Reverencing Statues

[Little_Boy_Lost]

How do Roman Catholics reverence statues? Is it similar to how Byzantine Catholics reverence Icons?

 

[JRKH]

How do Roman Catholics reverence statues? Is it similar to how Byzantine Catholics reverence Icons?

I can’t speak for others but I don’t “reverence statues” at all.
I do reverence what they represent and call to mind.
Reverence comes from “revere” which means:
“to regard with respect tinged with awe; venerate”
It would be inappropriate to “venerate” a statue, and as for "respect tinged with awe, I might stand in awe of the beauty of the work and the skill of the Artisan, but not of the statue itself.

Peace
James

 

[Corki]

How do Roman Catholics reverence statues? Is it similar to how Byzantine Catholics reverence Icons?

I don’t know about everyone else. I usually just say a short prayer such as “St. Michael the Archangel, protect us” or “St. John, pray for us” and maybe make the sign of the cross.

Not having a nearby Byzantine Church, I am not familiar with their tradition with regard to icons. Can you tell us more?

 

[Elizium23]

Many people touch or kiss the statue, often at the feet. It is not inappropriate at all to reverence or venerate statues and icons, because as Christians we understand that we are honoring the saint they represent, rather than worshiping an idol.

 

[ByzCath08]

The Latin Rite Church does not reverence statues the way the Eastern Church does with Icons and Relics.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Eastern Church, there is usually an icon on the tetrapod that you reverence upon entering the church. In the Byzantine Rite, upon approaching the icon, you make two reverences(sign of the cross followed by a bow), sign of the cross a third time, followed by a kiss to the icon and a bow afterwards.