About “traditional customs” I posted the following earlier:
A slight bowing of the head at the name of Jesus.
Always having a rosary with you either in a purse or a pocket. Yes, I know many people do that now, but I think more did so before VCII.
Spiller, I am quoting your comment about my earlier post:
Nothing about either practice is pre-VC2. In fact, the later one is still in the rubrics of the Mass.
What are you saying?
I think the topic here is not what was changed or started by Vatican Council II, but customs of devotion and piety that might have been more
“commonly known and practiced” during those times.
I was a young adult at the time of VC II, and have first hand knowledge of those times - before, during and after. I was then as now, a practicing Catholic with 16 years of Catholic schooling and have been very active in the church. I can be considered a “primary source” of information or observation on this topic.
I agree that the Council did not address bowing the head at the name of Jesus, and/or having a rosary with you all the time. But I think I am safe in saying that both were more common before the Council than they are now. What am I judging this on? As I said, my experience and observations.
As a Catholic school student in grade school, high school and college (undergraduate) all before or during the time of the Council, it was a “given” that everyone had a rosary with them all the time. My parents did, my friends all did. That’s just the way it was.
Is this still a common practice? As a Catholic school teacher for many years I have noticed that when we have school rosary services (Oct. & May) we have to give the kids lots of notice to remember to bring rosaries that day, and even then, many do not. Classrooms have collections of plastic rosaries to distribute. Many teachers use them as well, not having a rosary of their own with them!
Bowing the head at the name of Jesus was taught and practiced by most in those past days - but who does it now? It caught my eye a few weeks ago when the rosary was being said before a Sunday Mass, the couple in front of me both bowed their heads at the name of Jesus in every Hail Mary. So, being somewhat nosey, I looked around. This was in a very large church with many present. This had nothing to do with the rubrics of the Mass - it had to do with personal piety and devotion. Guess what I observed.
And, finally, about making the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic church, I am glad that you and your family continue the practice. Do you think most people in your locality do this?