to coax a vote out of somebody or get them to approve of something that is pretty plainly dodgy, you can use the word “devout” to describe yourself or the person who is advocating the dodgy stuff.
“Yes, Jenna Jameson’s work in XXX films is controversial, but she is a devout Catholic.” Message: Only a Pharisee could express skepticism about the term “devout” here or state the fact that Jesus never said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin some more!”.
Similarly, if you are a politician whose devotion to the sacrament of abortion is so extreme that you cannot even muster the gumption to oppose sticking scissors in a newborn’s brain, all you need do is have yourself photographed [12] wearing ashes and follow it up with stern blaring about the Primacy of Conscience. Say something like “[13] My oath privately between me and God was defined in the Catholic church by Pius XXIII and Pope Paul VI in the Vatican II!” That way, you can equate doing whatever the hell you like with fidelity to the Tradition! You’re devout!
If you are not Catholic, and you are trying to sell yourself to Catholics, simply describe as “devout” any supporter of yours who is a carbon-based life form with a pulse that shows up in Mass now and then because, well, that’s the AP style manual term for “Catholics who have been to Mass sometime in the past couple of years who support abortion, gay marriage, and like to talk about being green.”
Of course, there is also (using the right tone of voice and emphasis) the sinister meaning of “devout” too. The [14] top Nazis were “devout Catholics” we are assured by some of the more zealous New Atheists. “Devout Catholics” are the ones who go for Inquisitions, witch burnings, and psychic trauma that makes women have cramps (according to the [15] Number One Selling Book in the Universe at the time of this writing). “Devout” people, when the word is spoken in that tone of voice are not warm, diversity-affirming, leftish people who recycle, listen to NPR, support the library, give to Planned Parenthood and live in the sure and certain hope of the Third Vatican Council. Spoken in that tone of voice, “devout” means narrow, bitter, angry, frightened, dogmatic, cocksure, suffused with the deepest wish to suppress all joy, impose thought control, end freedom, and smash all curiosity, pleasure, liberty, and hope.
All this leaves me rather baffled. I recognize that words can be polyvalent. I even recognize that a word can, now and then, have two completely opposite meanings (as when we cleave a thing in two and the two halves cleave together).
But I can’t help having the sensation that this is not what’s happening with the word “devout”. It’s not a word so much used by Catholics as about them. Indeed, the paradox of the word is that those who use it to describe themselves are almost invariably either rotters, [16] former Catholics or both. There’s something strange about a person who announces “I am devout!” just as there is something either creepy and laughable about a person who announces (in a serious, not flippant manner) “I am humble!” It’s like the Tibetan Buddhist in the Onion article shouting like Muhummad Ali, “[17] I am the greatest monk of all time!” Really devout people are too busy living life to go around reminding everybody they are “devout”.
Which, of course, is why (though some will undoubtedly try), none of this column is intended to (nor can) be construed as making any claims about the state of the souls of any of the various folks mentioned above. I can’t judge their souls. I can only judge their words and actions, as our Lord says to do when he bids us to [18] judge trees by their fruit. When I do that I find that I must revise the MSM definition of “devout” to a concept so vague that it means nothing whatever. That fault lies, not with the various people mentioned above (none of whom have the impudence to call themselves “devout”) but with the cliche-ridden minds of American journalists whom no mortal power can restrain from sticking the acoustic stimulus “devout” in front of “Catholic”, any more than they can hold back their indomitable urge to speak of [19] Vatican crackdowns and [20] plunging busses.
Mark Shea nails it.
Of all of the gods that the greeks and romans worshiped in antiquity, none of them had the trait of humility.
Examine your conscience, go to confession, make a good confession, and experience humility.
You and Mark Shea have both nailed it.
And these ‘devout’ Catholics are the ones who make it so difficult for those of us who try as best as possible to follow what the Church teaches - why so many Christians believe we aren’t Christians.
*sighs*
Wolf in sheep’s clothing. Sin is still sin, and Jesus Christ knows the difference between devout obedience and devoid disobedience.
What a funny article! I have no where near the knowledge about these things that any of you have but I’ve been witnessing a bit of this stuff, too. My first realization about this has been Nancy Pelosi. How shocked and offended I was by her remarks! She blew my little beginning Catholic mind.
It’s difficult to believe that Michael Moore is Catholic. And from that statement, he seems to say, “Michael Moore is perfect and okay but the Church is wrong and irrelevant.” He really does lie to himself about a lot of things.
Spot-on! Though he left out the “formerly devout” Madonna. Or, in the MSM’s eyes, can she actually remain a “devout Catholic” while being a Kabbalist at the same time?
Why the heck not? If it serves their cause, they’ll do it.
I know lots of ‘devout’ Catholics like the ones mentioned in Shea’s article. Their example is what kept me from converting to Catholicism for so long.
I have to leave for a few hours but I was wondering if anyone here has done a Novena? I would like to try to do one and could use some pointers. Also, I want to try fasting with prayer for a deep emotional, religious experience. Not just cutting back on my meals but if that is what it takes to have a more transforming event then that would work too.
I live near the CC Cathedral and have done a little of the rosary inside and have done a rosary with two other women (very rewarding). Is it better to have a particular setting or retreat to be in? Should I be alone for the time of it?
I would appreciate any pointers. I’ve read a little about it but nothing beats the voice of experience from real people of faith like yourselves.
I have to leave for a few hours but I will answer when I come back.
A newbie Catholic here, but I can share my experiences for what they're worth.
The great thing about the Rosary is you can say it anywhere, alone or with friends or family. I do pray the Rosary when I'm in church waiting for Mass to begin, or at Eucharistic Adoration, but most often I say the Rosary while driving to work. Atlanta traffic is notoriously hideous, I find praying very calming, and it's SO much better use of my time than beating on the dashboard or cussing other drivers!
I'm saying a Novena right now for a friend who is going to undergo an operation soon, and I pray at night before I go to bed. Saying it at the same time every night means that I don't forget! But there wouldn't be any reason that you couldn't set aside a quiet corner in your house, somewhere pretty and peaceful (like on a porch or deck overlooking a garden, or a comfortable chair).
One tiny piece of advice -- it's not mine but C.S. Lewis's -- you can't go into prayer with the goal of a "deep emotional religious experience". That's mistaking a byproduct for the real thing. The purposes of prayer have to do with God, not us (the mnemonic most folk learn is "ACTS" - Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). IF you get the emotional experience, so much the better, but that is a kindness from God to encourage us(a very devout man on FR calls this "lollipops"). Our duty is to pray wholeheartedly and regularly, even when things seem a bit arid or uneventful, and our goal should be to communicate with God, not hunt for feelings that we experience, because the more we look for them the more they will flee from us. Lewis talks about the time that a young boy who has been enchanted with stories of the Odyssey and the Greek gods has to settle down to actually learning Greek . . . . he can give up and go back to trying to capture by force the feeling he remembered when he first heard the stories, or he can plow through the tough bits and then he will have something even better.
I have done several novenas over the years both personal and parish. I particulary enjoy the Novena to the Holy Spirit for the 7 Gifts. St. Ann is the patroness of our parish and we say her novena, annually. Our bishop insists that all the parishes celebrate the Christmas Novena.
I live near the CC Cathedral and have done a little of the rosary inside and have done a rosary with two other women (very rewarding). Is it better to have a particular setting or retreat to be in? Should I be alone for the time of it?
I would appreciate any pointers. I’ve read a little about it but nothing beats the voice of experience from real people of faith like yourselves.
These are good questions. There are various forms of prayer including vocal and contemplative. This is what Jesus said about prayer:
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
Matthew 6:6
This is a good way to begin prayer. At home each morning, I pray the Maronite Divine Office. The prayers actually begin in the evening but there are too many distractions in the evening so I have yet to discipline myself to do both. Both evening and morning prayers include psalms, an examination of conscience (night), and readings from Scripture. Before beginning any prayers, it is important to remove distractions - radio, tv, etc. I pray the rosary at night when I go to bed. Each decade is devoted to a different intention.
As for fasting, the Eastern Churches are the most disciplined. Here are the guidelines established for the Maronite Church (though I have yet to meet anyone who follows them completely).
The practise of fast and abstinence was regulated by the MARONITE synod of 1736Fast: eating and drinking forbidden until midday Abstinence: abstaining from eating all meat, oil, wine and animal products (eggs, milk, cheese etc.)
1. Great Lent from Quinquagesima to Easter abstinence every day; fasting every day except on Sundays and Saturdays (with the exception of Holy Saturday)
2. Apostles Lent abstinence four days 25th - 28th June
3. Assumption Lent abstinence eight days 7th - 14th August
4. Christmas Lent abstinence twelve days 13th - 24th December
5. Abstinence every Wednesday and Friday except: from Christmas to Epiphany, the Friday before Great Lent, from Easter to Pentecost, June 24th and 29th; August 6th and 15th
Advent will soon be here. That is a a 'lenten' season of fast and abstinence. You may want to explore the practices of other Catholic churches and formulate a plan to follow during Advent. Self-denial is pleasing to God but, as our Lord also reminds us,
"When you fast, 12 do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
Matthew 6:16-18
I hope this is helpful to you. May our Lord bless and reward your sincerity of faith.
When it comes to where one prays, there is no right or wrong place. In fact, we should all pray always anywhere. I say a Rosary when I walk to the Metro station or just out on a walk. I've said them on planes, buses, in church, in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic, etc. Novenas - you just have to make yourself do it. The more you do it, the more meaningful it will become. Prayer is very personal and should be done in a way and place where you can concentrate.
How to pray? From the heart, of course, but always as a servant of God. Over the course of my journey, I've found that truly humbling oneself and asking to do God's will, that His will be revealed and if it be His will XYZ has brought forth much fruit.
Always pray, but take a little on at a time. Prayer is one of those exercises that we all get better at the more we do it. I would, for now, pick one devotion and concentrate on it in addition to whatever daily prayers you say and build on that as you get more comfortable.
You'll do just fine and, again, welcome home.
BWA HAHAHAHAHAHA
Any prayers before the blessed sacrament.
I’ve found the Rosary on You tube of all places.
They have the mysteries along with images to help you hold your focus on them while you pray.
Pretty vivid and intense to watch the images from “The Passion” for the Sorrowful Mysteries. Some are better than others but there is a selection for all 4 Mysteries.
Thank you all very much. You have lots of good suggestions. I would tell you that I began a Novena today, but I have to stay in the closet. Ha ha.
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