Christian Seders?

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I found an interesting tidbit on wikipedia about a number of Christians that have taken up observance of passover with a traditionally-themed Seder dinner inspired by the Jewish counterpart, usually with some reference added to Christ. Anyone ever attended one, or know whether Rome has said anything on the practice?
 
mburn16 said:
I found an interesting tidbit on wikipedia about a number of Christians that have taken up observance of passover with a traditionally-themed Seder dinner inspired by the Jewish counterpart, usually with some reference added to Christ. Anyone ever attended one, or know whether Rome has said anything on the practice?
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The local Cathedral here in town has one every year. I am pretty sure the Bishop knows and has might even attended in the past. I have heard wonderful things.
 
My old parish has one every year but I’ve never gone. They sell tickets but I’m not sure how much it is. In RCIA, we were invited free of charge, but we didn’t go. So I don’t really know much about it, other than it’s really popular.
 
I attended on, I think at a Catholic church but don’t remember. It was nice. I don’t know what the Church says on the topic.
 
:confused:Never heard of one.Now my father years ago had attended a jewish seder and my sister has attended several due to having jewish inlaws and friends who are jewish.
My father attended one because he was asked by a school friend back in highschool
in Milwaukee.My grandparents who knew jews and could speak yiddish as well as they spoke the family german didn’t object.Would I go to a christian seder,probably not.
To me a seder is a jewish ceremony and they should be allowed to have it that we christians should not steal this from them.We have our glorious Easter to celebrate
To me I’m leery as to why christians want to do this what the motive is behind it.
 
HollyDolly said:
:confused:Never heard of one.Now my father years ago had attended a jewish seder and my sister has attended several due to having jewish inlaws and friends who are jewish.
My father attended one because he was asked by a school friend back in highschool
in Milwaukee.My grandparents who knew jews and could speak yiddish as well as they spoke the family german didn’t object.Would I go to a christian seder,probably not.
To me a seder is a jewish ceremony and they should be allowed to have it that we christians should not steal this from them.We have our glorious Easter to celebrate
To me I’m leery as to why christians want to do this what the motive is behind it.
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The seder is the what the apostles would have witnessed at the Last Supper. We aren’t stealing.
 
Many, many years ago members of my Protestant church were Christian Jews and hosted several of us at their seder. I loved every minute of it and wish I could do it again. If the opportunity ever arises again I will go.
 
The whole idea is just so 1970s … :rolleyes: It’s almost hard to believe that the thing still persists. 🤷

I remember back in 1970 (or was it ''71?) I had no choice but to participate in one of those. I was in university in the Detroit area at the time, and the (**very **reluctant) host family was 150% Polish. Anyway, the lady of the house did what she was told to do, and we had the whole 9 yards, from ashkenazi harroses (as opposed to the real, mizrahi harroset, but I digress) to dry lamb chops. Luckily, as it turned out, that was, in effect, the appetizer. But then … when the obligatory prescribed ritual was finally over (and it felt like forever, despite the mirthful atmosphere) ) … out came platters of the best fresh kielbasa and bigos etc that I’ve ever had!!! 😃
 
malphono said:
The whole idea is just so 1970s … :rolleyes: It’s almost hard to believe that the thing still persists. 🤷

I remember back in 1970 (or was it ''71?) I had no choice but to participate in one of those. I was in university in the Detroit area at the time, and the (**very **reluctant) host family was 150% Polish. Anyway, the lady of the house did what she was told to do, and we had the whole 9 yards, from ashkenazi harroses (as opposed to the real, mizrahi harroset, but I digress) to dry lamb chops. Luckily, as it turned out, that was, in effect, the appetizer. And then … when the obligatory prescribed ritual was finally over (and it felt like forever, despite the mirthful atmosphere) ) … out came platters of the best fresh kielbasa and bigos etc that I’ve ever had!!! 😃
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We Catholics have a Seder…it is called the Holy Mass! No need to have a Jewish one since Our Lord gave us a new one! 😃
 
Do not do it, even if just out of respect for the Jews. The Seder is a Jewish celebration and they would likely take offense at non-Jews “hijacking” it. Yes, we have Jewish roots and all that, but we are not considered Jews, and they are right. Much the same holds for using Jewish prayer shawls, etc; do not use them.

However, it is perfectly acceptable to accept an invitation to a Jewish Seder held by a Jew. Besides, we have our greatest celebration anyway, which is the Easter Vigil.
 
I agree Porthos 11.We have the Easter Vigil;and do not need to take the seder away from them.Many chrisitans may not know why it is important to jews or know much about jewish customs.

There was a movie years ago called A Stranger Among Us with Melanie Griffth who plays a goyim(non jew ) detective investigating some murder or murders in the Hassedic community in New York.One of the main characters explained to her various things about their culture.A lot of what was said about their customs we already knew from hearing them from our dad.Where he grew up in Milwaukee on 16th St. was mainly Germans Poles and Czechs .Where he picked up yiddish from not sure; but he went to schools with jews and they had friends who were jewish.
My grandmother actually went to school with Golda Meir;but I don’t how well they knew each other.
 
porthos11 said:
Do not do it, even if just out of respect for the Jews. The Seder is a Jewish celebration and they would likely take offense at non-Jews “hijacking” it. Yes, we have Jewish roots and all that, but we are not considered Jews, and they are right. Much the same holds for using Jewish prayer shawls, etc; do not use them.

However, it is perfectly acceptable to accept an invitation to a Jewish Seder held by a Jew. Besides, we have our greatest celebration anyway, which is the Easter Vigil.
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Jews would not take offense. It would not be seen as hijacking. The Jewish people are very open and welcoming people. They love to be invited to our baptisms, confirmations and weddings and love to invite us to their functions. They just don’t like to be prostelytized.

The Jews I know would love to hear that you are having a seder, and would probably share recipies with you. They are some of the most freindly people on earth.

There is no reason why a Christian cannot have a seder nor particpate in any seder.

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31)

The seder was for each Jew, a personal participation in the Exodus. Jesus accomplished a new exodus, succeeding where the first one failed. There is no reason why we can’t honor that.

Besides, it’s fun.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
Jews would not take offense. It would not be seen as hijacking. The Jewish people are very open and welcoming people. They love to be invited to our baptisms, confirmations and weddings and love to invite us to their functions. They just don’t like to be prostelytized.

The Jews I know would love to hear that you are having a seder, and would probably share recipies with you. They are some of the most freindly people on earth.

There is no reason why a Christian cannot have a seder nor particpate in any seder.

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31)

The seder was for each Jew, a personal participation in the Exodus. Jesus accomplished a new exodus, succeeding where the first one failed. There is no reason why we can’t honor that.

Besides, it’s fun.

-Tim-
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We do honour that. With the Mass.

To hold a seder is to throw back to the prefiguration rather than the fulfillment, which is what Christianity is about. It’s perfectly fine to attend a Jewish seder if invited. But personally, we Christians have no business holding seders, simply because we are not Jews.

As for your Jewish acquaintances, are they Orthodox or Haredi? If they’re secular or reform, they probably woudn’t mind. If they’re Conservative or Orthodox, you’ll probably begin hearing objections.
 
porthos11 said:
We do honour that. With the Mass.

To hold a seder is to throw back to the prefiguration rather than the fulfillment, which is what Christianity is about. It’s perfectly fine to attend a Jewish seder if invited. But personally, we Christians have no business holding seders, simply because we are not Jews.

As for your Jewish acquaintances, are they Orthodox or Haredi? If they’re secular or reform, they probably woudn’t mind. If they’re Conservative or Orthodox, you’ll probably begin hearing objections.
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Mostly reformed.

Visiting the great sites of the OT as a tourist could be considered a throwback, yet I want to go.

I just don’t see any harm and think any objection to a Christain seder is making a mountain out of a mole hill.

-Tim-
 
mburn16 said:
I found an interesting tidbit on wikipedia about a number of Christians that have taken up observance of passover with a traditionally-themed Seder dinner inspired by the Jewish counterpart, usually with some reference added to Christ. Anyone ever attended one, or know whether Rome has said anything on the practice?
Click to expand...
I would not attend. We have one parish around here that used to have it and from what I understand it is a type of liturgical celebration. You have to remember that the Jewish people were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, as Christians we do not. He has already come and when he celebrated the Passover at the last supper he ended the looking forward to the Messiah.

Some will say when Catholics or Christians have the Sedar meal they Christianize it but Jesus already did that when he instituted the sacrifice of the mass.

So, attending and participating in prayers that speak of looking forward to a Messiah would not be a good profession of faith so also the Mass is the Christian Passover.

I agree with Johnny C. the audio sancto talk explains why it is wrong for a Catholic to attend in very simple ways.

audiosancto.org/sermon/20080928-Seder-Meals-Violate-the-1st-Commandment.html

Plus I have heard priests trying so hard to get people to come and spend time at Holy Hour or even just private time with the Blessed Sacrament, in other words the Messiah has already come, he is here and wants us to be with him in the Blessed Sacrament. We need to celebrate the new Passover with Christ.
 
Diana_Catherine said:
You have to remember that the Jewish people were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, as Christians we do not. He has already come and when he celebrated the Passover at the last supper he ended the looking forward to the Messiah.
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Well I was making no suggestion of going or not going, simply laying out a topic for discussion. I have two specific problems with your theory (Admittedly, before I listen to the link):
  1. Is the Seder to look forward to the coming of the Messiah? I was under the impression it was in continuance of the original feast designed to commemorate struggle and bondage in Egypt, and and to give thanks for being spared by the angle of death. If it was simply about the Messiah, wouldn’t it be slightly unusual for Jesus to celebrate it himself?
  2. Even if it is about looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, do we not, as Christians, “joyfully await his coming”? Does the sacrifice of the mass, which primarily a commemoration of his sacrifice at Calvary, really fill that role? If it did, wouldn’t the loud, “happy-clappy” type of worship we see so much criticism on here be perfectly appropriate?
 
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