At lunch today some co-workers and I went to a Stations of the Cross service at a local Catholic church, in observance of Good Friday. This isn't something I normally do, but it was recommended as a unique experience, so I thought I'd check it out. I am not Catholic and have never attended a Catholic service in my life before today. I was raised Christian Evangelical, and by their standards I have now reserved a place for myself in hell.
The service was definitely a unique experience for me. I was not used to the formality and rigidity, and at one point wondered if I was being disrespectful by leaving my sunglasses on top of my head or not genuflecting when I was supposed to. That, by the way, is a new word I learned today. It sounds, and looks, a bit like a dance move. Do you genuflect?
I did appreciate the level of beauty and reverence in the ceremony. I think that tone is important when reflecting on what this day represents. However, I don't think I could envision myself being able to connect with God on a real level if every church service I attended was that formal and, well, rehearsed. I found myself more worried about making sure I was kneeling and standing when I was supposed to than I was paying attention to what the priest was saying. And on that note, I felt sorry for all the old people having to kneel and stand every 2 minutes. Catholicism is not a very ADA compliant religion.
Comments (2)
I've known people who've really been able to connect with the formality (such as my grandmother, who still goes to mass daily), and I find there's a certain elegance to mass myself. Stations of the cross, by the way, is one of the most rigid of all the services given by the catholic church. It is, from my recollection, much unlike a typical mass. But church is as church does. Everyone has their own preferences as far as their way to worship. Which is why I belong to the "Praise bands annoy God" facebook group.
Genuflecting was always sort of optional where I was, though I don't know if that was the norm. I did it occasionally but wasn't into it. Once you've been to a standard mass a few times, following along with the stand-sit-kneel-sit-kneel-stand or whatever is really not difficult. They always occur in the same places, so it's not distracting. There should have been a bulletin available to you to help out with that.
As for the sunglasses... I have no clue. You didn't take communion, though, did you? That's a big no-no in the catholic church, because they only recognize those who've been through the catholic first communion.
I've been practicing lent-lite the last forty days, and I have to say, I appreciate the austerity of the tradition. Sometimes us non-denominational folks just don't have to give up much for God as prescribed by the church. That's too bad, I think.
What did you think about people crossing themselves? I still catch myself doing it sometimes. Don't know why. Vestige of my youth.
Posted by kelly | March 22, 2008 2:11 AM
Posted on March 22, 2008 02:11
I went to Catholic mass this weekend myself. I have to say, there are nice things about the formality of it all, but it seems like it's all old people that go to Catholic Church. It's hard to really get involved in a church whose only attenders are people 30+ years older than you are.
Posted by tfg | March 24, 2008 9:14 AM
Posted on March 24, 2008 09:14