Should carpet be allowed in Catholic churches?

[nickybr38]

Actually, that would be iconoclasm and mythology all rolled into one. The number of Catholics and the number of times has been greatly exagerated. Yes, they did celebrate the mass over the tombs of the martyrs. That’s how we get the custom of the relics on the altar.

No, most Christians did not celebrate mass in cemetaries. That was very particular to Rome and only done under certain circumstances. The other Churches celebrated mass in homes until the first churches were built. Actually, some of those homes may have had carpeting. It was very common in the homes of the wealthy as a source of warmth. Even in Asia Minor, nights can be very cold.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Haha! Way to ruin the joke sir but thank you for the info anyway! My studies have been limited to specific areas and a specific time in history (Roman history - not surprisingly).

 

[Zacdecat]

Do people really eat during the Mass? I hope they do not commit the grave sin of receiving Communion then!

What is the matter with people that they cannot eat for such a short while.

 

[ajpirc]

Do people really eat during the Mass? I hope they do not commit the grave sin of receiving Communion then!

What is the matter with people that they cannot eat for such a short while.

Well it’s usually only small children, but if a parent gives food to their child during Mass, that shows how well they respect it. When will they learn?

 

[JReducation]

Haha! Way to ruin the joke sir but thank you for the info anyway! My studies have been limited to specific areas and a specific time in history (Roman history - not surprisingly).

Oops! Sorry about the joke.

The whole thing about catacoms is rather interesting. While it’s true that it did happen, many people have forgetten about the other Apostles. The Churches that they founded, St. Thomas, St. Paul, St. James and others, were not in Rome and not subject to these harsh conditions. Thinking about the catacoms, after visiting them, I’ve often wondered how they kept warm. They are very cold. Maybe they did bring throw rugs.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[nickybr38]

Oops! Sorry about the joke.

The whole thing about catacoms is rather interesting. While it’s true that it did happen, many people have forgetten about the other Apostles. The Churches that they founded, St. Thomas, St. Paul, St. James and others, were not in Rome and not subject to these harsh conditions. Thinking about the catacoms, after visiting them, I’ve often wondered how they kept warm. They are very cold. Maybe they did bring throw rugs.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

It intrigues me that different apostles traveled to different areas and started different customs. I wonder why that is… the political climate? I suppose in the case of Rome they HAD to sometimes run to the Catacombs because it was the only safe place to worship.

Brother, I’ll ask you, because maybe you know off hand and I apologize to everyone for derailing for a minute BUT which apostles went where? How much do we know about that? I know St. Thomas went to India (my priest was from there he told me as much). Where did the others go?

As to the throw rugs - most likely they just wore two sandals instead of one.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Do people really eat during the Mass? I hope they do not commit the grave sin of receiving Communion then!

What is the matter with people that they cannot eat for such a short while.

Kids, mostly; toddlers to about age seven, chomping on granola bars.

 

[JReducation]

It intrigues me that different apostles traveled to different areas and started different customs. I wonder why that is… the political climate? I suppose in the case of Rome they HAD to sometimes run to the Catacombs because it was the only safe place to worship.

Brother, I’ll ask you, because maybe you know off hand and I apologize to everyone for derailing for a minute BUT which apostles went where? How much do we know about that? I know St. Thomas went to India (my priest was from there he told me as much). Where did the others go?

As to the throw rugs - most likely they just wore two sandals instead of one.

Off the top of my head I know that John went to Ephesus, Philip and Bartholomew went to another part of modern day Turkey, Thomas to India, as you know, James to Spain, Peter and Paul to Rome, and the others, one would have to study their lives to find out where they died. I just remember the more famous ones. Sowwy.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[sojo]

I voted yes for carpet. Our little church has an unfinished wood floor with cheap carpeting on top. If we pulled up the carpet, we’d be standing on raw wood and nails. Instead of pews, we have folding chairs - no kneelers. Our hope is to someday be able to afford a small public hall for events and catechism. I think we would have to forgo the chairs with kneelers as they would take up too much room, though. Its a shame because sometimes if you try to get onto the floor to kneel, especially in the winter when you have a lot of clothing on, you knock over any chairs no one is sitting on at the time. Most people don’t kneel at all anymore as it has become such a distraction. And the older or larger folks have trouble getting up from kneeling on the hard floor when the chair you are holding onto moves or collapses.

People sometimes forget about small, poor, rural churches. We make do with what we have. The focus is on the Mass after all.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Would/does carpet in our churches need to go?

Do you think it helps compliment the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or does it just make the church feel luxurious? Should the Mass be a luxury?

Should the sacred music, especially Gregorian chant, echo off of the ceiling, walls, and floor? Would carpet ruin that sacredness?

These are questions for those who answer the poll.

YES!!!

 

[redrosetea]

I think carpet is a plus…It keeps people from slipping on a slippery floor…and it is quiet, and warm are a plus for me…Anything that isn’t routinely cleaned can be dirty, even a marble floor

I think that oriental carpeting looks wonderful in a church