Why do Catholics do that?
Why did the Magi give gifts to Jesus? The Magi knew that they were traveling to greet a new king and brought gifts that were appropriate at the time for a king. Over the years, the Church has reinterpreted the gifts in terms of Jesus' life. They gave him gold to recognize his royalty. The expensive gift of Frankincense, often burned to carry prayers to Heaven, was a symbol of Jesus' priesthood. His last gift, Myrrh, was used in burial preparations, a sign that Jesus would suffer and die for us.
What do Catholics view as the unforgivable sin? God always forgives us and loves us immensely. But we need to respond to that love. We need to not only turn from our sins but also ask for God's mercy. And God will forgive us!
All sin is forgivable for the one who repents of it and turns to God for his mercy. However, Scripture tells us of the one unforgivable sin, the so-called sin against the Holy Spirit. (Mark 3:29)
The Church interprets this passage this way: The one unforgivable sin is the refusal to accept God's gift of mercy through repentance. If a person freely rejects forgiveness and the gift of salvation offered by the Holy Spirit, then God does not force his love on the person. Such a person has a "hard heart" that refuses to accept God's love.
Why do Catholics use Holy water? Water is a sign of purification and of baptism. Holy water - that is, water that has been ceremonially blessed - is a sacramental. Sacramentals are "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments by which the faithful are given access to the stream of divine grace which flows from the paschal mystery of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ - the fountain from which all sacraments and sacramentals draw their power" [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, No. 60 Second Vatican Council Documents]. Some other common sacramentals are blessed palm, candles, medals priestly blessings and other prayers.
Catholic churches have basins or fonts containing holy water near the entrance so that believers can dip their fingers in it before making the sign of the cross as they enter the House of God as a symbol of purification. This simple gesture reminds believers of their consecration to Christ in baptism, and visibly indicates their acceptance of the Catholic faith. The blessed water is available for members of the parish to keep at home to use for special prayers and blessings. A bottle of holy water used to be found in virtually every Catholic home, but the private use of holy water has diminished, probably because people no longer know what it is used for or how to use it. However, it is a very powerful sign and children especially love to learn to use holy water to bless a wreath or flowers or any other special religious activities used in the home as a sign of consecration to the Lord. It would be good to have a small bowl of holy water near the entrance door of the house for family members to use during Lent.
Holy water at St. James is in the small room to the left as you enter the adoration room behind the altar.
Why were bells rung during the Mass? The ringing of bells at the Consecration signifies the holiest moment of the Mass, an appropriate symbol of reverent rejoicing. In the Middle Ages, before stereo audio-microphones, people way in the back of a Gothic cathedral could barely hear anything that the priest was saying, so they needed a signal that the Consecration was happening. That signal was the ringing of bells. Often, bells are still rung today when the priest elevates the Host, and again, when the priest elevates the Chalice.
"Why does the Priest wash his hands during the Mass?" The washing is a ceremonial relic of the Jewish tradition present at the time of Jesus. At that time, the high priest washed his hands before making the sacrifice of killing an unblemished, spotless lamb in the Temple of Jerusalem on the day of Passover. So, too, celebrating Mass today, the priest prepares to offer up the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) to God the Father, so he ceremonially washes his hands to offer a spotless sacrifice.
"What do Catholics believe about Adam and Eve?" Catholics don't believe in the literal interpretation of the Genesis story of Adam and Eve. The Catechism explains belief in original sin as Genesis giving a figurative account of a "primeval event" that occurred at the beginning of humankind's existence. Our first parents - regardless of what names they had - sinned. And their sin was larger than them. Its roots were in the kind of evil that exists in opposition to God. So as a Catholic you don't have to believe in Adam and Eve as historic person, but you do have to believe in the original sin of humanity, a sin that leaves a mark on every human since the very first.
"Why Are Catholics required to go to Mass on Sunday?" The Catholic Church tells us we have an obligation to go to Mass every Sunday and to refrain from unnecessary work. It doesn't tell us that another day of the week fulfills this obligation. From the beginning, the Church has seen this as the primary fulfillment of the 3rd Commandment: Keep holy the Sabbath day (the Christian Sabbath being the Lord's Day).
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 2180: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."
CCC 2181 goes on to state: "The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obligated to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin." (Sunday is considered a day of obligation.)
At the heart of the Mass is the Eucharist. It is the source of life for all Catholics who believe that bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ. It is not just a symbol of God, but God made physically present to us in a way we don't experience through prayer alone.
Pope Pius X declared "Holy Communion is the shortest and surest way to heaven."
This is not a rule the Church makes for rules' sake. It makes it for our sake. It is just that important for each one of our lives.
"Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you." John 6:54
"Why do priests wear different color vestments?" The color of the vestment sets a tone and indicates the nature of the liturgical feast or season.
"Why do Catholics honor St. Nicholas during Advent?" A powerful observance of Advent is performing charitable works as demonstrated by St. Nicholas. A fourth-century bishop of Myra, in what is now Turkey, Nicholas was the son of wealthy parents who died while he was a child. Legend has it that he gave freely of his inherited fortune to people in need. Through the centuries, this legendary generosity has been linked to the generous gift-giving embodied by the figure of Santa Claus. St. Nicholas' feast day is December 6th.
"Why do Catholics offer Masses for the dead?" From the days of the early Church, Catholics have been encouraged to pray and sacrifice for the dead. Just as we pray for others here on earth, we are encouraged by the Church to pray for souls who may be in purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a "purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven," and "encourages us not to hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them"
Why is our Church called "Catholic"? The word "catholic" comes from the Greek, "katholikos." It means "throughout the whole" or "universal." The first record of the Church being called "Catholic" quotes a first-century letter St. Ignatius wrote to the Smyrnaeans, "Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." St. Cyril of Jerusalem wrote, "Now it (the Church) is called Catholic because it is throughout the world, from one end of the earth to the other."
Why do Catholics perform works of charity? While on earth, Jesus told us to care for the poor and needy. In Matthew 25:31-46, he said there is a great reward for obedience and a strong punishment for neglect. As a result, “The exercise of charity became established as one of the Church’s essential activities, along with the administration of the sacraments and the proclamation of the Word… the Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word” (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est).
Why do Catholics get ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday? To ancient Jews, wearing sackcloth and covering themselves or sitting in ashes showed repentance and humility, and acted as a penance. Thus, the early Church adopted the practice of wearing ashes at the start of Lent to show repentance too. The ashes today remind us to "Turn away from sin and remain faithful to the Gospel" and that our time on earth will pass away but our life in Heaven will last forever.
Why do we believe that the Pope is head of the Church? Jesus gave Peter his name, which means Rock, and declared that he will build his church on the Rock. Jesus also gave Peter "the keys to the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 16:19). In Jesus' day, the person who held the keys to the kingdom represented the king, and acted with his authority. So he was signaling that Peter was given a special role of leadership. Catholics believe that the authority given to St Peter did not end with his death but is passed to his successors who also become head of the Church.
Why do we sing carols at Christmas? The word "carol" means song of joy. St. Francis of Assisi first introduced the joyous spirit of caroling to Europe in the 13th century. He created nativity plays in which actors sang the story of Christ’s birth in the language of the audience. St Francis encouraged the listeners to join in. In time, the carols traveled from Italy to the rest of Europe and then to the United States. Today’s custom has carolers go from house to house singing Christmas songs of joy.
What is Canon Law? Canon Law is the official body of laws for the Catholic Church that govern faith, morals, and discipline. These laws assist the Church in carrying out her mission to the world and direct the various relationships between persons, offices, and groups within the Church. Only a pope or an ecumenical council has the authority to create canon law or interpret it for the universal Church. The legal system of the Catholic Church is the oldest such system continually operating in the world.
Why do Catholics say “Amen” at the end of some prayers? In Hebrew, the word “Amen” shares the same root as the word “believe.” This root also expresses trustworthiness and faithfulness. When you read the gospels, you’ll see that Jesus sometimes used the word “Amen” twice in a row to emphasize the trustworthiness of his teaching. He wanted his listeners to pay special attention. So when we say “Amen” at the end of a prayer, we reinforce our faith in what we just said. We also express our confidence that God will hear our prayers.
Why do Catholics give the Sign of Peace during Mass? The first words Jesus said to his apostles after his Resurrection were : "Peace be with you" (John 20:21). After that their fear disappeared. By offering each other the Sign of Peace at Mass, we share that peace with the entire Body of Christ. Jesus also told us to reconcile with one another before approaching the altar of God (Matthew 5:23). Thus, the Sign of Peace is a gesture of Reconciliation with those around us before coming to the altar to receive Holy Communion.
Why do Catholics make three crosses before the Gospel? After the priest presents the gospel, we respond with "Glory to you, Lord" and make three little signs of the cross. The first cross goes on our foreheads so that the Word may be in our thoughts and purify our minds. We make the second cross on our lips so that our words may be holy and share the Gospel with others. We make the third cross on our hearts, inviting God to write his Word there and to strengthen our love.
Why do Catholics make the Sign of the Cross? Back in the second century when this practice began, it was common to honor a ruler with a gesture of respect. Whether bowing down on one knee or touching the forehead, such gestures were ritual ways to show humility before a person of great power. The Sign of the Cross became one such devotion to the Holy Trinity, and acted as a sign of recognition between early Christians who were sometimes forced to worship in secret. Now a prayer in itself, each time we make the Sign of the Cross we express respect for God and call down his blessings on ourselves.
Why do Catholics bless themselves when entering and leaving church? Old Testament Jews washed with water before entering the Temple precincts. Building on a ritual familiar to the Jews, John the Baptist used water to represent repentance of sin and purification. So when we cross ourselves with holy water entering and leaving the church, we recall that history. But we also refer to our Baptism when the priest used water to symbolize the washing away of our sins and to protect us from evil.
Why do Catholics use rituals? Our everyday awareness of God comes to us through our senses: Sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. They are the pathways to the deepest parts of our imagination and understanding. Some rituals of the Church go back to the times when few people could read or write—but they could be drawn to Jesus by using their senses. Now we use sacred music, bells, incense, poetic prayers—they all plant our faith deep in our body and bones as Catholics.