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Chuck1
Guest
Why does the catholic church light candles and have incenses at the church with all the statues etc ?
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MarcoPolo
Guest
I believe it is rooted in theology, such as in the book of Revelation which speaks of lampstands and the rising of smoke and incense, which is considered the prayers of the saints. Or like the lamps by the tabernacle in places like Exodus (26:35).
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beth40n2
Guest
Read the book of Revelation and you will have many of your questions answered about the mass.
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gelsbern
Guest
That is nice imagery, however it became tradition due for very human reasons. Up until recently bathing was not common. Candles and incense mask the odor of the unwashed. Also due to higher death rates, and the lack of embalming until about the time of the civil war, it masked the odor emanating from the deceased.
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Aelred_Minor
Guest
A lot of these things are sensory cues to remind us that the church building (and, within that, especially the sanctuary) is a sacred space, set apart for God. The sights, sounds, smells, etc. of a church should be different from those we encounter in our ordinary day to day lives. This isn’t because God isn’t present in an important way in ordinary things too, but because for us human beings it is important to have times and places set aside as something special for God.
As for statues of saints, they are visible reminders that we on earth, the Church Militant, are part of a larger communion of faithful that includes those already in heaven (the Church Triumphant). We do not worship the saints with the adoration due only to God, but we give them the honor that is proper to them as holy men and women and we ask them to pray for us. Same thing with the angels.
As for statues of saints, they are visible reminders that we on earth, the Church Militant, are part of a larger communion of faithful that includes those already in heaven (the Church Triumphant). We do not worship the saints with the adoration due only to God, but we give them the honor that is proper to them as holy men and women and we ask them to pray for us. Same thing with the angels.
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Jim_Dandy
Guest
Statues and stained glass windows developed in the early centuries when most of the world was illiterate. The Church used them as tools for teaching Christianity. Most people couldn’t read until the late 18th century and the advent of the Industrial Revolution.
Statues, stained glass windows, and other reminders of God’s best friends have been retained because they are beautiful and remind us of the holy people they represent. They lift the mind and heart to God.
Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints – members of the Church on earth, in the process of final purification before entering heaven known as purgatory, and those already in heaven are all the People of God – one Family of God – and we pray for one other and ask the saints to pray for us
Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!.
Statues, stained glass windows, and other reminders of God’s best friends have been retained because they are beautiful and remind us of the holy people they represent. They lift the mind and heart to God.
Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints – members of the Church on earth, in the process of final purification before entering heaven known as purgatory, and those already in heaven are all the People of God – one Family of God – and we pray for one other and ask the saints to pray for us
Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!.
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adrift
Guest
Incense
Aromatic gum or resin in the form of powder or grains that give off a fragrant smoke when they are burned. When blessed it is a symbolic sacramental. Its burning signifies zeal or fervor; its fragrance, virtue; its rising smoke, human prayer ascending to God. It is used at Mass, for the Gospel book, the altar, the people, the ministers, and the bread and wine; before consecration; at benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; during processions; and at absolutions of the dead. When it is to be used, it is carried in a metal cup-shaped container and burned in a thurible or censer. Five large grains of it are placed in the Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil to symbolize the Five Wounds of the Risen Savior. In some countries it is placed in a stationary censer to burn slowly before the Blessed Sacrament, either exposed or reserved on the altar. (Etym. Latin incensum, incense; literally, something burned; from incendere, to kindle.)
STATUE
A likeness of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or one of the saints, or a symbolic form of an angel, sculptured, carved, or cast in a solid material, and venerated by the faithful. Its purpose is to recall the person whom the statue represents in order to inspire greater piety. Christians do not worship statues as idols.
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DianaCC
Guest
Partly for the retro-chic factor. Obviously candles were so you could see, incense so the emperor wouldn’t smell the unwashed peasants, etc. But these things speak the language of the heart in a way that’s hard to translate. They subconsciously whisper “Holy, Holy, Holy”.
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