Ejaculatory prayers (ejaculations) as an expression of christian faith and piety Cover Image

Akty strzeliste jako wyrazy wiary i pobożności chrześcijańskiej
Ejaculatory prayers (ejaculations) as an expression of christian faith and piety

Author(s): Jan Szczych
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Papieskiego Jana Pawła II w Krakowie
Keywords: prayer of aspiration; ejaculatory prayer; pious invocations; piety; devotion; prayer; expression of faith;

Summary/Abstract: Enchiridion indulgentiarum of Vatican treats, among others, of prayers of aspiration (aspirations), commonly called ejaculatory prayers (ejaculations), which are complements to individual indulgences. According to the document, an ejaculatory prayer is usually very short, expressed verbally or as a thought and as such externalizes a Christian’s internal attitude. Among pious invocations, it is possible to distinguish prayers which spontaneously flow from within a believer’s inside and those that have been confirmed by worshippers’ long practice or are customarily acknowledged. A collection of these prayer formulas as well as reflection on their content shows not only a believer’s individual piety but also portrays a praying person’s depth of consciousness of salvational occurrences. Thus, aspirations, whilst preserving their simplicity and expressiveness of significance, become a believer’s undisputed proof of faith and devotion.

  • Issue Year: 33/2014
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 101-111
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish