Aug. 21-Meanings Behind Every Turn.

Hello Again,

Did you know when you walk in a Catholic church in Italy and then do the same thing in America, we have a lot of the same things! Neat right! I did not know this until this class.  We went on a church tour and I truly learned more than I could ever remember, but I loved it! Thus, on here I am going to give a brief breakdown of the meanings of things I was told and what was awesome to me. :)

1. Baptismal Font/pool.   At the church I go to, Holy Spirit, it is soo tiny.  This may be very common in many Catholic churches BUT in the Baptist church we had what looked like a massive jacuzzi behind the pulpit and praise band area.
2. Holy Water.  This is in every church.  It is very common to be placed by each entrance to the church so that when one walks in they may place their first two fingers in it and then do the sign of the cross on themselves as a reminder of their baptism.  Random Fact I learned: You do NOT have to be Catholic to do this.  If you were baptized, feel free!
3. The Paschal Candle-This is a candle that should also be in every catholic church.  It is a symbol of Christ. The light of the world.
4. Ambry-  This is the area that contains three vessels of oils.  I think it was the thing I struggled to find the most!!  Random Fact:The three vessels are the oil for anointing the sick, the oil for anointing catechumens, and chrism for baptism, confirmation, priesthood and the consecration of altars. The bishop blesses these oils in large containers at the chrism Mass every year. Then they are poured into smaller vessels and brought to all the parishes of the diocese.
5. Stations of the Cross- This is self explanatory in a way.  This is images that are on the walls of the church (like a canvas hung) that show the stations of Christ with the cross.  I had no idea this was in every Catholic church but thought it was great that it was.
6. Corporal- the altar cloth that is slightly smaller than the alter and the Paten (container holding the host) and the Chalice are both placed on.
 There are so many other things in a Catholic church, and I am kind of tired so I will list them and you can look up what you don't know.  Roman Missal, Altar Wine, Lavabo Dish, Host, Ciborium, Sanctuary Light, Chasuble and Dalmatic, Vestments, Stole, Asperguillum, Monstrance, Thurible, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Mother Theodore Guerin, and special stained glass window!

There were so many things to learn during this tour but what I will say is the main thing I learned is Unity.  The fact that within the Catholic faith no matter where a believer is they truly just want you to feel united in every way possible!