"...such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross, religious dances, the rosary, medals, etc." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1674)
Popular piety, personal piety, popular devotion, pious practice or pious exercise is external piety and devotion. It includes "the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross, religious dances, the rosary, medals, etc." Pious practices come from and are bound up with the Eucharist. They cannot equal, replace or substitute the Liturgy. They are not a priority in the Christian life, not necessary for salvation, and not an obligation. Sunday is not a popular piety, and popular pieties which have Sunday as their reference point are not to be encouraged. Throughout the Catholic Church's life, some private revelations have promoted old devotions or created new devotions in order to help Catholics live by Revelation. (For information on common misconceptions about popular piety, please see Common Misconceptions)
Catechesis[]
Evangelization[]
Liturgical Year[]
Sunday[]
In Advent[]
The Advent Rosary[]
Processions in Advent[]
The Winter Quartertense[]
The Blessed Virgin Mary in Advent[]
The Christmas Novena[]
The Crib[]
Popular Piety and the Spirit of Advent[]
In Christmastide[]
The Vigil of Christmas[]
The Feast of the Holy Family[]
The Feast of the Holy Innocents[]
The 31st of December[]
The Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God[]
The Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany[]
The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord[]
The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord[]
In Lent[]
Veneration of Christ crucified[]
Reading the Lord's Passion[]
The Stations of the Cross[]
The Via Matris[]
Holy Week[]
Palm Sunday[]
Palms, Olive Branches or Branches from other Trees[]
The Easter Triduum[]
Holy Thursday[]
Visit to the Altar of Repose
Good Friday[]
The Good Friday Procession
Representations of the Passion of Christ
The Memorial of Our Lady of Dolors
Holy Saturday[]
The "Ora della Madre"