Cool Things About Catholicism

[fbl9]

snip…
I really like knowing that my church recognizes that its people exist globally, :

Thinking about how whenever i as a catholic use the word we in a prayer i am joined in and with this global community…Chances are somebody is saying the same prayer some where else at the same time.
Also this ties in with the commuion of saints as well.

 

[spunjalebi]

And I think it’s absolutely amazing to know that the Bible readings are being read all over the world at the same time (or close). And that when we say prayers, it’s happening the same way in other churches.

 

[The_Reginator]

Thinking about how whenever i as a catholic use the word we in a prayer i am joined in and with this global community…Chances are somebody is saying the same prayer some where else at the same time.
Also this ties in with the commuion of saints as well.

Yes. The communion of the saints.
Just think. At each and every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass it is not just the priest, servers, and congregation offering up the gifts. All the hosts in heaven are present too!!!
(Unfortunately I find that in the Ordinary Form of the Mass this idea is not as visible as in the Extraordinary Form.)

 

[Doxiemom]

There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to go to Midnight Mass.

I know non-catholics who will attend this Mass.

 

[PLAT]

Many serious ones have been listed already, so I am going to list my own opinions:

1. Altar! Hasn’t any mentioned? The altar is so special in the church. It’s not just a stage for people to preach, but also a place to watch miracles happen every mass (read: Christ’s Body)! Besides, don’t you find that it’s plain ownage that we have such an altar, for priests to teach, cantors to sing, and deacons and altar boys working together to increase each other’s faith? Unlike Protestants, who focus a lot more on self-redemption of grace, we Catholics do things together.
2. Incense and Candles! Why? Because it visualises the experience. Light of God, who? Jesus. The candle fire is used by the sides of the person holding the Gospel, The (portable? lol it’s quite heavy actually) cross, etc. The fire passing in Easter Vigil reminds me of spreading the word of God. And Incense. Bearing in mind that some smelled horrible, but it is definitely something that reminds the people attending the mass to be alert, like the Jesus on the cross thing. And who doesn’t like to play with thuribles and candles.

 

[Gumbercules]

What are some of the most fun and your favorite things about being catholic, attending the catholic church, and just the catholic lifestyle in general. Im just curious and want to learn more. Thanks!

The promise of our Lord that his Church would never err. That he will be with us for ever, and he has kept that promise in the Eucharist.

The food. If you belong to a Italian or German or other ethnic parish, you know what I am talking about. The Roman Rite parish I attend is Italian and Portuguese.

The Communion of Saints, knowing that billions of people have gone before you, and are praying for you right now, and someday, you will be praying for those on Earth.

Our Holy Father, the Pope, 265 popes going back to the Apostle Peter himself, and instituted by our Lord himself.

The balance between mysticism and intellectualism. If you are attracted to the learned and intelligent, or the mystical, you are welcome here.

Monks and nuns and other religious. Knowing that there are people who have devoted their entire lives to praying for YOU!

Seasons of Life. the Church has a Sacrament for the seasons of life, from Holy Baptism to Chrismation, or Matrimony, to Unction. And seasons of the year, from Great Lent to Advent and Theophany to Pascha and Pentecost. Our church seasons shift with the natural seasons.

Our Lady the Theotokos. We all have a spiritual mother, who we can cry to for her help.

The simple fact that after 2000 years, we are still here. The most intelligent and learned men and women in history have attacked it and defended it, and we are still here. We have suffered plagues, apostasies, barbarian invasions, death, famine, modern liberalism attacking from within, and heresies, and we are still here. We have suffered schism and division, political intrigue, factions, and a 75 year captivity and we are still here. World wars, extermination attempts by madmen and errant political systems, and an attack by modern intellectuals and liberals, BUT WE ARE STILL HERE. For thousands of years, the systems of this world and the Lord of this world have thrown themselves against the might and power of Our Lords mighty Church, his body, and have broken like so much water falling on rocks, and we are still here.

 

[The_Reginator]

Many serious ones have been listed already, so I am going to list my own opinions:

1. Altar! Hasn’t any mentioned? The altar is so special in the church. It’s not just a stage for people to preach, but also a place to watch miracles happen every mass (read: Christ’s Body)! Besides, don’t you find that it’s plain ownage that we have such an altar, for priests to teach, cantors to sing, and deacons and altar boys working together to increase each other’s faith? Unlike Protestants, who focus a lot more on self-redemption of grace, we Catholics do things together.
2. Incense and Candles! Why? Because it visualises the experience. Light of God, who? Jesus. The candle fire is used by the sides of the person holding the Gospel, The (portable? lol it’s quite heavy actually) cross, etc. The fire passing in Easter Vigil reminds me of spreading the word of God. And Incense. Bearing in mind that some smelled horrible, but it is definitely something that reminds the people attending the mass to be alert, like the Jesus on the cross thing. And who doesn’t like to play with thuribles and candles.

 

[The_Reginator]

The promise of our Lord that his Church would never err. That he will be with us for ever, and he has kept that promise in the Eucharist.

The food. If you belong to a Italian or German or other ethnic parish, you know what I am talking about. The Roman Rite parish I attend is Italian and Portuguese.

The Communion of Saints, knowing that billions of people have gone before you, and are praying for you right now, and someday, you will be praying for those on Earth.

Our Holy Father, the Pope, 265 popes going back to the Apostle Peter himself, and instituted by our Lord himself.

The balance between mysticism and intellectualism. If you are attracted to the learned and intelligent, or the mystical, you are welcome here.

Monks and nuns and other religious. Knowing that there are people who have devoted their entire lives to praying for YOU!

Seasons of Life. the Church has a Sacrament for the seasons of life, from Holy Baptism to Chrismation, or Matrimony, to Unction. And seasons of the year, from Great Lent to Advent and Theophany to Pascha and Pentecost. Our church seasons shift with the natural seasons.

Our Lady the Theotokos. We all have a spiritual mother, who we can cry to for her help.

The simple fact that after 2000 years, we are still here. The most intelligent and learned men and women in history have attacked it and defended it, and we are still here. We have suffered plagues, apostasies, barbarian invasions, death, famine, modern liberalism attacking from within, and heresies, and we are still here. We have suffered schism and division, political intrigue, factions, and a 75 year captivity and we are still here. World wars, extermination attempts by madmen and errant political systems, and an attack by modern intellectuals and liberals, BUT WE ARE STILL HERE. For thousands of years, the systems of this world and the Lord of this world have thrown themselves against the might and power of Our Lords mighty Church, his body, and have broken like so much water falling on rocks, and we are still here.

 

[letendre]

we have a church that teaches truth without falsehood (and actually says so). We have a church where we can receive the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of our lord jesus christ (not just a symbolic piece of bread). My church has bishops who were ordained by bishops, all the way back to the apostles (and we can prove it for each and every bishop). And one of those bishops ordained my priest. We have a church that is as old as christendom (and we can prove it). Martin luther invented the lutheran church, but our church was established by jesus christ. That’s real. That’s cool.

right on brother!

 

[letendre]

For me, just pondering the fact the Church is more than a religious society whose purpose is the worship of God, more than a society different from all others because it was founded by God, more than a depository of grace and revealed truth. The Church herself is supernatural in her nature and essence, since she is the Body of Christ, living with the life of Christ himself, with a supernatural life. From the “fullness of Christ” (Collossians 2:9 ff) all his members are filled, so that the Church herself is “the fullness of him who is wholly fullfilled in all.” (Ephesians 1:23). Hence the mystery of the Church is the very mystery of Christ himself.

Staggering. Absolutely staggering!

Praise be Jesus Christ. Now and forever!

There’s something about being Catholic that you don’t find or feel in a Protestant
Church

 

[ncgolf]

What are some of the most fun and your favorite things about being catholic, attending the catholic church, and just the catholic lifestyle in general. Im just curious and want to learn more. Thanks!

I love the smell of incense and I love singing the Litany of the Saints.