(Ed.'s Note: Those of us who were born and raised Catholic during our young year but who have not been practicing the faith and perhaps dallied with evangelism, are probably not up to snuff on some of the religious customs practiced in the local churches.
Just yesterday, at about 6 p.m., we were drawn to the mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, itself a testament to the faith of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Peter Yves Keralum who designed it, and the local believers who donated their labor to construct it way back then in the 1850s.
We were struck that the saints and the altar of the cathedral were covered with dark cloth. In asking, we were told that the custom of covering the religious images during the height of Lent was done so as to draw all attention to be centered on the Passion and death of Christ and not to distract from the real meaning of the celebration of the passion and resurrection.
Even the receptacles where the faithful dip their hands to bless themselves with holy water have been covered at the entrance of the cathedral and there in only one available inside. On Thursday, they celebrated the Last Supper before the Crucifixion.
We have a many great number of religions in this city, and historically have always had. Whether Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Evangelical, etc., all practice their faith as they believe it. Or not at all. This weekend culminates in the Ascension of the Christ for Christians and we respect their faith. We wish all our readers a Happy Easter and may peace be with you and everyone.)
2 comments:
That’s how it should always be in any Christ following church, the focus on CHRIST, not false idols. I don’t understand the need to pray to “saints”, we have Jesus.
Raised Catholic does not mean squat. Most folks that were raised Catholic, have abandoned the Church and the faith it represents for a life of sin.
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