I know I am not a CAtholic expert but I try to keep an open mind. I went to a friend for a service and the nun ladies kept repeating some phrases that always began with "Hail Mary full of grace" and it kind of creeped me out. It was like brainwashing. Didnt Christ teach not to do vain repetitions like the heathen:
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." -Matthew 6:7"
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." -Matthew 15:9"
How do Catholics get spiritual fullfillment from dead lifeless repetitions
2006-08-07 00:03:36 · 9 answers · asked by h nitrogen 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Never a big fan of rituals and standard prayers myself. I'm an atheist, but if I did believe in God, I would pray from the heart instead.
2006-08-07 00:11:41 · answer #1 · answered by John Rae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always hate it when people spout off about something they know absolutely nothing about.
If you fancy yourself to be open minded and would like to learn something, keep reading......
What you heard with the repeated "Hail Mary, full of grace......" is the most wonderful of prayers known as the Holy Rosary.
What the Rosary is....is praying the Gospels in a contemplative way. Let me further explain.
Contemplative prayer.... to contemplate on the events of the Life of Jesus Christ. It is not vain repetition; it may sound like it to the uninitiated, but as you pray the decades of the "Hail Marys" your thoughts are focused on a "Mystery" of the life of Christ, such as the 3rd Mystery of the Joyful Mysteries...the Birth of Christ.
There are the Joyful Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries. Then each of those catagories break down as follows:
Joyful: The Annunciation (Gabriel comes to Mary announcing she will be the Mother of Jesus); The Visitation(Mary goes to her cousin Elizabeth);The Birth of Christ; The Presentation(when Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the temple); Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple(when they lost Jesus for 3 days when he was 12 years old and went back to find him)
Luminous: Baptism in the Jordan (Jesus is Baptized) Wedding at Cana; Proclamation of the Kingdom; Transfiguration; Institution of the Eucharist (Last Supper)
Sorrowful: Agony in the Garden (Jesus in prayer before being arrested) Scourging at the Pillar; Crowning of thorns; Carrying the cross; Crucifixion
Glorious: Resurrection; Ascension(Jesus ascends to the Father)
The descent of the Holy Spirit (as in Pentacost), assumption, and Coronation
When you hear or see someone with a Rosary... what appears to be "Vain Repetition" is really a person in deep contemplative prayer focusing on the main events in the Life of Jesus Christ...it is anything but vain repetition..it is the Gospels of the Holy Bible.
2006-08-07 07:13:20 · answer #2 · answered by Augustine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to be a Catholic and never get "spirituel fullfilment" as you said. That's on reason why I became a Protestant. The other reason is that part of the Catholic teaching is wrong (to my mind) and the Holy Mary is one of these wrong teachings...But they believed in it, even the Pope is convinced that catholicims is the rue "way"...so instead of waiting for the Church to be reformed I left it...
Most Catholics are not ready to leave behind all their traditions, so it's useless trying to stop them. they should start reading the Bible because they would come across Matthew 6: 7....
2006-08-07 07:22:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nuns were praying a Rosary, which is a series of prayers that are prayed while reflecting on event's in Jesus and Mary's life in the Gospels.
It is not VAIN repetition becuase a person is reflecting and meditating on the life of Christ while praying.
2006-08-07 07:19:16 · answer #4 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't recklessly quote scripture when you have no idea what it means.
Vain repetitions are what pagans (heathen) did when they prayed, over and over again, to their FALSE gods. Matthew 6:7.
Jesus speaks of the Pharisees and their unjust and phony practice of dedicating their wealth to God, and thereby preventing it from being used to care for their elderly mothers and fathers. Jesus speaks of this tradition as a vain act. Matthew 15:9.
How many times can one sing "Amazing Grace" before it becomes "vain repetition"?
How many times can one say "Amen" before it becomes "vain repetition"?
Prayers offered up to the one, true God are never in vain, no matter what.
Repetetive prayers and devotions are much more in keeping with the words of St. Paul, when he admonishes us all to rejoice in the Lord, and to "pray without ceasing."
1Th 5:14 And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men.
1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men.
1Th 5:16 Always rejoice.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.
Protestants could learn a lot about effective prayer from Catholics.
2006-08-07 07:54:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The prayer you mentioned is called the Hail Mary and it is found in the Bible. It is not brain washing. Many of our prayers are helps to meditation on Christ. By keeping ones hands busy countingand ones mouth busy reciting it helps to keep ones mind concentrating. There are meditations on Christ that accompany this.
2006-08-07 08:40:18 · answer #6 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. they aren't nude
2. its a prayer said over around 50 something times
2006-08-07 07:10:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey butthole...if your not catholic dont WORRY BOUT IT
2006-08-07 07:07:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know anything about Christianity
2006-08-07 07:11:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋