Developing, Maintaining, and Passing on Traditional Catholic Culture

[Rawb]

I was reading this thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=128268&highlight=New+Orleans

and thought it was amazing. I can’t imagine growing up surrounded by Catholicism, and having such a shared common knowledge about little bits of Catholic history and practices. Several times brotherhrolf mentioned that it was his duty to pass on that knowledge and keep it going for future Catholics.

I think he’s right, in that it seems that almost all of this is gone and the only way it can be around is to be passed on by those of you who lived it. My question is what do you think were the important parts of that culture? What do you wish was still around? Why did you do some of those things? What would you want to pass on?

Most importantly, is there any way we can build up an environment like this again in our parishes? Or maybe it’s just that I haven’t seen it? Where would I look?

 

[brigid12]

When I converted from Episcopalianism at the new millenium, I was disappointed in the liturgy (same as Episcopal, but not even as reverent! - Episcopalians knelt for consecration and the eucharist, we still had altar rails, etc.) and disappointed that so much of what I’d read/seen of a Catholic Culture was non-existent including the Churches devotions (although, I’m so glad to have found this site and know it’s not all gone). Thank heaven for the Catholic Churches teachings and the successor of Peter! I would love to have that passed on!, however in this neck of the woods that’s not very likely (except on EWTN Radio/Ave Marie Radio/Catholic Answers).

 

[rwoehmke]

There were and are things from the early to mid 20th century Catholic culture worth preserving, bringing back, and passing on. Certainly the ritual and splendor of the Solemn High Mass in Latin would be a prime one. Regular weekly devotions like Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Friday Way of the Cross, both with Benediction would be another.

Many of the Old Hymns, some in Latin and some in English were beautiful and uplifting to sing and to hear. Also reverence, and respect for things and persons, seems to have been unfortunately forgotten.

The practice of frequent Confession, say every two weeks would be another, but the intense emphasis on man’s total depravity and sin riddled lives I can do with out. Not that sin should be ignored or not discussed, but that the off-setting graces and love that the Lord has for his creatures should accompany that concern and discussion. I do believe that today we have become unbalanced in the opposite direction. Nobody wants to talk about or admit that we are prone to sin.

The other thing better left in the past was the fear of becoming contaminated by associating with non-Catholic people and the prejudices that accompanied that fear. What I would like seeing with a renewed emphasis would be the idea that it is best to marry your own. That seems to be a consideration that has by and large gone by the boards on both sides of the fence.

There were also a lot of ethnically related devotional practices and special food items associated with the feasts of the liturgical calender that are being lost. That too seems to be sad.

Last but not the least, a practice that I am happy to see gone, was the notion that no matter what, one must check with “Father” before making a decision on even the most mundane of questions

So I guess it is a mixed bag. Some parts of the culture are worth retaining and others are gone and good riddance…