“When a great multitude is making a pilgrimage, I should never advise him to do so, for as a rule people return on these occasions in a state of greater distraction than when they went. And many set out and make these pilgrimages for recreation rather than devotion.” CatholicPilgrimageAscentCarmelite Book:The Complete Works of Saint John of the Cross, of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Source: The Complete Works of Saint John of the Cross, of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
“They place more reliance upon methods and kinds of ceremony than upon the reality of their prayer, and herein they greatly offend and displease God. I refer, for example, to a Mass which is said with so many candles, neither more nor fewer; which is said by a priest in such and such a way; and must be at such and such an hour, neither sooner nor later; and the prayers and stations must be made at such time and with such ceremonies and in no other manner; and the person who makes them must have such qualities or qualifications. And there are those who think that if any of these details which they have laid down be wanting, nothing is accomplished. What is worse, and indeed intolerable, is that certain persons desire to feel some effect in themselves, or to have petitions fulfilled, or to know that the purpose of these ceremonious prayers of theirs will be accomplished. This is nothing less than to tempt God and to offend Him greatly, so much so that He sometimes gives leave for the devil to deceive them.” CatholicAttachmentAscentLegalismCarmelite Book:The Complete Works of Saint John of the Cross, of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Source: The Complete Works of Saint John of the Cross, of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel