[Hot Tabasco]

Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary?

[nanetteclaret]

Try looking it up on the internet. The answers are out there.

[beebuster2000]

he had a nose ring? i didnt know that

[massgopguy]

“Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic. Why is that”? Oh, maybe because it’s a RELIGION!

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

—— Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary? ——

It’s not necessary. But do we only perform actions that are necessary?

Do you object to the presidential inauguration?

I don’t, even though it’s not necessary. But it is fitting.

Catholics believe that the Pope is the successor in office of Peter. So these ceremonies are fitting for such an exalted office.

[NYer]

Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary?

The pope wears red shoes to remind him (and us) that he has committed his life to God, right down to the shedding of his blood. In the first centuries, the majority of those elected pope knew their reign would be short and end in martyrdom.

As for defacing the ring, EWTN's news director, Raymond Arroyo addressed that very question the other day, on his blog. Here is the explanation.

---

The destruction of the Papal Ring: Since so many of you are asking, I'll give you a brief rundown. The Ring of the Fisherman represents the Pope's authority and his office. The lead seal of the ring holds a bas relief of St. Peter the Apostle gathering fish from the side of his boat. Above the image is the name of the present Pope--the latest successor of Peter.

In days gone by, the ring was used to seal official papal documents. The image on the ring was impressed upon the wet wax on the back of a letter or envelope. Traditionally people in an audience with the Pope will kiss his ring as a display of affection for the office and the man who occupies it. Once a Pope dies, or in this case, retires, the ring must be destroyed. This is done by the Camerlengo (the chamberlain who runs the day to day affairs of the Church in the Pope's absence). He will go into the papal apartment, deface the seal with a knife and smash it with a mallet. This represents the end of the Pope's authority and his reign. The smashed ring is collected and usually buried with a Pope. This time the ring's remnants will likely be reserved until Benedict, the Pope Emeritus, goes to his reward.

A new ring bearing the next pope's name will be cast and placed on his finger during the inaugural Mass, signifying his supreme authority in the Church. Much more in the days ahead. Stay tuned. Our first World Over broadcast from Rome will be on March 7th. See you then.

The interregnum (period without a pope) and conclave (where the cardinals are literally locked up until they elect a successor) are steeped in tradition and can be quite fascinating. The best coverage will be provided by EWTN (check your local cable/satellite dish provider for the station. There you will gain great insight into how these practices evolved, why cardinals wear red, who governs the church when there is no pontiff and what is happening behind those closed doors. Best of all, coverage is without commercial interruption.

Should you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask. I will do my best to provide an answer or point you in the right direction.

[oldbrowser]

The ring is the Pope's seal.
It is necessary to deface the ring to avoid forgeries.

[GeronL]

pomp and circumstance are not Christianity

[PapaBear3625]

Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary?

The Church has survived for two thousand years. Name a currently-surviving institution that comes close.

[Old Yeller]

Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary?

Because it's a religion. All religions are ritualistic. Hindu, Buddahism, Mormon, Catholic. Now if you want to know Christ, you need Christianity which is a relationship with our Savior. It's not a man-made religion.

[Ann Archy]

He is no longer the leader of 1 BILLION Catholics and Vicar of Christ.<P.The red shoes symbolizes that he walks in the BLOOD of the MARTYRS!!!

[mlizzy]

Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary?

NYer has answered you well, but to address rituals further: they bring one closer to God.

If you know anyone that is a daily-Mass variety Catholic, join them at a "daily" Mass as there are few pretenders there (or just go on your own; you're welcome to partake in everything but Communion).

I was fortunate to meet a young man (he is now my husband) who would walk miles in the blinding snow to receive Our Lord (the Eucharist!) during the week. And it was not only through him, but through the many others who attended these Masses (and of course, through Him, capital "H") that I eventually saw the intense beauty and importance of the Catholic Mass. It's now been since 1984 that I've attended daily Mass, and my husband for almost a decade more. And if anyone was to offer either one of us a million dollars to just go to Mass on Sundays, we'd laugh, scoff, and send him on his way, as there is nothing more important than the daily Eucharist.

In fact, it is what allows all the Catholic haters on forum boards/blogs, etc. to continue espousing their junk, for without the Eucharist, there would be no life on earth at all. :)

It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass. --Padre Pio

[Smokin' Joe]

There is a solemnity in such rituals which adds gravitas. For many, not only is the ritual a comfort, but it creates an ambiance which emphasizes the solemnity and creates a sense of awe, of holiness, of something truly sacred.

Ritual, if followed, provides a traditional procedural framework and continuity from one generation to the next, a thread which binds the present to the past and future. There is solemnity in the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us (and joy that He made it), awe in the sheer majesty and power of our Creator, and the thread of ritual to connect the generations of the faithful (of all nationalities) who follow that for so long as they shall do so.

[Rome2000]

Because the Catholics started the church at the direction of Jesus under St. Peter 2100 years ago, and their traditions and rituals are designed to advance the Christian cause and fight satan and his demons.

The antics of the German heretic Luther and his buddy Henry the VIII 500 years ago have given us this:

Evil abounds in the "churches" that have broken from Rome.