Why do Catholics do that?

[Hoonbaba]

Hey guys,

I've been wondering: Does anyone know of any great pages that explain why do Catholics do what they do? I never really thought about why we sign the cross from left to right, as opposed to the East where they do it from right to left. I know about why we genuflect as it was based on a Roman practice, and I found out the reason for our signing left to right as it also relates to an ancient Roman practice. But are there any great websites that explain all the symbolism? Even though I am a convert to the Church and fully understand the doctrines, I realize I know virtually nothing about all the details of our Catholic culture.

I just found out we say 'lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy" during Mass as invoking all three persons of the trinity. It just never clicked until I read about that. And I'm eager to know all the details of the mass

Perhaps this can become a sticky thread later on

-Jason

 

[garydench]

As a convert as well, such a website would be useful...

 

[Irenaeus]

Maybe you could go on google or yahoo and look up, "Latin Mass Symbolism"?

I did something similar for the Byzantine Rite and found some wonderful pages.

 

[Alexis OCA]

Hey guys,

I've been wondering: Does anyone know of any great pages that explain why do Catholics do what they do? I never really thought about why we sign the cross from left to right, as opposed to the East where they do it from right to left. I know about why we genuflect as it was based on a Roman practice, and I found out the reason for our signing left to right as it also relates to an ancient Roman practice. But are there any great websites that explain all the symbolism? Even though I am a convert to the Church and fully understand the doctrines, I realize I know virtually nothing about all the details of our Catholic culture.

I just found out we say 'lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy" during Mass as invoking all three persons of the trinity. It just never clicked until I read about that. And I'm eager to know all the details of the mass

Perhaps this can become a sticky thread later on

-Jason

Jason,

Check this site out:

http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/beingcatholic.html

It is full of wonderful information. It is a bit "traditional" in its overall church-view but the site is accurate and very informative. I think you will like it.

From a more contemporary perspective this site may also be very helpful to you:

http://www.anawim.pair.com/CATHOLICS/INFO.htm

Warm regards.

 

[Acceptance]

There's a book called "Why Do Catholics Do That?" by Kevin Orlin Johnson. It's a very good book for looking up various things. It's formatted well such that you don't have to read the book cover to cover but rather can go directly to what you're looking for. ($14.00)

 

[Ann M]

Also try:


www.catholic.com

http://forums.catholic.com/

www.newadvent.org

also has a quick questions page that may be helpful too.

www.newadvent.org/library/almanac_thisrock.htm

 

[Hoonbaba]

Acceptance, I wish I could get the book, but unfortunately it's not available here in Korea.

Anyway, I'll check out all the sites you guys listed =)

God bless!

-Jason

 

[bigsierra]

This is a book I got a lot out of:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_3/102-4176409-6864167?v=glance&s=books

 

[Hoonbaba]

lol i like the cover of that =)