Devotions may be looked upon as a kind of "applied spirituality," a putting into practice of the particular spiritual way of life that we embrace. They are prayer in action. Hence, there are a multitude of different devotions in the Church each suited to varying tastes of the faithful.

The Church encourages her people to make use of devotions. She knows that devotions that have her approval will lead people to closer union with God and impart a deeper spiritual life, either through their particular practice or through the persons invoked in them - one of the Persons of the Trinity, Mary, or the Saints.