Tell me about Catholicism

[coy_one]

I have been asked to go to Mass with a friend. Other than studying the art in Cathedrals, and a bit of a round about stab at theology, I know nothing about the Catholic religion.

I know that several people here have discussed it, and I've taken some notes, but I am trying to understand the core belief of this religion. I also want to know what I would see at a service.

Please be as in depth as your time allows. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

 

[EmpressFi]

I wont go into the beliefs or any tenets of the Catholic church as I'm not Catholic. However, the nursing school I attended was managed by The Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent DePaul in Norfolk, VA. We were required to attend mass at least twice and encouraged to go more.

The three or four I've attended there and my sister in law's children's christenings, first communions, confirmations, etc.. I've been to a few and know enough now how to "blend" in.

If the mass you're attending is anything like the ones I've been to, you'll get a program with instructions of when to kneel, when to stand, when to reply with others, etc, and explanations of certain things.

but, just in case, I looked this up

 

[chris9]

Do you want to know mainly about the Catholic Church? Because in my take-on (raised catholic, attended a catholic school, studied the belief there) if you cut it down to its basics, its Christian, not a huge difference to Protestant Christianity. (Yes, I know there are some, especially in the theological side and in the traditions.)
And yes, in theory we have to believe whatever the Pope decides is right. For many Catholics that's not happening for real. For me there's more there than the Pope, more basic, more important.

I know that I've never been to any service where you get a program on when to sit, stand, kneel. Do whatever everybody else does. Though at least around here it's usual for those who are not Catholics to stand when everybody else kneels. I prefer it that way, because what's happening right then, bread and wine changed into body and blood of Christ, is so major.
Right now and in theory I could not tell you what to say and when. Whatever it is comes out right at the correct time without thinking about it. Mumble along if you want to, but it's also ok to stay silent. Again, if you do not believe, it doesn't make sense to pray along with everybody else.
I'm assuming that your friend knows you are not Catholic? So wouldn't be annoyed if you do not get everything 'right', do everything everybody else does?
Going to communion is something that's only for Catholics, so unless you're pretending you are one, it'd be better not to go.

If you have any questions more specific, just ask.

 

[LadyIlsa]

Hello

I was raised Catholic in a typical Italian family. The Church has changed a lot, but is still the same. (That makes sense to Catholics)

Of all the denominations, Catholics have pomp and grandeur down to a science. The participation of the congregation is rote. I have not been to Mass in years and would still know the entire order and even the responses with no problem. The churches are beautiful, the music usually majestic. You will not need a Bible - in fact there probably isn't one in the pew. You will hear passages read to you, the Gospel readings and the readings from the Old Testament usually are on a theme in line with the homily (sermon). The final event is Communion. After that, many people leave, but there is still the final Benediction and the recessional. The Hymns and the readings will all be listed in the bulletin.

The Catholic Mass ritual goes back to a time when the general population was illiterate and the repetition helped them to learn the Mass. It hasn't changed in centuries. I can remember when the parish my grandparents attended stopped saying High Mass in Latin.

The church has progressed to allow women to do some of the readings, be "Eucharist Ministers" (They can give Communion) and some altar girls.

I hope this answered some questions for you. If you were raised Protestant, I'm sure you've heard all kinds of stories. Most are false, but some are true. The rituals are what teach the young ones and keep the old ones faithful. But even for us 'Former Catholics" there is still a pull. We were 'indoctrinated' with Dogma and repetition. It's like learning a language - you never forget.

Anyway - go, enjoy, it really is quite interesting if you see the theater in it all. Oh, and you may learn something too.

 

[chris9]

If the priest is good, the sermon can really make you think, no matter your beliefs. On the other hand, some bad ones have made me seriously doubt my blief.

And I agree. The repetition is very important. It HAS to be always the same, there's a peace in it, a structure, that for me is very important. It's also great, because it's the same all over the world. The words are different, but still it's the same. Helps to feel at home in a foreign place.

Leaving before the final benediction is a very Italian thing though. Everywhere else the huge majority of people stay.

If you're looking for the full-out Catholic experience, go to the Easter mass the night from Saturday to Sunday. It takes about 2 1/2 hours but is just amazing as ritual goes.

 

[LadyIlsa]

I agree that the Easter services are beautiful. I remember one priest when I was about 9 years old described the Crucification during a Good Friday service that gave me nightmares as a child, but was so moving as an adult. The Stations of the Cross is a moving exercise also. And the obvious - Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is just so wonderful.

Leaving early "A very Italian thing". LOL I lived in a mostly Polish neighborhood in Chicago and if we left before the very end, my mother would smack us silly!

I left the Catholic church because, believe it or not, I needed more. The ritual was comforting but didn't feed my soul. But to each their own and as this is not a theological discussion I'll follow my dad's advice: leave religion and politics out of it. Now, Sex. That's a whole different ball of wax!

 

[myinnerslut]

im jewish, not catholic, but i did take comparitive religion for two years. i would recommend looking through a copy of the book "how to be a perfect stranger". its an overview of different religions and thier customs, and was written for situations like this.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Perfect-Stranger-Essential-Religious/dp/1893361675

 

[chris9]

I agree that the Easter services are beautiful. I remember one priest when I was about 9 years old described the Crucification during a Good Friday service that gave me nightmares as a child, but was so moving as an adult. The Stations of the Cross is a moving exercise also. And the obvious - Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is just so wonderful.

Leaving early "A very Italian thing". LOL I lived in a mostly Polish neighborhood in Chicago and if we left before the very end, my mother would smack us silly!

I left the Catholic church because, believe it or not, I needed more. The ritual was comforting but didn't feed my soul. But to each their own and as this is not a theological discussion I'll follow my dad's advice: leave religion and politics out of it. Now, Sex. That's a whole different ball of wax!

Neither in any church I ever attended in Germany nor in the one I went to in the US did anybody leave early. Arriving in Italy, people come and go whenever they wish, but most right after communion.

 

[LadyIlsa]

Neither in any church I ever attended in Germany nor in the one I went to in the US did anybody leave early. Arriving in Italy, people come and go whenever they wish, but most right after communion.

Haven't been to Italy (and I really hope to go someday), but I'm actually surprised. I had seen it so much when I was a kid, I just assumed it was an American habit. Strange, huh?

 

[LittleJade]

I'll add to this thread once I get home from work.

I grew up a dyed-in-the-wool Catholic. I taught Sunday school, I worked for the church, was a youth minister, and learned the history of it all, too. I believed ALL of it.

And then I left.

 

[WriterDom]

I know if you have been baptized as a Christian and want to be Catholic you first have to confess all your sins. That might be a long conversation.

 

[Kajira Callista]

I have been asked to go to Mass with a friend. Other than studying the art in Cathedrals, and a bit of a round about stab at theology, I know nothing about the Catholic religion.

I know that several people here have discussed it, and I've taken some notes, but I am trying to understand the core belief of this religion. I also want to know what I would see at a service.

Please be as in depth as your time allows. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

your CTV station should have mass on it along with a lot of other info. If there is soemthing specific you want to know you can PM me, I learned long ago that posting religious beliefes here...or any beliefes for that matter, is not a good thing to do.

 

[BiaTcHiNFiRe]

I know if you have been baptized as a Christian and want to be Catholic you first have to confess all your sins. That might be a long conversation.

It would he he. Some priests might be shocked!!
*looks inocent*

Thats why I prefer confess my sins right to God, much better and I dont have to explain to anyone why I did this or that LOL.

 

[Homburg]

I know if you have been baptized as a Christian and want to be Catholic you first have to confess all your sins. That might be a long conversation.

Three months later the confession would still be ending with "See you tomorrow, padre. Got a few more"

 

[BiaTcHiNFiRe]

Three months later the confession would still be ending with "See you tomorrow, padre. Got a few more"

rofl

 

[EmpressFi]

I just keep thinking of the scene in "A League of Their Own" when Madonna's character is in confession and the others are waiting and suddenly you hear the "thud" of the Bible hitting the floor and the priest watching her after she leaves.

 

[coy_one]

Three months later the confession would still be ending with "See you tomorrow, padre. Got a few more"

That sounds about right. ROTFL

 

[ShyGuy68]

I don't really have anything to add, except this line from one of my favorite movies, Dogma:

Catholicism wow

 

[DVS]

...If you're looking for the full-out Catholic experience, go to the Easter mass the night from Saturday to Sunday. It takes about 2 1/2 hours but is just amazing as ritual goes.

I was going to say just about the same thing. I'm not Catholic, but my mother's side of the family is. All weddings and funerals are Catholic. I went to one Easter mass with my mother and sisters, when I was a young. I was almost too young to really understand it, though. It is involved and long, but I think it's well worth it. It's really cool, if you go to a Cathedral, where the organ is massive. I love those deep, deep organ tones.

I had two friends who grew up Catholic. They even went to Catholic grade school, before public high school. That was quite a culture shock for them, I'm sure. Their whole family was very much into the Catholic way. Their aunt was a nun. And, they were given the names Joesph and Mary Rose.

Today, things are very different. Although the daughter has since died, she hated the name Mary Rose. She changed it, once she was out of the house and on her own, and Joseph goes my his middle name, now. Some people just don't get along with the Catholic religion, or religion in general.

 

[serijules]

I'm allegedly catholic....as in my grandma won't hear of me being anything else. So I lie to her and let her think I am.

I remember when I was a child (catholic schools) and we went to confession every Wed. I used to make up "sins" because I couldn't think of any of my own.

That about sums up my feelings for the catholic religion to this day, heh. Although I still love watching choirs sing gospel and find churches to be beautiful places.

It's fascinating to study, but in my opinion, it's a horrible way to live. :/

 

[YourCaptor]

I have gone to a few ceremonies, prepare to stand, and bowl, and kneel and all sorts of stuff. Do whatever you are comfortable with.

They try to convert people, apparently Jesus told them too. So don’t start any religious discussions until you managed to escape the mob, no mater how odd what they say seem.

They build beautiful churches, the old school once I mean, great echoes in there and lots of stuff to look at. Every time I enter one this sense of power lingers in the air, its really cool. It’s an experience, especially if they have a good pipe organ.

If you respect their thing and don’t do the ‘I stand out, in your face’ thing you should have fun.

Enjoy

 

[Blushing Bottom]

Easy...feel guily about anything which feels good other than worship of the church and it's beliefs and you were most likely raised to be Catholic.

 

[Betticus]

I have been asked to go to Mass with a friend. Other than studying the art in Cathedrals, and a bit of a round about stab at theology, I know nothing about the Catholic religion.

I know that several people here have discussed it, and I've taken some notes, but I am trying to understand the core belief of this religion. I also want to know what I would see at a service.

Please be as in depth as your time allows. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

If you are a masochist you might enjoy it. Catholic church is like S&M but you don't get a safeword.

 

[chauderlos]

They try to convert people, apparently Jesus told them too. So don’t start any religious discussions until you managed to escape the mob, no mater how odd what they say seem.

Indeed: see Matthew 28:19-20. But form what I see around me, the Church is more on more trying to understand and to accept people than trying to convert them by force.

Easy...feel guily about anything which feels good other than worship of the church and it's beliefs and you were most likely raised to be Catholic.

This applies to Protestantism as well.

As for the core of Catholicism, I think it's well summed up in the Credo; which by the way is common to most of the Christian churches:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic* Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
(* Catholic is of course changed into "universal" for non-Catholic churches).

I was raised a Lutheran, converted to Catholicism when I married my wife (note to self: who else could you have married???), and I feel comfortable there. As others have said, the pomp, the rituals, the moment of calm I feel when attending Mass provides, make me feel good and gives me fuel for the week to come.
I well aware that some of my personal beliefs (believes?) are in contradiction with the "official" teachings of the Holy See, be it same-sex marriage, sex outside marriage, condoms... But then, one shall live with his contradictions.

 

[Homburg]

But then, one shall live with his contradictions.

Bravo. Best single piece of information here.