Is it okay to display Celtic crosses?

[Tim_Cleveland]

I was wondering if it is okay to own and display Celtic crosses. I know that there are many pagan symbols that have been “blessed” by the Church as acceptable. These range from Christmas trees to Easter eggs. Have Celtic knots and crosses been similarly blessed by the Church? I ask because the tie to paganism that Celtic knots and symbols have is pretty strong whereas the tie to paganism that Christmas trees and Easter eggs have is all but lost to time.

Also, I came across a “Celtic baptismal cross” in a Catholic catalogue. We are expecting a daughter in Ocober and I thought it might be nice to pin to her baptismal gown to reflect my Irish heritage. But the catalogue did not describe what made it a “baptismal cross” and I cannot find out anything about it in the web. I can however find plenty of details on the pagan connection that Celtic knots have. As such, I am wondering if a Celtic baptismal cross an appropriate adornment for a baptismal gown.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

It sounds to me that you might be scrupling too much about this. That you found a Celtic cross in a Catholic catalogue is a clue that the Church has “baptized” this pre-Christian symbol. For more information on Celtic crosses, see this article. As for the Celtic knot, it too has been “baptized” into Christian imagery, appearing often in Christian manuscripts and other artwork (source).

As for using a Celtic cross at a baptism, I can see nothing wrong with doing so.

Recommended reading:

Is Catholicism Pagan?