i grew up with a sketchy knowledge of catholicism.
i wasn’t a catholic, and didn’t have any friends who attended the catholic church. i would pass the catholic church on my way to school or when i was going uptown on a saturday with my girlfriends and i would see a lot of the aboriginal ladies heading into bingo, wearing their rubber boots (that were shoes), headscarfs and skirts and thin purple jackets. i never went in to the catholic church really, until at 17 i was there for a funeral.
as i grew up, without knowing any more about catholicism, the main opinions i was influenced by was that catholicsm was full of hypocrisy, was a convenient religion and had very few real Christians. and i accepted that view. the only time i was around nuns and priests were at funerals or hospitals in crisis times, and there wasn’t much of a time to get to know about their religion then.
it took me 36 years to change that opinion. i have had lots of great catholic friends, but i always accounted them for the "few great" catholics i had been told did exist.
this weekend my opinion of catholicsm was completely altered. amazingly so.
i went on a walk to emmaus, a 72 hour religious retreat of sorts. there are emmaus retreats around the world, particularly in the united states. it was held at a catholic chapel and residence in hong kong.
stepping into the grounds, you knew you were somewhere God was. He always IS with us, to be sure, but the closeness was particularly evident here. the chapel was simple, but beautiful.
we were introduced to a sister, who was one of the spiritual leaders of the weekend. she was absolutely lovely. fantastic. interesting, funny, insightful and honest. it was such a pleasure to be around her. i didn’t have a preconceived notion about nuns, but this one was fantastic, and even her touch was calming and full of love, as were her eyes.
we met a father, and he was the most delightful and interesting man. he explained to us some of the "mysteries" of the catholic church, things that i had passed off as part of the ceremony and left it to that. but the reasons behind the ceremony were beautiful and meaningful.
i loved getting to know catholicism a little more intimately and i loved getting to know catholics better. i think there would be something incredibly comforting about knowing whatever catholic church you walk into around the world, the mass would be the same. even if you didn’t know the language, you would still know the words. and could respond in your tongue. you would know the rituals.
i think it is amazing that catholic church has remained itself since its inception. since the protestant reformation there have been thousands of church splits, but not in the catholic church.
show me a perfect church, and i will show you a church empty of people.
i am adding to my reading list a book about catholicism. i want to know more.
i had a fantastic weekend. i even took the time to cry. and listen, and not just to others. to listen to what i needed to understand.
and when it was all over, magnificent and i went out for dinner and talked about it. a perfect ending.
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6 Replies to “incense in my eyes”
I was baptised as a Catholic as an adult. Went through RCIA, had my baptism, confirmation and first communion at the Easter vigil in 1997.
I love praying the rosary. It is my all time favourite, to say the words that Gabriel spoke to Mary, sends shivers through me….
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
My daughter attended her first World Youth Day last summer in Cologne, Germany. She went with three girlfriends from high school, they toured England and western Europe, and then WYD. There were over a million people at the Saturday night vigil and final mass on Sunday morning. It was something she will never forget.
A book that has been of tremendous help to me is “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” It is more like a dictionary. It is a summary of what Catholics throughout the world believe in common. Catechism means “instruction”. It isn’t a book for light reading, more of a reference book.
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Now here is an interesting tid bit
cath·o·lic [ káthlik, káthəlik ] adjective
Definition:
1. all-inclusive: including or concerned with all people
2. useful to all: useful or interesting to a wide range of people
3. all-embracing: interested in or sympathetic to a wide range of things
[14th century. Via Latin < Greek katholikos "universal" < katholou "in general" < kata "in regard to" + holos "whole"] (From the Encarta online dictionary)
Sorry, I was raised a catholic, and will not go back. I have too many questions, and they give too many rote answers.
But, glad you enjoyed yourself.
There really are some benifits from aging.More knowledge is one of them.
Love, Dad
Or benefits for the great unwashed.
Hey Tess-
Just wanted to pop in and let you know I am thinking about you and miss you!
10th June 06
Dear Tess,
Emilia forwarded me your comments about the Emmaus Walk. I am an mic too. I’ve just returned from a short sabbatical in the States and so opened my e-mail only this morning. Thank you for being so open about your own experience and the impact Emi had on you. God, as you mentioned is present everywhere. But God also has ways of engaging us through others. Your apppreciation resonated in me and I cannot but respond to you.
The Catholic Church is made up of human beings who are on a journey to EMMAUS: A JOURNEY OF FAITH and LOVE, cushioned in HOPE. I pray that you will continue to meet other soujourners with whom you could share and journey. In union of prayers!