Catholic rituals

[GloriaDeo]

I read in a book (I apologize, don’t remember which one) that Catholics’ understanding of rituals is flawed and that they are really not necessary. This is not what I feel, but it is something that made me think. From what I understood, the author was saying that certain ritual practices like splashing holy water from the hyssop branch and other similar strict observances negate Jesus’s complete atonement on the Cross. Also stated is that these rituals are comparible to sacrifices and burnt offerings, that they’re no longer necessary in the New Testament age. What do you take on this? Cause I don’t know what to think (being divided between Protestant and Catholic myself).

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I do think that some Catholics understanding of our rituals is flawed or incomplete. However, I disagree with the idea that they are unneccessary. Catholic rituals (sacraments, sacramentals, novenas, etc.) touch all of our senses. If catechesis accompanies the rituals their meaning is absorbed sensorially. It aids in memory and can make the intangible somewhat tangible. It also connects to out family history going all the way back to Adam and Eve. The bible contains our geneology and family history. It’s connective.

 

[Zski01]

That book is flawed in not understanding Catholicism. So many people are “experts” on Catholic theology without ever doing any real reasearch on Church theology.

For instance, the sprinkling right is simply a reminder of our Baptism (our once and for all Baptism of repentance). Is that so bad? Ignorance is prevalant throughout other denominations of Christianity and the only thing some folks can seem to agree on is that Catholicism is wrong.

I’ve never met someone who read books by great Catholic authors like Hahn, Akin, or Keating that could still have a leg to stand on in their ignorant attacks on the Church.

 

[Lonevoice]

Zski01:

That book is flawed in not understanding Catholicism. So many people are “experts” on Catholic theology without ever doing any real reasearch on Church theology.

For instance, the sprinkling right is simply a reminder of our Baptism (our once and for all Baptism of repentance). Is that so bad? Ignorance is prevalant throughout other denominations of Christianity and the only thing some folks can seem to agree on is that Catholicism is wrong.

I’ve never met someone who read books by great Catholic authors like Hahn, Akin, or Keating that could still have a leg to stand on in their ignorant attacks on the Church.

Exactly!
Those authors are all part of the reason I’m here.