Adult Catholic Knows Nothing!

[Phemie]

I just learned how to pray the rosary during lent of this year, and I still have to bring a book with me when I do it that shows me what all the mysteries are and whatnot.

I have to admit that I learned to pray the rosary 52 years ago and the mysteries were never part of the deal. I know now that it’s supposed to be a reflection on the life of Christ but it’s not something that we were taught by Mom and Dad or the sisters in school. In school it was mentioned in passing but it was never explained and we never had to learn them.

 

[PJM]

yellowdaisy;5280701:

Hi I hated college, but I’d love to take a course in Catholocism!

Just be very careful where you choose to take a course.Make sure that it is authentically Catholic.

May I suggest you contact:

www.eternallife.com

The course materals are awesome!

 

[Onegin]

I’d highly suggest reading the book entitled This is the Faith: A Complete Explanation of the Catholic Faith by Canon Francis Ripley. It is a very good, orthodox Catholic book that clearly explains the Faith without mincing details:

This Is the Faith covers everything the convert or inquirer needs to know about the Catholic faith, and does so with a thoroughness that is at once completely satisfying, but never trying. Moreover, its approach is always dignified, reverent and commanding of respect. The result is that the reader will garner a true picture of the reasonableness, thoroughness and beauty of the Catholic religion that - with grace - will all but guarantee the assent of his will if he approaches the book with honesty and integrity. This book belongs in every Catholic home. It is unparalleled as a review, as a catch-up course for the poorly informed, or as an introduction to the truth of the Catholic Faith for converts. Great, sadly needed and destined to do great good in our time!

You can purchase it from Amazon here: amazon.com/This-Faith-Complete-Explanation-Catholic/dp/0895556421

Some of the used copies are as cheap as $1.20 and it’s worth every penny, IMO. Otherwise most Catholic book shops will probably stock copies but at the full retail cost.

This is a fantastic book and I’d recommend it to everyone on CAF, not just those who are in need of catechises. Let’s be honset, all of us could use a refresher course.

And if you’re intersted in Church History as well, I would highly recommend Christ the King Lord of History by Dr. Anne Carroll: amazon.com/Christ-King-Lord-History-Catholic-Ancient/dp/0895555034

Here is a fast paced, highly readable and interesting Catholic world history. It clearly illustrates that Christ is the central figure in all of history. Unabashedly proud of our brilliant Catholic heritage, Dr Carroll examines all historical developments from the point of view of the Church and the enhancement or decline of the influence of the Church upon the historical scene. Whereas most secular histories written today give but a grudging acknowledgment to the role of the Catholic Church in forming Western and therefore modern civilization, this book makes the role of Christ and the contribution of His Church unquestionable. A great book for students, parents, history buffs and educators.

 

[PJM]

=Phemie;6940728]I have to admit that I learned to pray the rosary 52 years ago and the mysteries were never part of the deal. I know now that it’s supposed to be a reflection on the life of Christ but it’s not something that we were taught by Mom and Dad or the sisters in school. In school it was mentioned in passing but it was never explained and we never had to learn them.

Dear friend in Christ;

I’m blessed with 12 years of Catholic Education. I’m SHOCKED yo were not taught the Mysteries… Here they are:

The Five Joyful Mysteries
Monday & Saturday

1.The Annunciation: Humility
2.The Visitation: Charity
3.The Birth of Our Lord: Poverty, or detachment from the world
4.The Presentation of Our Lord: Purity of heart, obedience
5.The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple: Piety
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesday & Friday

1.The Agony in the Garden: Contrition for our sins
2.The Scourging at the Pillar: Mortification of our senses
3.The Crowning with Thorns: Interior mortification
4.The Carrying of the Cross: Patience under crosses
5.The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord: That we may die to ourselves
The Five Glorious Mysteries

Wednesday & Sunday

1.The Resurrection: Conversion of heart
2.The Ascension: A desire for heaven
3.The Coming of the Holy Ghost: The Gifts of the Holy Ghost
4.The Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven: Devotion to Mary
5.The Coronation of our Blessed Mother: Eternal happiness

The Five Luminous Mysteries
Thursday

1.The Baptism in the Jordan
2.The Wedding at Cana
3.The Proclamation of the Kingdom
4.The Transfiguration
5.The Institution of the Eucharist

If you need a bit of assistance with the prayers, please let me know.

 

[EnglishTeacher]

I didn’t read all the pages in this thread, so you probably already received plenty of good recommendations. But if no one mentioned this one yet, I recommend The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You, by Michael Dubruiel. amazon.com/How–Book-Mass-Everything-Taught/dp/1592762697/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281637964&sr=1-1
It explains what is going on at Mass, and the Scriptural reasons for everything done there.

I second the recommendations of Catholicism for Dummies.

And one more book that is excellent is Peter Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity. It’s very scholarly and well-written, and yet easy to read. amazon.com/Catholic-Christianity-Complete-Catechism-Beliefs/dp/0898707986/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281638233&sr=1-1

 

[jmcrae]

I have to admit that I learned to pray the rosary 52 years ago and the mysteries were never part of the deal. I know now that it’s supposed to be a reflection on the life of Christ but it’s not something that we were taught by Mom and Dad or the sisters in school. In school it was mentioned in passing but it was never explained and we never had to learn them.

Yes, I had a Catechist working with me one time who was of the opinion that learning the mysteries of the Rosary would just make it too complicated for the children. We talked about it, and I mentioned my opinion that the Rosary isn’t all that meaningful, without the Mysteries, since at that point it simply becomes the repetition of a lot of prayers, for no apparent reason.

She saw my point of view, and after that, she started teaching the kids about the Mysteries, as well - but the first two years of kids never learned that, and probably to this day have no idea what the Rosary is supposed to be about.

 

[Onegin]

I second this - it’s the clearest, most comprehensive, and plainest explanation of the Catholic faith that I have ever seen. There is no beating around the bush with politically correct terminology, or with trying to support the self-esteem of those who believe differently than we do. (In fact, he makes no comment whatsoever about the beliefs of other religions and other philosophical systems, other than to name the heresies and their identifying characteristics.) He just lays it on the line in plain English, like a master teacher.

I just noticed this comment - glad someone else brought up this book as well, it is probably the most clear and comprehensive explanation of Catholicism in one book that I have been able to find.

 

[Hesychios]

… I mentioned my opinion that the Rosary isn’t all that meaningful, without the Mysteries, since at that point it simply becomes the repetition of a lot of prayers, for no apparent reason.

One might be given to wonder then, “are the mysteries attached to the repetitive prayers, or are the repetitive prayers attached to the mysteries?”. Or even possibly “did they spring out from a common source whole and entire together?”

However, the rosary should bear some meaning with or without the mysteries, because if we accept this assessment, logically we most uncomfortably admit to ourselves that the rosary could not have been all that meaningful for many centuries. This would be because *in fact *the mysteries were a much later addition to the rosary, not present before the time of Saint Dominic (something of a benchmark in rosary historical discussions) nor for a further two hundred years after him. The rosary was probably recited without the mysteries for as much as 400 to 600 years, perhaps longer (although the “Hail Mary” prayer was evolving all this time too).

Of course it is possible that a few hundred years ago others saw the case somewhat along the same lines as you do, and that might be precisely why the mysteries were introduced.

She saw my point of view, and after that, she started teaching the kids about the Mysteries, as well - but the first two years of kids never learned that, and probably to this day have no idea what the Rosary is supposed to be about.

It stands to reason then, if it is ‘about’ the mysteries, that the mysteries themselves could be meditations without the rest of the rosary, or the prayers of the rosary could be substituted by others.

There are, of course, many other meditations one could do as well. With or without repetitive prayers attached.

 

[CDNowak]

One might be given to wonder then, “are the mysteries attached to the repetitive prayers, or are the repetitive prayers attached to the mysteries?”. Or even possibly “did they spring out from a common source whole and entire together?”

I’d say common source, the monastic hours. The practice of saying 150 Paters, one for each Psalm, became *Aves *and the cycle of meditation on Christ’s life in the different hours became the mysteries, perhaps?

 

[Hesychios]

I’d say common source, the monastic hours. The practice of saying 150 Paters, one for each Psalm, became *Aves *and the cycle of meditation on Christ’s life in the different hours became the mysteries, perhaps?

Yes, that is a possibility. I don’t know much about meditations in medieval western Breviary, but if they are there and they resemble the meditations of the medeival rosary I would say you are on to something.

BTW, I think that the LOTH is a superior sort of prayer practice, for long-time Christians and newbies alike. I would recommend some sort of morning and evening prayer cycle for anyone who is new to the faith (or struggling to learn), coupled with a nightly examination of conscience. There are simplified options, which work out nice for the layperson new to it.

Good prayers will be catechetical, one cannot help but become a better (and more knowledgeable) Catholic over the course of time. A little bit of spiritual direction from the local priest would help get one started.

http://www.stjudeshop.com/resources/StJudeShop/images/products/processed/408-10.zoom.a.jpg

 

[CDNowak]

Yes, that is a possibility. I don’t know much about meditations in medieval western Breviary, but if they are there and they resemble the meditations of the medeival rosary I would say you are on to something.

I don’t know enough about the older arrangement of the hours, but I do know that each hour contemplated aspects of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection: eg Lauds corresponds to the Resurrection, sext (noon)to the Carrying of the Cross, none (~3)to the Death and Burial (roughly, it has been a while since I had them straight in my mind).

 

[Justin1982]

RCIA is not a bad idea depending on who is running it. I attended with my wife who is a cradle-Catholic who was in your shoes. She said she broke out of her 8th Grade understanding of the Catholic Church when she went to RCIA with me. Catholicism for Dummies is a good start. Definitely discuss everything you learn with our spouse, we got so much by just having long discussions with each other. Last when you are grasping a fair amount of knowledge attend a Latin Mass, the beauty and reverence of that Mass will change your perspective on the Catholic Church.