What the proper way for a Catholic to show their love for the Turkish culture?

[Aydan]

no of course not I would never do anything that would take away from people’s attention at Mass I merely looking A way for and not disruptive noninvasive way for me to show my thanks to God for giving me the gift of getting to know the Turkish culture and the language with it. For instance I quietly say mass in Turkish rather than English. We have a Turkish cultural Center in my city so I had plenty of opportunity outside of church.

How about a Turkish flag pin? Americans seem to quite like those for expressing national pride.

Really the whole Hijab thing isn’t Islamic at all, it’s a cultural practice which was adopted by the religion. Now it’s very much associated with Islam but it was common across the Middle East. Is it covering your hair/head that you like? You could just go with a Chapel Veil or something similar, or you could wear a scarf as others have suggested.

I really don’t see why you’d want to be advertising to all and sundry that you like Turkish culture, what is it you actually want to derive from it? Are you looking for attention or is it just a fashion thing or something else? If you’re looking for attention then it is entirely inappropriate for wearing to Mass, the focus at that time isn’t meant to be on you, or any affiliation you may want to create with other countries.

I think the best thing you could do is start a group, Turkish Cultural Appreciation Club or something, have dinners with traditional Turkish food, talk about the history music etc, speak the language etc. You could maybe even get it put in the Church bulletin in case anyone else is interested. The other thing you could think about is going to an Eastern Catholic Parish if there are any in your area.

 

[puzzleannie]

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh nothat’s like saying we shouldn’t make the signof the cross because then we are advertising ourselves as Catholic you wouldn’t stop doing that would you

well I would not do it while visiting a mosque, especially if my reason for doing so were to advertise that my religion is different than that of my hosts. Also my Catholic heritage (my religion) my not necessarily be the same as my ethnic, cultural or national heritage. I imagine wearing an American flag pin on my lapel would not be wise in many Moslem countries.

 

[Aydan]

I see what you’re saying I wouldn’t go to a mosque and do that either anymore and I would enter one if my head is uncovered. But again I’m not trying to do something that would disrupt things by scarf I mean something that I would wear on my neck or shoulders or something like that something low key that would still allow me to express myself in a way that is not disruptive.

well I would not do it while visiting a mosque, especially if my reason for doing so were to advertise that my religion is different than that of my hosts. Also my Catholic heritage (my religion) my not necessarily be the same as my ethnic, cultural or national heritage. I imagine wearing an American flag pin on my lapel would not be wise in many Moslem countries.

 

[snhs]

no of course not I would never do anything that would take away from people’s attention at Mass I merely looking A way for and not disruptive noninvasive way for me to show my thanks to God for giving me the gift of getting to know the Turkish culture and the language with it. For instance I quietly say mass in Turkish rather than English. We have a Turkish cultural Center in my city so I had plenty of opportunity outside of church.

Then what’s your problem? Can’t you just go to Mass without advertising your affiliation to a cultural group?

Or wear/carry something with you in your pocket/handbag/wallet that can’t be seen and that only you are aware of. That way you are not intruding on anyone else and God will be aware of it. If you want to thank God then thank Him, you don’t need to wear anything to do that.

You can’t say Mass unless you’re a Priest. I don’t think the congregation are meant to speak some of the prayers during Mass, particularly at the consecration. I think you should maybe have a bit more consideration for those sitting near you, they may not want to hear someone recite the Mass in Turkish and it may prove both disruptive and invasive.

 

[Aydan]

I do it in a voice that is not even audible so no one can hear it I whisper it and I do the English with the rest of the congregation first not only that I go to a cathedral so the church is more than large enough for me to park my wheelchair far enough from the pews as to not disturb anyone. I didn’t mean to say Mass I meant rpond with the lay people of course. Only I would know myself that it is a Turkish scarf no one else would be able to tell because it looks like any other ordinary scarf and people dress up at my parish so they are very common and would not disturb anyone. Not only that my church serves as the mother church for the diocese of a lot of people prefer to pray in Spanish and nobody has a problem with it.

Then what’s your problem? Can’t you just go to Mass without advertising your affiliation to a cultural group?

Or wear/carry something with you in your pocket/handbag/wallet that can’t be seen and that only you are aware of. That way you are not intruding on anyone else and God will be aware of it. If you want to thank God then thank Him, you don’t need to wear anything to do that.

You can’t say Mass unless you’re a Priest. I don’t think the congregation are meant to speak some of the prayers during Mass, particularly at the consecration. I think you should maybe have a bit more consideration for those sitting near you, they may not want to hear someone recite the Mass in Turkish and it may prove both disruptive and invasive.

 

[Aydan]

that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing. My buddy that loves all things Turkish and I go to college together. And he’s going over to Turkey for a semester so he will be there seven months I wish I could go! Thank you for the suggestions as well.:clapping:

I am also a Catholic that loves Turkey and its people. While I was in college, my best friend was Turkish, and he lived down the hall from me. Since he could not afford to travel home during breaks, I would always invite him to stay with my family and I, because the dorms closed. I have relatives all over the country, and so over the years, we took him to see many different parts of the country (Minneapolis, San Francisco, Orlando, Phoenix, Chicago…). Later, he invited my whole family to come and visit him in Turkey. My entire family, plus my first cousin all went. We first took an organized tour of Turkey for 14 days, visiting most of the major sites in the country. Then, we stayed an additional 9 days with his family in Istanbul. It was the most memorable trip of my life, and the fascinating history that I learned while there spurred my love for the subject (and for travel) and put me on the path to being a history professor as a career. Perhaps my favorite moment of the trip took place 16 years ago today, on the Fourth of July. We were sitting on the balcony at his parent’s apartment, overlooking the Bosphorous Strait on a beautiful evening, watching the ships go up and down the waterway, when huge fireworks began to fire off. We joked, “How appropriate”, until my friends dad informed me that the US Secretary of State was in town, and the government was actually having a genuine Fourth of July celebration for him. So there we sat, watching the fireworks explode over Hagia Sophia, one of the world’s greatest Christian sites, in what ended up being a meeting of US and Turkish culture not just at the national level, but at the personal level too.

So, what could you wear to represent Turkish culture? Well, my mom and cousin had to buy silk head scarves in order to be able to tour the Blue Mosque. It is only required for women to wear them inside of mosques in Turkey, which I don’t think is unreasonable, since even the Vatican has a dress code. However, the beautiful silk scarves are actually more popular as shoulder wraps, and even many young people wear them as a fashion statement. Turkey also has some fabulous gold and leather work, so you might be able to find something distinctive. Also, even though you might not be able to purchase a Turkish carpet (which could exceed $40,000), Turkish kilims are a type of woven rug not unlike a Navajo rug, and they run between $100 and $400. They make a beautiful addition and a distinctive statement in any room.

I’ll see if I can think of any other suggestions tonight…

 

[tobbias88]

Wear the Hijab. It is quite quite beautiful

Most modest Arab, Iranian and Turkish (Armenian) Christian women wear it. Until VAT II all RC women wore head covering and still do in most latin american & African coutries. In Spain & Italy it is still very common and has been for generations.

Actually one has never never seen a picture or manifestation/vision of Our Blessed Lady with her head uncovered. Wonder why US women don’t make the connexion and follow her example. I think you have chosen the better path - stick with it.

As for Mass prayers, the priest should encourage everyone to respond as they can. Here at Sunday we have a chorus of Poles, Filippinos, Liths, Lats, Irish, English, Indians, Africans etc. all proclaiming the ‘Our Father’ in their own language. Better than sitting dumb.

 

[ora_pro_nobis]

Merhaba, Aydan!

My uncle is a Turkish Cypriot, married to my Mum’s sister. He has been part of our family for nearly 50 years. through him I have learnt to appreciate Turkish culture, the beautiful music, the poetry, those wonderful blue and white tiles etc. I don’t speak much Turkish, as when my cousins were growing up he preferred them to speak English, but two of them have learnt it later in life.
You go right ahead and wear the hijab if you want - don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. In my church in Central London we have Catholics from all sorts of cultures, and they still wear stuff associated with their culture - we have Iraqi Catholics who wear hijab, an Indian woman who wears her beautiful saris, Chinese Catholics who wear Chinese clothes etc etc.

 

[Aydan]

wow that’s really cool I didn’t know that it must be neat to hear all those different languages. Turkish is my second language so I don’t really need to pray in it I just like to. Speaking of our Blessed Mother that’s where I got an idea from was looking at a statue of her at my church. I thought well and she does why not me?

Wear the Hijab. It is quite quite beautiful

Most modest Arab, Iranian and Turkish (Armenian) Christian women wear it. Until VAT II all RC women wore head covering and still do in most latin american & African coutries. In Spain & Italy it is still very common and has been for generations.

Actually one has never never seen a picture or manifestation/vision of Our Blessed Lady with her head uncovered. Wonder why US women don’t make the connexion and follow her example. I think you have chosen the better path - stick with it.

As for Mass prayers, the priest should encourage everyone to respond as they can. Here at Sunday we have a chorus of Poles, Filippinos, Liths, Lats, Irish, English, Indians, Africans etc. all proclaiming the ‘Our Father’ in their own language. Better than sitting dumb.

 

[Aydan]

Merhaba that’s pretty cool. I wish it was like that everywhere. I love Turku by the way.

Merhaba, Aydan!

My uncle is a Turkish Cypriot, married to my Mum’s sister. He has been part of our family for nearly 50 years. through him I have learnt to appreciate Turkish culture, the beautiful music, the poetry, those wonderful blue and white tiles etc. I don’t speak much Turkish, as when my cousins were growing up he preferred them to speak English, but two of them have learnt it later in life.
You go right ahead and wear the hijab if you want - don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. In my church in Central London we have Catholics from all sorts of cultures, and they still wear stuff associated with their culture - we have Iraqi Catholics who wear hijab, an Indian woman who wears her beautiful saris, Chinese Catholics who wear Chinese clothes etc etc.

 

[Navarricano]

Wear the Hijab. It is quite quite beautiful

Most modest Arab, Iranian and Turkish (Armenian) Christian women wear it. Until VAT II all RC women wore head covering and still do in most latin american & African coutries. In Spain & Italy it is still very common and has been for generations.

Actually one has never never seen a picture or manifestation/vision of Our Blessed Lady with her head uncovered. Wonder why US women don’t make the connexion and follow her example. I think you have chosen the better path - stick with it.

Tobbias 88: Women in Spain do not wear head coverings any longer, whether at Mass or in public. That’s a misconception, I’m afraid. I haven’t noticed it in Italy either, but then, I don’t live there so I will defer to someone else’s authority on that point.

Aydan: As for the rest of Tobbias’s quote, I agree. Wear a head covering if you choose to, for the reasons that *you *choose. Whether it makes you feel more feminine, more reverent, or whatever … do it because you want to.

As for the whole head covering issue, it’s worth remembering, I think, that until very recently (i.e., the last 40 years or so, since the late 60s) it was common for all women to wear scarves or hats of some kind when they went out in public. I remember my mother and my grandmother wearing scarves when they went out in public all of the time. To this day, a woman with an elegant little hat always gets my attention, though it is rare to see.

But when you look at old films and newsreels of people on the streets of London, New York, Chicago, wherever, you always see men and women wearing hats and women with scarves. I suppose the custom was another casualty of the changing philosophies and styles of the 60s and the 70s.

 

[Sam_777]

Hi everyone,

I’ve read in a previous thread, that the Hijab would cause some sort of a scandal if it was used by a Catholic women, however, I would like more clarification about that, but first let us differentiate between the different types of veils:

- Veil (normally used by Nuns):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

- Head-scarf (normally used for non religious purposes):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/500110329_6c599b3a48_o.jpg

- Hijab (mostly used by Muslim women worldwide):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

- Niqab & Burqa (mostly used by Muslim women in Gulf region plus Afghanistan):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

*- **Shayla *(sometimes used by Muslim women in the Gulf region):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

- Khimar (mostly used by Muslim women in the Gulf region, Iraq, and Iran):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Now which types of the above would cause a scandal and which would not?

 

[Aydan]

Sam I don’t think we want to go there on this thread on the last thread it got so bad that I actually asked to have it shut down so I really don’t want to go there again that whole debate was so painful it has been perhaps the most painful experience of my entire four years in the church. So if you don’t mind can we not go there or can you start a new thread perhaps?

I’ve read in a previous thread, that the Hijab would cause some sort of a scandal if it was used by a Catholic women, however, I would like more clarification about that, but first let us differentiate between the different types of veils:

- Veil (normally used by Nuns):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

- Head-scarf (normally used for non religious purposes):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/500110329_6c599b3a48_o.jpg

- Hijab (mostly used by Muslim women worldwide):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

- Niqab & Burqa (mostly used by Muslim women in Gulf region plus Afghanistan):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

*- **Shayla *(sometimes used by Muslim women in the Gulf region):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

- Khimar (mostly used by Muslim women in the Gulf region, Iraq, and Iran):
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Now which types of the above would cause a scandal and which would not?

 

[Aydan]

Hey everybody

I found the perfect solution for my problem. I was able to find a Turkish crescent and star pendant that is no bigger then the medallions I wear now. The Turkish crescent and star represents the Turkish flag and Turkish independence. It is the perfect way for me to keep Turkey close to my heart. I’ll save the scarves for wintertime when it is more appropriate. My priest said it was all right to where a scarf in church. Anyway thanks to inJesus and Sam I can now clearly distinguish between head coverings as opposed to the hijab that is designed for women not to be noticed. So if I ever choose to wear a head covering I can make sure that that the head covering I choose cannot be confused with the Islamic hijab. And what’s really cool is that a lot of the ladies wear scarves and some even wear beautiful hats so I would fit right in even if I was wearing a scarf or headscarf. In particular the deacon’s wife has some of the most beautiful hats I’ve seen. Thank you everybody for your help I really appreciate it and thanks for the support and encouraging words as well. :tiphat:

 

[Sam_777]

Hey everybody

I found the perfect solution for my problem. I was able to find a Turkish crescent and star pendant that is no bigger then the medallions I wear now. The Turkish crescent and star represents the Turkish flag and Turkish independence. It is the perfect way for me to keep Turkey close to my heart. I’ll save the scarves for wintertime when it is more appropriate. My priest said it was all right to where a scarf in church. Anyway thanks to inJesus and Sam I can now clearly distinguish between head coverings as opposed to the hijab that is designed for women not to be noticed. So if I ever choose to wear a head covering I can make sure that that the head covering I choose cannot be confused with the Islamic hijab. And what’s really cool is that a lot of the ladies wear scarves and some even wear beautiful hats so I would fit right in even if I was wearing a scarf or headscarf. In particular the deacon’s wife has some of the most beautiful hats I’ve seen. Thank you everybody for your help I really appreciate it and thanks for the support and encouraging words as well. :tiphat:

You welcome sister in Christ, I wish you would have a peaceful mind throughout your life, however, one thing that I’m confused with, you keep mentioning that you love Turkey, I really don’t know (I hope our fellow Christians correct me here if I’m wrong), but why we should love an earthy country, why that should be equal or more important than loving Jesus & God the Most High, where were Turkey, US, SA, etc., before Jesus, countries & civilisations come and go, where is USSR nowadays?, don’t you think sister Aydan that our love should be devoted to The Kingdom of God instead of any earthy country.

 

[Aydan]

no that’s not what I mean by the word love. I guess a better way to say it is that I admire Turkey but as far the type of love that you’re speaking of the only person I love with my whole heart and mind is Jesus Christ that’s first and foremost in my life I love Christ with my heart and soul everything else that I enjoy is a gift from God after all it is the Holy Spirit itself that has given me the gift to be able to admire Turkey. I certainly don’t love it more than Christ though! So I hope that clears things up I guess I should be saying I really admire Turkey instead just as I admire the United States because that’s what I mean.

You welcome sister in Christ, I wish you would have a peaceful mind throughout your life, however, one thing that I’m confused with, you keep mentioning that you love Turkey, I really don’t know (I hope our fellow Christians correct me here if I’m wrong), but why we should love an earthy country, why that should be equal or more important than loving Jesus & God the Most High, where were Turkey, US, SA, etc., before Jesus, countries & civilisations come and go, where is USSR nowadays?, don’t you think sister Aydan that our love should be devoted to The Kingdom of God instead of any earthy country.

 

[adstrinity]

The proper way for a Catholic to show their love for the Turkish culture would be by donating to Greek & Armenian organizations.

 

[Aydan]

actually I found a perfect solution that works for me that allows me to show my admiration for Turkey and still remain in the Western Church as a Roman Catholic. I’m perfectly happy with having a small pendant to wear symbolizing Turkey. So I think that is the best way for me anywayI don’t think there are any Greek or Armenian organizations in my town anyway. I’m satisfied though because I was still have plenty of opportunities to interact to Turkish community outside of church. I’m already planning on donating my time with the Turkish Cultural Center we have in my city and also when Catholic refugee and immigration services who works with Turkish refugees in my city.
.

The proper way for a Catholic to show their love for the Turkish culture would be by donating to Greek & Armenian organizations.

 

[Aydan]

in light of my recent revelations after reading the other thread and having a new perspective I don’t think what they were objecting to was me actually wearing the head covering at all. What they were strenuously objecting to was the fact that I was equating it with representing Islam. Because you will remember in the previous thread how I kept saying that I wore it to show solidarity with Muslims and I respected the Quran and I kept referring to it as an Islamic hijab so I think that’s what they meant by scandal because suppose I went into church wearing something like the burqa where even my face is covered that would most certainly cause a major major disruption and scandal in the church because every one would wonder what in the world was I doing in a Catholic church! Can you imagine the news coverage it would cause if I did something like that! But now that I realized I should not wear the head covering in such a manner that could be confused with Islam nor I indicate I’m wearing hijab when I’m really notNow that I know its true meaning. But I missed the boat because of my misinterpretation of the word hijab and in the fact that they were questioning whether or not I was Catholic at all. Because I was focusing so much on that aspect I had blinders on side could not actually absorb the true focus of their message. It did not become clear to me until I found out the true meaning of the word hijab from inJesus only then did what they were saying begin to make any sense to me. so I think that’s what they meant by scandal. Please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Sam I don’t think we want to go there on this thread on the last thread it got so bad that I actually asked to have it shut down so I really don’t want to go there again that whole debate was so painful it has been perhaps the most painful experience of my entire four years in the church. So if you don’t mind can we not go there or can you start a new thread perhaps?

I’ve read in a previous thread, that the Hijab would cause some sort of a scandal if it was used by a Catholic women, however, I would like more clarification about that, but first let us differentiate between the different types of veils:

- Veil (normally used by Nuns):
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:OXLJkWw0UjLP5M:http://snipsnap.org/space/kingwong/nun.jpg

- Head-scarf (normally used for non religious purposes):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/500110329_6c599b3a48_o.jpg

- Hijab (mostly used by Muslim women worldwide):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_muslim_veils_and_headscarves/img/1.jpg

- Niqab & Burqa (mostly used by Muslim women in Gulf region plus Afghanistan):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_muslim_veils_and_headscarves/img/2.jpg

*- **Shayla ***(sometimes used by Muslim women in the Gulf region):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_muslim_veils_and_headscarves/img/3.jpg

- Khimar (mostly used by Muslim women in the Gulf region, Iraq, and Iran):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_muslim_veils_and_headscarves/img/4.jpg

Now which types of the above would cause a scandal and which would not?

 

[bpbasilphx]

That’s not fair,

I agree. How the Turks treat Christians is not fair.