Watching Mass on EWTN (observations)

I admire the beauty of the music but this is where I fall off the cart: On one side of the Roman Catholic Church you have this group of people who take vows of poverty and then we have all of this lavish glorification of one man. I do however like zee way zee Pope speaks to zee people.

One prayer... "To all those who died marked with the sign of faith especially our brothers and sisters in the priesthood... that they might attain the fullness of life in the Kingdom of heaven."

It just really sounds like we're trying to pray them in to heaven. Is that really what they believe?

Comments

[sista]

I don't think they believe that. A Catholic explained the whole Mary thing to me in the way that we pray for each other, it's like having Mary and some of the others pray. Or something.

I sound like I know what I'm talking about but I don't.

[m2]

in a sense, pastor, yes. it is what they are doing -- most Catholics believe all (save for a mere handful of the faithful) spend some time in Purgatory prior to entering into heaven with God, that there is some stain of sin on their souls when they depart, regardless of how "good" or "holy" they were during life. saying a prayer for someone who has passed away is sort of like an encouragement to lessen their time in Purgatory, if i remember what i was taught correctly. the argument, so to speak, has been that God cannot be in the presence of sin.

however, I recall that Jesus Christ (God in the form of Man) came down from heaven and dwelt among us. i believe we are all sinful and sorrowful and yet, He lived among the sinners --- ate and drank with them purposefully --- so that sort of negates that argument, eh?

i believe when i die, close my eyes -- and yes, i am still a practicing Catholic - that i will be with the Lord when i open them again. whatever purgation i am going through now will hopefully suffice :)

(hope i helped and didn't hinder...)

penni