QUESTION : What is the difference between Tradition and traditions? How does the understanding of their differences affect Liturgy and Devotional Life and Practices? – Mijo Johnson
ANSWER: Jacob Parappally MSFS
The use of proper terminology, as well as a correct understanding of its meaning, is absolutely essential for healthy communication among people. Even among those who speak the same language, certain misunderstandings and consequent conflicts can occur if what is communicated is not properly understood. In the history of the world and the Church, we have instances of misunderstandings and misinterpretations of terminology leading to conflict, discord, and division. The great schisms in the Church, especially the division into East and West in 1054, and later in the Western Church with the rise of Protestantism after the Reformation, were primarily caused by a lack of understanding of theological terminology. In particular, the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther was based on a misunderstanding regarding the difference between Tradition and traditions. He protested against traditions that led the faithful away from God’s word and the following of Christ. Eventually, his followers equated Tradition with traditions. Certainly, there were blatant abuses of traditions before the Reformation, but not of the Tradition that had been handed down by the apostles of Christ to the Church.
What is this Sacred Tradition, written with a capital “T”? It refers to the apostolic faith handed over (Latin tradere, meaning “to hand over”) by the early apostles to the Church—through their preaching, the example of lives lived in faith, and their writings, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.
The terms Tradition and traditions, though often used interchangeably in everyday language, carry significantly different meanings in theological discourse, particularly within the context of the Catholic Church. Recognizing and respecting this distinction is essential for a proper understanding of the Church’s teaching authority, liturgical life, and devotional practices. Moreover, it is vital to address the tendency among some believers to conflate liturgical or devotional customs with apostolic Tradition, thereby regarding all inherited practices as immutable and beyond legitimate development.
Theological Distinction: Tradition and traditions
When the Protestant Reformation raised the slogan sola scriptura, (Scripture alone), the Council of Trent emphasized that Tradition is also a mode of transmitting the apostolic faith. Just before Vatican II, the theological understanding was that there is one deposit of faith transmitted through two complementary modes: Scripture and Tradition. Finally, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, states: “Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church” (DV 9). It further affirms, “Hence there exists a close connection and communication between sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture. For both of them, flowing from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend toward the same end” (DV 9).
Various ecclesial customs, liturgical expressions, devotional practices, and disciplines fall into the category of traditions. These traditions have developed over time in particular ecclesial communities and at different historical moments. However, they do not carry the same theological weight as apostolic Tradition.
What is this Sacred Tradition, written with a capital “T”? It refers to the apostolic faith handed over (Latin tradere, meaning “to hand over”) by the early apostles to the Church—through their preaching, the example of lives lived in faith, and their writings, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. This was believed, lived, and confessed by the early Church. Sacred Tradition contains the essential truths of our Christian faith and doctrine, such as belief in the Triune God, the divinity of Christ, the reality of the Resurrection, the Sacraments, salvation through Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the teaching authority, or Magisterium, of the Church. This Sacred Tradition is not static, but dynamic: it is a living Tradition, continually interpreted and safeguarded by the Magisterium, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Scripture contains the articulation of the true faith in written form; Tradition contains the oral and lived transmission of the same faith. What is contained in Tradition is also essential for authentic Christian life and, as such, is non-negotiable and universal. It cannot be changed or discarded, for it contains the truth revealed by God for the salvation of all people.
Various ecclesial customs, liturgical expressions, devotional practices, and disciplines fall into the category of traditions. These traditions have developed over time in particular ecclesial communities and at different historical moments. They have emerged in ways attuned to the apostolic faith, but expressed through the lens of specific cultures, languages, and the spiritual sensibilities of the People of God in those contexts. These traditions are beautiful, venerable, and spiritually enriching for the people who practice them. However, they do not carry the same theological weight as apostolic Tradition. The manner or rite in which the Eucharist is celebrated, the type of vestments used for liturgical or para-liturgical celebrations, specific forms of Eucharistic adoration, the celebration of Holy Week, the Rosary, Novenas, and so on are examples of traditions.
The Church must not fear legitimate development, and the faithful must not confuse custom with doctrine. Our faith should acknowledge the beauty and value of long-standing traditions, while also trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. True fidelity to the Church lies not in preserving every detail of past traditions, but in loving obedience to the living Church, rooted in apostolic Tradition and responsive to the needs of our time. Drawing inspiration from her sacred Tradition, the Church must walk the path of renewal and reform, adapting her traditions with discernment and pastoral wisdom.
Such traditions are important because they serve as vehicles for embodying the faith received from the apostles. They are helpful for inculturating the Gospel and deepening the spiritual lives of the faithful. These traditions can be developed, adapted, or even set aside depending on pastoral needs, cultural shifts, or deeper theological reflection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clarifies this distinction: “In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified, or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church’s Magisterium” (CCC 83). Those who find security in holding traditions to be immutable may not be open to the Spirit of God, who continually renews all things. In fact, flexibility in modifying or even abandoning certain traditions, when they no longer serve to promote or deepen Christian faith, ensures that the Church remains docile and responsive to the Holy Spirit, rather than becoming a static institution fossilized in time.
The Problem of Conflating Tradition with traditions
One of the errors made by those with a strong attachment to traditional liturgical or devotional forms is the tendency to conflate traditions with Tradition. This has serious consequences for the life of the faithful, as it leads to confusion. Such confusion can result in the belief that even minor changes to long-standing liturgical or devotional practices amount to a betrayal of the apostolic faith. This position, and the stubborn adherence to it, arises not only from a misunderstanding of the nature of Sacred Tradition, but also from the risk of elevating ecclesiastical customs and practices to the level of divine revelation.
Those who find security in holding traditions to be immutable may not be open to the Spirit of God, who continually renews all things. In fact, flexibility in modifying or even abandoning certain traditions, when they no longer serve to promote or deepen Christian faith, ensures that the Church remains docile and responsive to the Holy Spirit, rather than becoming a static institution fossilized in time.
Conflating Tradition with traditions is dangerous, as it hinders the growth and development of Christian life and impedes the mission of evangelization. It prevents the seeds of the Gospel from taking root in diverse cultures and languages, and obstructs the emergence of authentic expressions of worship shaped by the Christian faith within particular contexts. Pope Benedict XVI recognized this issue. While he appreciated the richness and beauty of the Church’s liturgical heritage, he emphasized the need to distinguish between what is essential to the Christian faith and what belongs to its historical and cultural expressions. In other words, one must not confuse traditions with Tradition. Traditions are negotiable and open to change, particularly when symbols and gestures in worship lose their original meaning due to socio-cultural shifts. Tradition, however, is non-negotiable, for it is rooted in divine revelation.
Continuity and Change in the Church
The Church, while remaining faithful in preserving and handing on the apostolic faith, and safeguarding the essential truths of that faith, must also remain open to organic development as a living organism. This is especially true of liturgical and devotional life. For example, the shift in liturgical language at the Second Vatican Council, from Latin or Syriac to regional languages, was not a rupture in Tradition, but a pastoral adaptation to make the liturgy more intelligible to the faithful and to encourage fuller participation. Some still argue that celebrating the liturgy in languages not understood by the faithful enhances mystery and evokes deeper devotion. This has led some in our time to celebrate the Eucharist in foreign languages. Yet true worship must come from the heart of a person who understands what is being celebrated and can express his or her faith fully. The language, symbols, and gestures used in the liturgy should foster heartfelt participation and deepen communion with God, revealed in Jesus Christ, whom we worship in Spirit and in truth.
Conflating Tradition with traditions is dangerous, as it hinders the growth and development of Christian life and impedes the mission of evangelization. It prevents the seeds of the Gospel from taking root in diverse cultures and languages, and obstructs the emergence of authentic expressions of worship shaped by the Christian faith within particular contexts.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) of the Second Vatican Council made this point clearly, calling for “noble simplicity” (SC 34), greater participation by the laity, and appropriate adaptations to allow local cultures to find authentic expression within the unity of the Church. Pope Francis echoed this vision when he said that true tradition is not the “worship of ashes,” but the “preservation of the fire.” Clinging rigidly to past forms can paradoxically betray the very Tradition meant to be living and life-giving.
The evolution of certain devotional practices, and the emergence of new ones, shows how the Spirit of God remains active in the Church, drawing the faithful to experience God anew. A good example is the Divine Mercy chaplet, which emerged in response to contemporary spiritual needs in a world marked by growing individualism and diminished human connection.
Embrace the Living Tradition, Acknowledge traditions
We must remain aware of the distinction between Tradition and traditions. While wholeheartedly embracing the sacred Tradition of the Church, we must also remain open to traditions. To be faithful to the Tradition of the Church means being faithful to the unchanging truth of the Gospel and the faith lived and celebrated in the apostolic Church. Fidelity to the Holy Spirit requires us to recognize that this unchanging truth can be expressed in a variety of cultural, liturgical, and devotional forms. This does not mean that “anything goes.” The Magisterium and the People of God must discern what should be modified, adapted, or even set aside in traditional practices according to the needs of the faithful, so as to deepen their faith, intensify their experience of Christ, increase their holiness, and empower them to proclaim the Gospel more effectively in their life contexts.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) of the Second Vatican Council made this point clearly, calling for “noble simplicity” (SC 34), greater participation by the laity, and appropriate adaptations to allow local cultures to find authentic expression within the unity of the Church. Pope Francis echoed this vision when he said that true tradition is not the “worship of ashes,” but the “preservation of the fire.” Clinging rigidly to past forms can paradoxically betray the very Tradition meant to be living and life-giving.
The Church must not fear legitimate development, and the faithful must not confuse custom with doctrine. Our faith should acknowledge the beauty and value of long-standing traditions, while also trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. True fidelity to the Church lies not in preserving every detail of past traditions, but in loving obedience to the living Church, rooted in apostolic Tradition and responsive to the needs of our time. Drawing inspiration from her sacred Tradition, the Church must walk the path of renewal and reform, adapting her traditions with discernment and pastoral wisdom. When proper discernment is carried out by listening to the Holy Spirit and to the community of believers, with no motive other than the good of the Church and the spread of the Gospel, the Church will fulfill her role as a priestly people, mediating the goodness and compassion of God to the world.
