Category: Catholic Religious Rules

Catholic Doctrine, Dogma, or Discipline

Catholic Doctrine, Dogma, or Discipline

It can be confusing when discussing the various terms related to Catholic Teaching. Doctrine is Church Teaching in matters of faith and morals that Catholics must believe and follow (Catholics have no choice). Some doctrine is taught by the Church but not considered infallible, some doctrine is infallibly taught by the Church, and finally some doctrine is taught infallibly and also considered divinely revealed by God–AKA Dogma. Church discipline is also considered teaching, but, unlike Doctrine, it can be changed with approval of appropriate Church authority.

Keep Your Fingers Together

Keep Your Fingers Together

You might see a priest hold his thumbs and forefingers together after touching the host during the Offertory and Consecration in order to protect and preserve even the smallest particles of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. He will touch nothing else [other than the Eucharist] until these fingers can be rinsed during the cleansing of the Sacred Vessels. This was stipulated in the Rubrics of the Traditional Latin Mass. It is no longer mandatory in the Novus Ordo but many priests recognize how appropriate and correct it is to have this reverence for the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ and how this reverence can spread to their flocks. All priests should consider picking up this beautiful and appropriate habit.

Genuflecting in Mass

Genuflecting in Mass

It is common practice to genuflect as one enters a church pew or passes by the tabernacle with the most Holy Eucharist present. In recent years, however, lectors and others approaching the altar only bow, even if perfectly able to genuflect. Assuming the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (for the Novus Ordo), regarding the norms for those other than the priest or deacon, it says “all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.” (paragraph 274). Lectors and others approaching the altar should always genuflect.

Papal Conclave: Locked In

Papal Conclave: Locked In

In 1268, the Cardinals started deliberating over who should replace the recently deceased Pope Clement IV. Familial and political alliances caused long, seemingly never ending debates. After three years of sede vacante, the locals in Rome decided to lock the bickering Cardinals in and limit their rations until a new Pope was elected. They elected Pope Gregory X, who would go on to implement Papal Conclave rules similar to what we have today.

Fasting On Fridays

Fasting On Fridays

While most Catholics aren’t taught to observe this, every Friday of the year is considered a day of penance and Roman Catholics should abstain from meat.  According to Canon Law (1249 – 1253), there are some allowances for substitutes but you should generally abstain on Fridays.