Ideas in Catholicism: Beliefs and Practices

[TheLightWithin]

@Thomas, you may be the one who could speak to this best.
I have heard this before, that Catholics cannot take communion unless they have gone to confession. But is there more to it?
Does the speaker in this video (a priest) explain it accurately? (5 minute video)
I understand the logic, sort of? What I do not understand is what is it that goes wrong if someone does take communion without proper confession.
He says it profanes it, but does that mean it is disrespectful or that harm is done in terms of either salvation or in terms of upsetting G-d, or something in the heavenly realms, or something else??

 

[TheLightWithin]

Here's another one by the same priest, talking about the use of statuary and icons in Catholic worship.
One of the many critiques my grandparents had about Catholicism was the supposed use of "graven images" or the idea that Catholics were "praying to statues" . I took that at face value but only slightly knew what it meant. I did personally think the statues were mysterious and beautiful.
(Interestingly my grandmother loved statues of angels, cherubs, and... Buddha! I think she just thought they were works of art though)

If I understand correctly, from what I have read and heard, statues and icons in Catholicism have to do with the images being representational of the invisible. I think that is more or less what this priest explains here.

In Orthodox churches, if I understand correctly, they ONLY use Icons (Ikons) due to wanting to avoid graven images all together.

From what I have read elsewhere these are different from idols in the sense that pagan idols at least of the ancient past were thought to be actually occupied by negative or demonic forces or entities against G-d, and were therefore considered dangerous.

I have no real idea as to whether that is also believed about the uses of idols in some Eastern religions, but I would assume so.

In this video of less than 5 minutes, the priest explains the position of the use of statues and iconography in the church.
Does he have it right? Is there more to it?

 

[Thomas]

I have heard this before, that Catholics cannot take communion unless they have gone to confession. But is there more to it?

Basically I'd say contrition is a pre-requisite.

Does the speaker in this video (a priest) explain it accurately? (5 minute video)

Yeah.

What I do not understand is what is it that goes wrong if someone does take communion without proper confession.

It's a bit like asking to be forgiven, when you're not actually sorry for what you've done. It's morally wrong in a social situation, and the same principle applies in a sacred sense.

He says it profanes it, but does that mean it is disrespectful or that harm is done in terms of either salvation or in terms of upsetting G-d, or something in the heavenly realms, or something else??

Profane in the sense or disrespect – I'd say it's an offence against one's own being.

In terms of salvation, well, if you're trying to trick God, then good luck with that one! As for upsetting God, I think He's got a thicker skin than that, as for the eschatological dimension, I'd have to think about it ...

... basically, somewhere in the sense that there is a lie – If you're not contrite, you're repentance is empty and void, you're not kidding anyone, and lies can't stand in the face of truth; lies have no substance, no reality ...

+++

The idea is the communicant approaches and receives the Eucharist without sin, the soul's been 'cleaned' ... but as an old priest once said to me, if you went to confession, and left the confessional and walked straight to the altar and received, I bet a penny to a pound there was a sin involved somewhere along the way.

Of course, it's not as extreme as that, but the point he was making is that we're all sinners, and that's who Christ comes to – if we're perfect, then His presence isn't necessary, is it?

+++

Then again, classically it was confession on Saturday evening, and Mass on Sunday morning – and between sunset Saturday and sunrise Sunday, all manner of nonsense can occur!

 

[Thomas]

One of the many critiques my grandparents had about Catholicism was the supposed use of "graven images" or the idea that Catholics were "praying to statues" . I took that at face value but only slightly knew what it meant. I did personally think the statues were mysterious and beautiful.
(Interestingly my grandmother loved statues of angels, cherubs, and... Buddha! I think she just thought they were works of art though)

Yes, the idea is the statue, the painting, etc., becomes a means by which we can focus. So if I offer prayers to a statue of St Joseph, I'm not praying at the statue, nor do I believe St Joseph inhabits the statue, but rather the statue assists me in focus.

In defence of your grandparents, I do concede that sometimes it's very difficult to see where the devotion is focussed!

If I understand correctly, from what I have read and heard, statues and icons in Catholicism have to do with the images being representational of the invisible. I think that is more or less what this priest explains here.

Yes.

In Orthodox churches, if I understand correctly, they ONLY use Icons (Ikons) due to wanting to avoid graven images all together.

The 'rules' governing the painting of an 'eikon' (I think is the Greek) are quite specific ... eikons are more symbolic, in the sense they do not represent a 'portrait' but signify a theological or spiritual concept. They are not dimensional, unlike Western art, and the background is gold, the signify the Divine Light.

There's more on the topic here.

From what I have read elsewhere these are different from idols in the sense that pagan idols at least of the ancient past were thought to be actually occupied by negative or demonic forces or entities against G-d, and were therefore considered dangerous.

Yes.

I have no real idea as to whether that is also believed about the uses of idols in some Eastern religions, but I would assume so.

There is art and statues of Gods and Buddhas.

In this video of less than 5 minutes, the priest explains the position of the use of statues and iconography in the church.
Does he have it right? Is there more to it?

Art, statues, etc., help focus ...

A Catholic Church will have the 14 Stations of the Cross around the nave, usually small plaques, reliefs or paintings, a more minimalist might be simply a numbered crosses. Each station marks a moment on the via dolorosa, the traditional route Jesus took to the crucifixion, and to pray the stations is to proceed from one to the next, stopping to pray and reflect.

 

[TheLightWithin]

As for upsetting God, I think He's got a thicker skin than that

I would hope so... That's what my husband says too, "God is better than that" in response to hardline fundamentalist rants about offenses to God and God being unable look upon sin and words to that effect. Some sects do make it seem as if God is not thick skinned, as it seems God would by nature have to be at the very least, having so much might and superiority, would not be so easily slighted by us gnats... though we probably are swirling and annoying...

The idea is the communicant approaches and receives the Eucharist without sin, the soul's been 'cleaned' ... but as an old priest once said to me, if you went to confession, and left the confessional and walked straight to the altar and received, I bet a penny to a pound there was a sin involved somewhere along the way

Then again, classically it was confession on Saturday evening, and Mass on Sunday morning – and between sunset Saturday and sunrise Sunday, all manner of nonsense can occur!

THAT I would think so!!!

 

[wil]

if you went to confession, and left the confessional and walked straight to the altar and received, I bet a penny to a pound there was a sin involved somewhere along the way.

I love that! And the contemplation ...

the statue, the painting, etc., becomes a means by which we can focus

I also enjoy how that use compares to how I have seen Hindu Gods and prayers utilized.

 

[TheLightWithin]

I also enjoy how that use compares to how I have seen Hindu Gods and prayers utilized.

Interesting. I do not know much about those practices yet.

 

[wil]

Saints and God's
Prayers and mantras

If ya lose something you pray to st Anthony to help you find your lost thing....WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING.

After a Hindu mom recommended her child recite a mantra for the God of education she says, 'Now that you asked you should study to show devotions

Pray but move your feet.

 

[TheLightWithin]

Saints and God's
Prayers and mantras

If ya lose something you pray to st Anthony to help you find your lost thing....WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING.

After a Hindu mom recommended her child recite a mantra for the God of education she says, 'Now that you asked you should study to show devotions

Pray but move your feet.

In the realm of "God helps those who help themselves"

 

[Nicholas Weeks]

Found a large book that helps clarify Catholic tradition, even for some Catholics?

"The spirit and substance of Catholic life, faith and history by the saints, martyrs, mystics and philosophers of the Church. Twenty centuries of Catholic wisdom, from the writings of the early Fathers to the interpreters of the Faith in our own time."

Wisdom Of Catholicism edited by Anton Pegis

 

[TheLightWithin]

Found a large book that helps clarify Catholic tradition, even for some Catholics?

"The spirit and substance of Catholic life, faith and history by the saints, martyrs, mystics and philosophers of the Church. Twenty centuries of Catholic wisdom, from the writings of the early Fathers to the interpreters of the Faith in our own time."

Wisdom Of Catholicism edited by Anton Pegis

I found ONE copy on Amazon and ordered it.

 

[Nicholas Weeks]

I found ONE copy on Amazon and ordered it.

My pdf is of this one -- Modern Library; Ex-Library edition (January 1, 1955) -- which Amazon also sells.
Hope you enjoy your version!

 

[TheLightWithin]

My pdf is of this one -- Modern Library; Ex-Library edition (January 1, 1955) -- which Amazon also sells.
Hope you enjoy your version!

I didn't know you had a pdf.
The post above doesn't seem to be a link.

 

[Nicholas Weeks]

I didn't know you had a pdf.
The post above doesn't seem to be a link.

Seek and you will find. Also try Library Genesis.

The Wisdom Of The Catholicism : Anton_c_pegis : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

 

[Nicholas Weeks]

Many links to free e-books for Traditional Catholics -- also a Spanish section:

https://www.traditionalcatholic.co

 

[TheLightWithin]

Seek and you will find. Also try Library Genesis.

The Wisdom Of The Catholicism : Anton_c_pegis : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Well my hard copy should be coming soon anyway.

 

[Thomas]

Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, by St John Henry Newman, is interesting in that it charts how his study of the Church led him to convert to Catholicism from a strongly-held Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism.

 

[Thomas]

The Mysteries of Christianity by Matthias Scheeben

"The Mysteries of Christianity, a definitive work in the evolution of Western Catholic thought, continues to inspire and challenge a new generation of Catholics seeking a logically rigorous and heartfelt presentation of the truths of the Catholic faith."

The Secrets of the Christian Way Jean Borella