United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Chapter 22. Sacramentals and Popular Devotions • 299

FROM THE CATECHISM

1. What are sacramentals? Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church. These are sacred signs that bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, especially of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. (CCC, no. 1667) 2. What is the first among the sacramentals? Among sacramentals, blessings (of persons, meals, objects, and places) come first. Every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts. In Christ, Christians are blessed by God the Father “with every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3). This is why the Church imparts blessings by invoking the name of Jesus, usually while making the holy sign of the cross of Christ. (CCC, no. 1671) 3. What is the relationship of popular piety to the liturgy? These expressions of piety extend the liturgical life of the Church but do not replace it. They “should be so drawn up that they harmonize with the liturgical seasons, accord with the sacred liturgy, are in some way derived from it and lead the people to it, since in fact the liturgy by its very nature is superior to any of them.” (CCC, no. 1675, cit ing SC, no. 13, §3)

Temple. The Sorrowful Mysteries, which focus on Christ’s suffering and death, are the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. The Glorious Mysteries are the Resurrection, the Ascension into Heaven, the Sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost, the Assumption of Mary, and the Crowning of Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. In October of 2002, St. John Paul II issued the apostolic letter On the Most Holy Rosary ( Rosarium Virginis