on this thread itself there is represented a couple of dozen pretty active Catholics that know quite a bit and read the Bible regularly.And there are many more silent Catholic readers on this forum and many, many more CAtholics in the real world who do far more than "crack open" a Bible but diligently study The Word of God and grew deeper in Christ, in His Catholic Faith.
I can also attest that in attending mass for 27 years and 12 years of Catholic parochial school with daily catechism class, I cannot recall seeing anyone bring a bible to Mass, school or catechism classes. There were no pew bibles in church, I was never castigated for not having a bible or not reading the bible. I do not recall ever being told to read the bible by any priest, nun, parent or lay adult that we had daily contact with.
While I am sure that your experience with a dozen or so online Catholic friends is different, I think it is clear that bible reading is NOT a high priority in the RCC.
....”I think it is clear that bible reading is NOT a high priority in the RCC’.......
Which has also been my experience in conversations with catholics for the most part. But they have memorized many prayers and writings of literature the church presents...and so not a wonder at all they cannot tell the difference between false teachings and truth...they have no standard, other than what they are spoon fed from the church leadership and the mass productions of literature they flood the peoples minds with..
Again — that is your experience. I have had different — and since I’m 32, I could assume that this may be due to a generational difference as well — check the modern Church, do listen to a confirmation class nowadays.
Why would you expect anyone to bring a Bible to Mass? They're there to attend Mass -- to share in offering the Eternal Sacrifice of the Son, to follow the Mass prayers; we don't bring the works of the Church Fathers either.
Same with school (you mean to read during a boring math class?) and catechism class, where you study the catechism.
I have no clue where bkaycee grew up and yet what bkaycee relates is also similar to my experience.
Cronos, while you may not have encountered it in your travels, it’s obviously widespread enough that we both had similar experiences. Rnmom and pnsn have also related similar experiences in other threads.
The Mass from beginning to end is Biblical and filled with Scriptures. Why do I need to bring a Bible when all that I see and hear is straight from it?
In order to easily follow the readings, it is all laid out for us in our missal. Each Scripture is noted for you to reference at home if you like.