RUNNING HEAD: THE CULTURE OF CATHOLICISM

The Culture of Catholicism

Candis Bates
University of Kentucky

http://blog.adw.org/2014/04/come-down-from-the-corss-and-we-will-believe-a-meditation-on-crucial-decision-by-jesus/

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Abstract

In this growing culture and worldwide religion, Catholicism, particularly specific beliefs lead
and format the everyday lives of its believers. With everything from reflex decision making
skills to critically punctual time requirements, Catholics mold themselves into respectful and
dedicated human beings. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, the bond with Jesus Christ is
fulfilling and enriching in all aspects of life. Spiritual bonding is emphasized along with a
positive life morale, fierce devotion to the Church, and an uncanny faith in this Roman Catholic
religion.

Key Words: Catholicism, spiritual, devotion, Church, faith

RUNNING HEAD: THE CULTURE OF CATHOLICISM

Have you ever questioned why human beings do the reflexive things that we do on a
daily basis? As days pass, unrecognized, unintended, and unsought objectives unknowingly
declare and influence our lifestyles. Culture defines simple yet significant aspects of our lives
almost constantly as we base and bias our worlds around, more or less, what we believe is truly
right. Representing over half of the worlds Christian population, Roman Catholics generate and
depict a passionate faith and unbreakable bond with Jesus Christ throughout their religion. Easily
surpassing one billion members, the practice of Catholicism allows its followers to mold their
daily, weekly, and yearly routines around their inseparable and life altering belief and trust in our
one Holy God. Catholics visualize what is morally right as body and soul unification, driving
Catholics to dedicate, instruct, and format their lives accordingly with the internally acceptable
methods of the Bible. While faith is displayed as a way of life for this religion, members of the
Catholic Church allow all characteristics to portray such fervent confidence in our praised savior.
In all forms from Sunday mass to unwavering fasts and abstinence pledges, Catholics devote
their body and soul whole heartedly to the worldwide religion.
Initially, to entirely grasp and appreciate Catholicism, one must understand exactly what
that means. This Christian oriented religion refers to Catholics as members of the Roman
Catholic Church who share various beliefs, ways of worship, and a very distinctive outlook on
life. Catholics are particularly unique in the idea that they are both monotheistic, the doctrine that
there is only one God, but believers of the Holy Trinity -- the idea of three Gods in one. The
Holy Trinity is also willingly embraced by Catholics who truly believe that the one Supreme
Being consists of three sanctions: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Catholics normally belong to local churches, or parishes, and gather weekly to worship in unity.
Originating in ancient Rome and founded by Jesus Christ himself, Catholicism offers a

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distinguishable perspective on the world and life overall. The Catholic perspective sees
everything as being intrinsically created good but with the potential of being abused (Trigilio &
Brighenti, 2003). Rather than giving followers a generic list of dos and donts, this religion
encourages utilizing individual intellect, well-developed consciences, and natural morale. Using
ones good judgment, predetermined ethics, and common sense is key when making honorable
decisions as a Catholic. To make a long story short, Catholicism is essentially the practice of
Roman Catholic Christianity while employing faith into every day traditions.
Faith, while first and foremost emphasized in the practice of Catholicism, requires its
followers to utterly believe in something in which cannot be proven. This can undoubtedly be
one of the hardest concepts of a creed; how does one whole-heartedly believe in something you
cant physically touch or personally witness? Prideful answers from most lifelong Catholics will
destine you to one answer: Faith. Sister Mary Karen, instructor at Lexington, Kentuckys most
known Catholic school system, implied confidently that I had never met my great grand-father in
person without error but believed that the man I saw in family photos was, indeed, my great
grand-father. This is your faith, she implied, All aspects of life require faith, and religion is no
exception to that (personal communication, October 2, 2014). Such fierce faith is an admirable
characteristic in this practice, allowing Catholics worldwide to read and study the Holy Bible as
the error free and original word of God. An unspeakable trust fulfills the hearts and minds of
Catholics while external aspects of faith also sustain their ways of worship.
Aside from internal beliefs, external beliefs also account for an immense amount of
requirements from the practice. Remarkably, Holy Mass, is a respected expectation taken on by
attendees. Mass is a daily and weekly church service substituting as the reenactment of Jesus
Christ celebrating the Last Supper and Good Friday, when he died to pursue everlasting life in

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Heaven for humankind. During this worshiped tradition, bread and wine are consumed as highly
symbolic norms. Diverse locations, cultures, and languages participate in this famous form of
worship, but only bread and wine are used in Mass; no substitutions, no exceptions. Contrary to
popular belief, Mass attendance is practically mandatory on Sundays. This moral obligation is
considered a grave sin when contradicted without reason. Although, belonging to such a
forgiving crowd does have its perks, Catholics are technically given some leeway in the art of
weekly worship. Universally allowed beginning in 1983, the tradition of Vigil Mass came about,
where a service is held on Saturday evening rather than Sunday (Trigilio & Brighenti, 2003).
Aiming to offer convenience for Catholics that had to work on Sundays, this new practice was
rationalized by the Jewish tradition after sundown meaning the next calendar day making Vigil
accountable for your Sunday obligations. Whether your primary source of worship falls under a
Saturday or Sunday, Catholicism constantly requires commitment to embrace the unwritten word
of God; unity.
Despite the Churchs roots in Rome, it is not just an Italian church. Universally, the
nature of the Catholic parish has successfully traveled worldwide. Unrestricting to any nation,
race, age, country, or culture, the Church has maintained its unity within diversity since Christ
walked the Earth. The word Catholic literally translates into universal; Jesus intentions were
to create a Church that would unify mankind. Continuity is kept from one side of the world to the
other through one set of laws, known as canon law, which governs the entire Church. The pope,
or supreme lawgiver, resides in Rome and authorizes one deposit of faith, meaning one set of
doctrines dictate the entire Church. Catholics on all continents everywhere in the world believe
the same articles of faith, (Trigilio & Brighenti, 2003). The unity of the faith involves, once
again, the whole body both physically and emotionally. This is why Catholics often use different

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postures, such as kneeling, sitting, standing, or bowing. Catholics tend to position themselves on
the conservative side of life. While dressing conservatively, speaking conservatively, and acting
conservatively puts a Catholic at ease, it is believed that Catholics do not judge harshly against
transgressors. Catholics strive to believe in things, not against them. For example, science and
reason arent viewed as enemies of faith, but rather cooperators in seeking truth. Aside from
serious matters such as worship, faith, and unity, being a Catholic is also reason to celebrate!
The precepts of the Church, or minimum requirements for being a Catholic, are fairly
basic. Along with obeying the marriage laws of your denomination or helping support your
Church financially, numerous times of celebration are also called upon! Many days of the
calendar year commemorate in the special life of Jesus Christ. Both fasts and feasts consume a
large proportion of Catholic holidays, while universal holidays such as Christmas and St.
Patricks Day are Roman Catholic holidays. Christmas and Christmas Eve, serving as a Christian
feast of the birth of Jesus, are merely honored days of our Saviors first-coming. Though, of
equal importance, the four weeks preceding Christmas has been deemed Advent, or a time to
prepare the way of the Lord for his coming as our King. In other honors, the entire month of
May is dedicated to Mary, the birth mother of our Jesus. Is this a coincidence that Mothers Day
is included in the month of May? Mary is of huge significance in the Catholic religion because
she innocently gave life to our reigning King. Time of Advert allows Catholics to fruitfully
immerse in celebration that morally intertwines with their faiths. Each and every Catholic
holiday is admirable for continuing the holiness and unity of the creed throughout traditions and
symbols alike.
Symbolic factors institutionalize Catholics lives equally as well. From artistically
painted windows throughout the Church to purified waters, oils, and bread and wine during

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Mass, symbolic senses connect the physical body to the emotional world. The cross, an
extremely powerful symbol of the Roman religion, consists of two lines: a vertical line and a
horizontal line. The vertical line signifies ones personal relationship with God himself, one that
only they can utilize. The horizontal line represents that emotional obligation and morale duty to
belong to the faith family under the parish. Belonging to a parish comes with more advantages
than disadvantages. When entering a Church, a person gains an emotion based family who takes
pride in your success and happiness; you acquire a family who wants to pray for and with you
both mentally and physically. Once you attain a general knowledge for the faith, the second step
entails trust. The act of answering yes, when asked if you believe is indeed expected in
Catholicism. Finally, after learning and accepting these faiths, practicing them will determine
whether or not youre worthy of the implementation. Obeying the rules isnt just reflexive;
believers are expected to transform their faiths into actions. Trigilio and Brighenti communicate
the process of Catholics being taught that all men and women are made and have been saved in
the image and likeliness of God (2003). With this in mind, if one truly believes in given faiths
and symbols, he or she must act as if they genuinely mean it. If one can achieve and maintain
lifestyles formed around these concepts, Catholicism is as rewarding a gift as any.
2,000 years later, 265 popes later, and 1 billion members later, the realization of
Catholicisms impact on the world must be critical to their success (Trigilio & Brighenti, 2003).
Why Catholicism, one may ask? If perhaps, in exchange for undivided faith, one is rewarded
with everlasting life, the pros would outweigh the cons. Catholics undergo more than a religious
practice; they undergo a way of life. With burning passion and faith for their unquestioned
beliefs, accumulated bonds, and optimized outlooks on the world, Catholicism gives a worshiper
the sturdy and trustworthy foundations that they would have otherwise been left searching for.

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Peace of mind, heart, and soul unify this culture as one throughout their battle against the worlds
evils. With such strengthening ties to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, Catholics, if any,
have a true insight to the path to Heaven.

http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/gp_art_m4.htm

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Reference List
GOOSEN, G. (2014). On Being Less Catholic and More Christian. Compass (10369686), 48(2),
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Horlek, J. (2003). Bring on the holidays?!. New Presence: The Prague Journal Of Central
European Affairs, 5(1), 4.
Laiiness, T. J. (2009). A Passion for Christ. Seminary Journal, 15(2), 31-42.
Karen, M. Sister. (2014, October 2). Personal Interview.
Slay, T. Sister. (2014, October 4). Personal Interview.
Trigilio, J., Brighenti, K. (2003). Catholicism for Dummies: A Reference for the Rest of Us!
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing Inc.