• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

I don't get it

Denver said:
I think there is a common confusion between worship and veneration. I've heard people in one christian sect slam Catholicism because they say it supports worship of saints and images, when actually it is the veneration (as in the definition someone posted earlier) that is taught: not worship per se.

I'm not defending the practice, but here's how I understood it: for saints, they aren't god, but by being recognized as saints, they have achieved what all other Catholics are trying for. And besides that, though no longer alive, they aren't really completely separated from the 'church': the are part of the 'body', as all Christians (or Catholics, etc) so communicating with them, or venerating them, is sort of like doing that to a venerable person - only more intensely.

I've seen it a bit like those traditions who venerate their elders, and that kind of veneration continues even after their ancestors die. But they don't worship them, as they do their deities.

ETA: And for relics, I suppose it is because they are somehow still connected, or ascended, with the saint? Or at least somehow a strong symbol and reminder of the saint, and so a way to increase a person's faith? I'm not as sure as relics go.
Click to expand...

That's really not that much different than worship of polytheistic gods.

Don't get me wrong. Venerating an idol isn't any sillier than worshipping a crucified and ressurected god. It's hypocritical in the context of the ten commandments and that's all.
 
Relics! Roll up, roll up! Get your relics here!

http://www.motherteresa.org/09_relics/RELICS.htm#8




Relics are classified as 1st Class – a part of the person’s body, for example: blood, hair, or bones; 2nd Class ‑ an article touched by the person or touched directly to part of his or her body; and 3rd Class ‑ something touched indirectly to the person, that is, to a 1st or 2nd Class relic, to the tomb, etc.
Click to expand...

Cue Father Ted episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J2-e6F_JWE
 
Last edited:
I went to a Catholic elementary school. I've mentioned that before. It should come as no surprise that it was on the same bit of land as a Catholic Church. The school playground formed the back yard of the church.

One of the stained glass windows in the church, near the back, had a bit of bone embedded in it. The stained glass design sort of focused around it.

Very tiny fragment. Maybe 1/4" square. Tops.
Set inside a small circle of clear glass.

I remember that when we went on a tour of the church for '1st communion'* we were introduced to this little fact. The corner was dimly lit as it was, and the news of a bone being framed in the window sort of creeped me out. Along with the crucifix featuring a rather bloody white-skinned blue-eyed brown-haired dude at the altar-end of that aisle (never did understand the purpose of kneeling before it). Aa result, I always tried to avoid that corner of the church.

Creepy.


That said, I can well understand having a tangible link to the past. It makes it clear that the person was some storybook character, but actually lived and breathed. I suppose that forms a big part of the Catholic penchant for relics and paintings and depictions.




* Side Note: As I attended the United Church of Canada with my mother at the time, I wasn't allowed to participate in 1st communion. But I had to go through the classes. Same story with confirmation. It sucked being the different kid, and being excluded. Sort of soured me on Catholicism, to be honest. I loved the school, though. Great school, aside from the religiousity and exclusionism from the things that were built up as "most important moments in our lives".
 
LibraryLady said:
Seriously. Mother Teresa's relics are coming to visit Baltimore.



Can anyone tell me what's involved in venerating?
Click to expand...

Piscivore said:
I think it's a lot of standing around looking solemn and pretending for the benefit of everyone else present that the bits are signifigant in some way.
Click to expand...

I think occasionally screaming and fainting are also included.
 
Perhaps it's like venerating Ho Chi Minh. I did that. Very venerable he looked , too.
 
A little off topic, but when I was an altar boy I distinctly remember the Blessing of the Throats, where two candles were put against my throat. And guess what? I didn't have a cold for months.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessing_of_the_Throats

The following blessing is usually given: "Through the intercession of St. Blaise, may God preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil", sometimes followed by "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" as the priest makes the sign of the cross over the recipient.
Click to expand...

As bizarre as catholic beliefs are, this one is right out there.
 
That's what you get when you introduce the bodily remains veneration part of ancestor worship and a pantheon of little gods dressed as saints through the backdoor. *runs and hides*
 
lion king said:
A little off topic, but when I was an altar boy I distinctly remember the Blessing of the Throats, where two candles were put against my throat. And guess what? I didn't have a cold for months.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessing_of_the_Throats



As bizarre as catholic beliefs are, this one is right out there.
Click to expand...

There was a custom in a certain Caribbean town of kissing the statue of the Baby Jesus.
The Rich were permitted to kiss his face. The poor were allowed to kiss only his feet or buttocks.
 
Ok, I admit that stories of the Catholic Saints fascinate me - they are all so wonderfully weird. Most of them would have given me nightmares as a kid.

Good King Wenceslaus has a bunch of churches! I would never have guessed.
Like, I thought he was just a version of Santa Claus. He was murdered on the way to church so they made him a saint. What a violent life.
There are many legends about King Wenceslaus. An old one claims a huge army of knights sleep inside Blaník, a mountain in the Czech Republic. The knights will awake and under the command of St. Wenceslaus and bring aid to the Czech people when they face ultimate danger (see also King in the mountain legends).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wenceslaus_I,_Duke_of_Bohemia
Click to expand...

Completely creepy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom