Baptism is the most widely accepted way of becoming a member of the Christian faith. The word "baptism" is derived from the Greek word ubaptizein,77 meaning "to dip or immerse." Christian churches have infant baptisms and adult baptisms. When infants are baptized, thev are either dipped into a baptism tub, called a font, or water is sprinkled on the infant's head by the minister (Protestant clergy) or priest (Catholic clergy). When an adult converts to Christianity, the baptism ceremony can be held in a church or in a river or lake. Various Christian groups observe the rituals in different ways. Among some groups, when a baby is born, parents select godparents to oversee the child's spiritual progress in case they are unable to do so. Godparents are expected to take part in the baptismal ceremony. For some groups, naming the child, christening, is part of the ceremony. Christian churches that practice infant baptism almost always have coming-of-age rituals, known as confirmation. Although confirmations can take place at any time, they are usually held at the onset of puberty, at about age 12. At these ceremonies, a young person is "confirmed" to take a more active role in the church. To be confirmed, one has to attend classes to learn more about the Christian faith. Catholic confirmation services are a little more extensive and include many symbolic rituals. In most denominations, the ceremony is performed by a high-ranking member of the church. An emotional ritual performed by the clergy is "laying hands" on the head of the person being confirmed.
This ancient ritual symbolizes the passing on of the Christian faith from one generation to the next. Christian marriage traditions vary from church to church and even from family to family. Prior to marriage the couple usually announces their intentions to marry, known as the betrothal. The length of betrothal periods are different for each marriage, with no set time period. Some Christian groups have orientation classes at the church to prepare the couple for marriage. A Christian wedding may be an elaborate, formal church ceremony with many attendants or a very simple affair with just the bride and groom before the minister. Most Protestants hold their wedding ceremonies anywhere they like; it need not take place in the church. The wedding celebrations differ according to the customs of the country, ethnic group, city, village, and even the family. Roman Catholic marriages must take place in the church to be officially recognized. The ceremony can be either without Mass, and only 20-minutes long, or be a more elaborate ceremony with a Mass, lasting for an hour. It is customary for the Roman Catholic priest throughout the Mass to give instructions, which often vary from parish to parish. During the wedding ceremony, vows and rings are exchanged. Just before Communion (see next paragraph) is served, the priest gives a sign of peace, and at that time the guests turn to their neighbors, shake their hands, and say, "Peace be with you" or some other friendly greeting. Close friends and relatives often hug. In the Roman Catholic Church, Communion is reserved for baptized Catholics. The Communion is the commemoration of Christ's Last Supper. It is the ceremony in which bread and wine are consecrated and taken as the body and blood of Christ. (Anglican and Orthodox churches also have Communion ceremonies.) To take Communion, members of the congregation walk down the center aisle to take the bread (usually a wafer) and wine and then return to their seats. After Communion, the signing of the register takes place, and the priest introduces the newly married couple to the guests. At this time the guests will often applaud, depending on local custom.
Both Catholic and Protestant wedding ceremonies are usually followed by a wedding feast. It can be a simple meal for just the wedding party or an elaborate one for thousands of guests. The feast can be a wedding breakfast, luncheon, afternoon repast, supper, or extravagant wedding reception at any time of day or evening with feasting, drinking, dancing, singing, and merrymaking. Christian customs for mourning the dead vary from country to country and from parish to parish. When a Christian dies, the body is embalmed and then washed and dressed in clean clothing in preparation for burial. Depending upon local customs and the financial situation and wishes of the family, Christian funerals can take place either at home, funeral home, church, or public hall. The evening before a Protestant funeral, it is customary for family and friends to view the body either in the home or funeral home. Catholics generally have a Wake (prayer service), followed by the serving of food and drink. In fact, food and drink play an important role in the mourning process. As soon as friends and neighbors hear about a death it is customary for them to bring platters, bowls, and baskets of prepared food and beverages to the home of the deceased to be shared by mourners.
On the day of the burial, Protestants generally have a service at the funeral home or church. Catholics may or may not bring the casket to the church for the Mass. After the burial at the cemetery, the mourners go to the church hall or the home of the deceased to share in the food provided for the occasion. It is customary for Catholics to have a memorial Mass said in memory of a loved one 30 days after the death and again after one year.
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