'The Evangelizing Power Of Popular Piety'

Pope Francis discusses (in his apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel” or “Evangelii Gaudium”) the importance of “the evangelizing power of popular piety” – calling it a “precious treasure in the Catholic Church” (E.G.123).  Popular piety expresses the faith through symbols.  It is a “legitimate way of living the faith, a way of feeling part of the Church and a manner of being missionaries” (E.G. 124).  Some examples of popular piety are “Journeying together to shrines … praying the rosary … a candle lighted in a humble home with a prayer for help from Mary, or in the gaze of tender loved directed to Christ crucified….  These are manifestations of a theological life nourished by the working of the Holy Spirit who has been poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5) (E.G. 124 and 125).  These devotions must ultimately lead us to a greater participation in the Sunday Eucharist. 

There is also a “kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility.  It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people we meet, whether they be our neighbors or complete strangers.  This is the informal preaching which takes place in the middle of conversations, something along the lines of what a missionary does when visiting a home…. Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey” (E.G. 127). 

This preaching must always be “respectful and gentle.” The first step is “personal dialogue, when the other person speaks and shares his or her joys, hopes and concerns for loved ones, or so many heartfelt needs.  Only afterwards is it possible to bring God’s word, perhaps by reading a Bible verse or relating a story, but always keeping in mind the fundamental message:  the personal love of God who became man, who gave himself up for us, who is living and who offers us his salvation and friendship” (E.G. 128).  This message must be “a testimony.”  “At times the message can be presented directly, at times by way of a personal witness or gesture, or in a way which the Holy Spirit may suggest in that particular situation.  … it could always end with a brief prayer related to the concerns which the person may have expressed.  In this way they will have an experience of being listened to and understood; they will know that their particular situation has been placed before God….” (E.G 128).  How many of us dyed-in-the-wool Catholics have the courage to risk this kind of witnessing our faith to others or praying with them?  This may be because we were not encouraged or taught how to do this.

The Holy Father recognizes that “This is always a slow process and at times we can be overly fearful.  But if we allow doubts and fears to dampen our courage, instead of being creative we will remain comfortable and make no progress whatsoever. In this case we will not take an active part in historical processes, but become mere onlookers as the Church gradually stagnates” (E.G. 129).  Who is attracted to a stagnating church?

Pope Francis includes a lengthy section of 26 paragraphs in “The Joy of the Gospel” to preaching – instructing those who hold the preaching office in the Church (bishops, priests and deacons) how to prepare our homilies and become more effective preachers of God’s Word.  This is probably the first time any Pope has written so specifically about preaching.  These paragraphs are worth reading and re-reading by those of us who have the responsibility of preaching the Word of God.