Comments on: Five Ways Catholic Churches in Italy Differ from in the US http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/ Living and Traveling in Calabria, Italy Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:49:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rita http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-4197 Rita Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:50:59 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-4197 I was recently in southern Italy at a 15th century church. I was shocked when no one kneeled at the Consecration. I just looked around and couldn't believe it. After Communion I knelt down and found that I was the only one. I found the Italians to be very irreverent even though there are saints all over the place. My sister-in-law said that in America people have more respect for the Church. Hard to believe. The dress in church was worse than we are here in America.   <strong><em>Yes, it is quite shocking when they don't kneel and when they hang out at the door on their cell phone. My mother was surprised, as well. She assumed they'd be more religious since they are closer to the Vatican.</em></strong>   I was recently in southern Italy at a 15th century church. I was shocked when no one kneeled at the Consecration. I just looked around and couldn’t believe it. After Communion I knelt down and found that I was the only one. I found the Italians to be very irreverent even though there are saints all over the place. My sister-in-law said that in America people have more respect for the Church. Hard to believe. The dress in church was worse than we are here in America.
 
Yes, it is quite shocking when they don’t kneel and when they hang out at the door on their cell phone. My mother was surprised, as well. She assumed they’d be more religious since they are closer to the Vatican.
 

]]> By: Alex http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-4058 Alex Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:51:09 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-4058 Wonderful stuff Cherrye! Fascinating - I'd often wondered about this, but so far have not managed to get myself to church on time! Cheers, Alex   <strong><em>LOL. Very funny, Alex. The thing is, in Italy, you don't have to be on time!! </em></strong>   <abbr><em>Alex’s last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BlogFromItaly/~3/424985670/" rel="nofollow">Expat B&Bs in Italy</a></em></abbr> Wonderful stuff Cherrye!

Fascinating – I’d often wondered about this, but so far have not managed to get myself to church on time!

Cheers,

Alex
 
LOL. Very funny, Alex. The thing is, in Italy, you don’t have to be on time!!
 
Alex’s last blog post..Expat B&Bs in Italy

]]> By: Marmie http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3933 Marmie Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:40:06 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3933 What about church attire? Respond, please. Marmie   <strong><em>Pretty casual like we are back at home. Maybe even more casual on a whole ...</em></strong> What about church attire? Respond, please.
Marmie
 
Pretty casual like we are back at home. Maybe even more casual on a whole …

]]> By: Italy News: 11.09.08 | Italy Travel Guide http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3853 Italy News: 11.09.08 | Italy Travel Guide Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:51:33 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3853 [...] I’m not a religious person, but I like going to church in Italy - even when I didn’t speak Italian, I still kind of knew what was going on, because I’d been to Catholic services in the US. But this interesting post from My Bella Vita points out five ways Catholic churches in Italy are different from their US counterparts. [...] [...] I’m not a religious person, but I like going to church in Italy – even when I didn’t speak Italian, I still kind of knew what was going on, because I’d been to Catholic services in the US. But this interesting post from My Bella Vita points out five ways Catholic churches in Italy are different from their US counterparts. [...]

]]> By: Anon http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3826 Anon Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:03:58 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3826 I've been to church in Lamezia Terme about a dozen times and noticed that it is largely sex-segregated at mass. When we go to mass with family there, when we get to the church, I am expected to go with the women toward the front of the church in the section on either side of the main aisle. Most of the men, including my honey, sit toward the back or in one of the sections off the main aisle. That's the diff that stands out to me the most b/c I'm suddenly without my main ally. But I've also definitely noticed the processional, the kneeling (or lack thereof) and the practice of only putting coins in the offering too!   <strong><em>Oooh, interesting. I will pay more attention to this next time I go. From what I remember, though our group mixes well. LOL. I would definitely not want to sit alone - or with the women. P usually has to translate a bit throughout the Mass.</em></strong> I’ve been to church in Lamezia Terme about a dozen times and noticed that it is largely sex-segregated at mass. When we go to mass with family there, when we get to the church, I am expected to go with the women toward the front of the church in the section on either side of the main aisle. Most of the men, including my honey, sit toward the back or in one of the sections off the main aisle. That’s the diff that stands out to me the most b/c I’m suddenly without my main ally. But I’ve also definitely noticed the processional, the kneeling (or lack thereof) and the practice of only putting coins in the offering too!
 
Oooh, interesting. I will pay more attention to this next time I go. From what I remember, though our group mixes well. LOL. I would definitely not want to sit alone – or with the women. P usually has to translate a bit throughout the Mass.

]]> By: Jennifer http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3816 Jennifer Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:36:59 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3816 I am not Catholic so I am not familiar with the Catholic churches here in the US, but I would like to say that I was not thrilled when I heard there will be a Mormon temple built in Rome. I realize that all religions have a right to any place they choose to settle (ok, almost) but after seeing Rome, I struggle with them putting a temple there. Don't get me wrong, Mormon temples are beautiful but do you think it will take away from the history and feel that Rome has to offer? Thank you for this post though, I am enjoying getting more familiar with the difference between the US and Italy!   <strong><em>I think it could become part of the history of Rome and show how the world is evolving. People are always hesitant about adding new architecture to beautiful places ... look at the pyramid at the Lourve in Paris. Some Parisians love it-others hate it. </em></strong> I am not Catholic so I am not familiar with the Catholic churches here in the US, but I would like to say that I was not thrilled when I heard there will be a Mormon temple built in Rome. I realize that all religions have a right to any place they choose to settle (ok, almost) but after seeing Rome, I struggle with them putting a temple there. Don’t get me wrong, Mormon temples are beautiful but do you think it will take away from the history and feel that Rome has to offer? Thank you for this post though, I am enjoying getting more familiar with the difference between the US and Italy!
 
I think it could become part of the history of Rome and show how the world is evolving. People are always hesitant about adding new architecture to beautiful places … look at the pyramid at the Lourve in Paris. Some Parisians love it-others hate it.

]]> By: joanna http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3813 joanna Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:03:33 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3813 here is Spain, it's pretty similar except most people do kneel down, but not until one second before the priest starts the words of consecration. then we stand up immediately after that part is finished and remain standing during the rest of the Mass. there are usualy confessions going on during Mass also until it's time for that priest to help with Communion. there's always a cell phone going off and, of course, it must be obeyed er answered.   <strong><em>Ha ha, that is funny. The ring of the unknown caller can not go unanswered! Also - this could happen only in Italy, I think, but our priest was doing confessions before Mass the other day. When we walked in, he stopped hearing the confession, got up and come over and talked to us! LOL </em></strong> here is Spain, it’s pretty similar except most people do kneel down, but not until one second before the priest starts the words of consecration. then we stand up immediately after that part is finished and remain standing during the rest of the Mass. there are usualy confessions going on during Mass also until it’s time for that priest to help with Communion. there’s always a cell phone going off and, of course, it must be obeyed er answered.
 
Ha ha, that is funny. The ring of the unknown caller can not go unanswered! Also – this could happen only in Italy, I think, but our priest was doing confessions before Mass the other day. When we walked in, he stopped hearing the confession, got up and come over and talked to us! LOL

]]> By: LuLu http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3812 LuLu Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:36:57 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3812 I attended a mass when I was in Italy for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th). I didn't notice any major differences between that mass and ones I attend here except the part about the kneelers - most people did stand as opposed to kneel.   <strong><em>Interesting. I wonder if they were on good behavior for the holiday? LOL Is that the first time you went here in Calabria? It took me two or three times to really catch the differences but I've been to several different churches south of Rome and pretty much noticed all of the same things.</em></strong> I attended a mass when I was in Italy for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th). I didn’t notice any major differences between that mass and ones I attend here except the part about the kneelers – most people did stand as opposed to kneel.
 
Interesting. I wonder if they were on good behavior for the holiday? LOL Is that the first time you went here in Calabria? It took me two or three times to really catch the differences but I’ve been to several different churches south of Rome and pretty much noticed all of the same things.

]]> By: running42k http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3809 running42k Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:39:12 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3809 What an entertaining post. Here in Canada I think we are very similar to the US. I have been to mass in Portugal and it was very similar to the Canadian mass, except in a different language.   <strong><em>Yea, the languages can mess it up, alright! I get maybe 50% of it when I go now. Our priest moved across town and when we can we drive there for Mass. We loved him and I'm used to his accent! :-)</em></strong> What an entertaining post. Here in Canada I think we are very similar to the US. I have been to mass in Portugal and it was very similar to the Canadian mass, except in a different language.
 
Yea, the languages can mess it up, alright! I get maybe 50% of it when I go now. Our priest moved across town and when we can we drive there for Mass. We loved him and I’m used to his accent! :-)

]]> By: Joanne at frutto della passione http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3808 Joanne at frutto della passione Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:11:25 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3808 At our parish here in Milan the kids in catechism all sit together at 10 o'clock mass and participate actively during the mass, smaller children are given pictures to colour to keep them occupied. Catechism is all different nights of the week. My son, in grade 3, goes on Tuesdays and the Oratorio is a big part of his little social life. He plays soccer for our Oratorio (he has scored 2 goals so far this season yipee!) and meets his friends there on winter afternoons for a game of ping pong or foosball. And I'm one of those that arrives 10 minutes late ;)   <strong><em>Woo hoo for our little soccer star! That is great. I thought it might be a little different/more structured in northern Italy. Thanks for the info!</em></strong> At our parish here in Milan the kids in catechism all sit together at 10 o’clock mass and participate actively during the mass, smaller children are given pictures to colour to keep them occupied. Catechism is all different nights of the week. My son, in grade 3, goes on Tuesdays and the Oratorio is a big part of his little social life. He plays soccer for our Oratorio (he has scored 2 goals so far this season yipee!) and meets his friends there on winter afternoons for a game of ping pong or foosball.
And I’m one of those that arrives 10 minutes late ;)
 
Woo hoo for our little soccer star! That is great. I thought it might be a little different/more structured in northern Italy. Thanks for the info!

]]> By: Scintilla http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3807 Scintilla Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:47:55 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3807 The hymns are very traditional in Italy. Mass in Australia is likely to have an overhead projector with 'related' songs and pictures.   <strong><em>Wow. Really? I've never seen that. I think it might distract for me. Thanks for the info...</em></strong> The hymns are very traditional in Italy. Mass in Australia is likely to have an overhead projector with ‘related’ songs and pictures.
 
Wow. Really? I’ve never seen that. I think it might distract for me. Thanks for the info…

]]> By: Mary http://my-bellavita.com/2008/11/05/catholic-churches-italy-differ-american-catholic-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3806 Mary Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:31:07 +0000 http://my-bellavita.com/?p=1043#comment-3806 You hit it spot on. I was shocked over the chatting and non-kneeling. But then, when I took O to the states, he was shocked by how many times they passed the basket.   <strong><em>Ah! Another good point. They only put "coins" in the basket here and pass it once. We get envelopes - usually for 2 collections a week - and are expected to put bills! </em></strong> You hit it spot on. I was shocked over the chatting and non-kneeling. But then, when I took O to the states, he was shocked by how many times they passed the basket.
 
Ah! Another good point. They only put “coins” in the basket here and pass it once. We get envelopes – usually for 2 collections a week – and are expected to put bills!

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