The question came up: Why all the changes in the Church? The Rosary used to be fifteen decades, now it is twenty decades. Why can’t they just leave things alone? The answer boils down to keeping in mind two principles:
- If there is a development of doctrine throughout Church history, there certainly can be a development of devotion. True devotion always follows upon and is in the service of true doctrine.
- Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition have the Magisterium of the Catholic Church as sole custodian and interpreter. Even Heaven, through the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary, waited for the Church to declare the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 beforeshe stated her name “I am the Immaculate Conception” in 1858.
Therefore, the Pope and all bishops in union with him, who make up the Ordinary Magisterium of the Church, can and may contribute to the development of the Rosary and other popular devotions.The Question Came up
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