Posted on 02/27/2020 1:31:39 PM PST by ebb tide
ROME (ChurchMilitant.com) - Catholics all over the world have been scandalized by nuns performing a distinctive Hindu ritual during the elevation of the Holy Eucharist at a Mass celebrated by Cdl. Blaise Cupich in Rome.
The "arati" ritual is one of twelve Hindu symbols, rituals and ceremonials approved by the Vatican for the "Indian Rite Mass" and has led to widespread syncretism, liturgical abuse, confusion among the laity and a moratorium on evangelization in India.
A trio of Indian nuns, who had completed their diploma in safeguarding at the Gregorian Pontifical University's Center for Child Protection, performed the "arati" rite at the thanksgiving Mass presided over by Cdl. Cupich of Chicago on Feb. 14.
Nuns offer "arati" while Cdl. Cupich presides at Holy Mass
The "arati" was performed to the chant of a "bhajan" (Indian chorus) with the music of Indian instruments accompanying the singing. At least three other priests are concelebrating alongside Cupich.
In a video clip on Twitter posted approvingly by Sr. Karolin Kuhn SSND, the nuns are seen swaying rhythmically to the music, each waving a ceremonial dish containing joss sticks, flowers and oil lamps, as Cupich and his concelebrant raise the consecrated Host and chalice for the Great Doxology at the culmination of the Eucharistic Prayer.
Almost all of the couple of hundred respondents on the Twitter thread slam the ritual as Hindu, pagan, "not Catholic," an "abomination to God," "diabolically disoriented" and "idolatrous."
No priest from India was publicly willing to make a statement when contacted by Church Militant. However, speaking on condition of anonymity, a priest from North India confirmed that such practices had become "now de rigueur in almost all Indian seminaries, convents [and] religious houses of formation."
"The so-called 'Indian Rite Mass' which received Vatican approval in 1969 is vigorously promoted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India's (CBCI) National, Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Center (NBCLC)," he said.
The theological vision behind the Indian Mass is significant, since it integrates the goal of religious sacrifice in Hinduism into that of Christianity.Tweet
The priest admitted that the "arati" was "an explicit Hindu symbol used exclusively by Hindus," but, he said, "bishops, theologians and other religious would mock him if he or faithful lay Catholics even dared to challenge it as inculturation, and using Hindu forms of worship was now "the 'orthodox' position in the Indian Church's hierarchy," regarded as "an authentic Indian expression of the gospel."
"Arati" is a Hindu liturgical rite in which camphor flames, flowers and joss sticks are offered to the deity by means of a clockwise rotation while standing before an idol. The five camphor lights symbolize the five elements of earth, air, fire, water and the ether, representing the totality of the cosmos in Hindu theology. The ceremonial is also used to welcome an important personality or guest, since in monistic Hinduism the whole of creation is one single principle of divinity.
Sources drew Church Militant's attention to the "arati" rite performed by Indian nuns at Strasbourg Cathedral in September 2018 for the beatification of Mother Alphonse-Marie, a French nun and founder of the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer. The Hindu ritual was again performed during the Great Doxology in the presence of dozens of clergy, with no objection or protest.
Here, the sisters are singing a "bhajan" in Tamil. The words used are steeped in Hindu theology with the refrain repeating the word "Anjali" — an offering to a deity (traditionally from the cupped palms of one's hands).
Catholic priest in Hindu robes performing "arati" to his people
"Here we have a purely Hindu ceremony introduced," writes Victor J. F. Kulanday in his book The Paganized Catholic Church in India. Kulanday cites two authorities on Hinduism explaining the Hindu significance of arati.
Walker's Hindu World points out that the "object of the 'arati' rite is to please the goddess with bright lights and colors and also to counteract the evil eye," he notes.
Further, French Catholic missionary and Sanskrit scholar Abbe J. A. Dubois in Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies notes that "arati" is one of the "commonest religious practices of the Hindus ... performed by married women and courtesans ... to counteract the influence of the evil eye and any ill-effects arising from the jealous and spiteful looks of ill-intentioned persons."
In 1969, the Vatican permitted 12 points of adaptation for celebration of the Mass in India leading to an "Indian Rite" form of the Holy Eucharist. The "arati" is one of the rituals that was approved by the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship.
The "Indian Rite Mass" uses the "arati" at four points in the liturgy. First, when the priest enters, he is blessed with the person performing the arati tracing three circles around him. The outer circle symbolizes the cosmos, the second circle represents the human community and the third smallest circle stands for the congregation greeting the priest.
Similarly, the priest then takes the "arati" in his hands and — facing the congregation — performs the ritual over the people in three circles.
Nuns offering "arati" at the Doxology in Strasbourg Cathedral
Second, during the Liturgy of the Word, homage is paid to the Bible with a double "arati" of flowers and incense. The "Indian Rite Mass" prescribes verses from the Hindu scripture Brihadaranyaka Upanishad to be chanted while this is taking place. The chant ends with the singing of the sacred Hindu syllable "Om."
Third, at the offertory, the priest makes an "arati" with a tray of eight flowers, which in Hinduism symbolize the eight directions of the universe.
Finally, during the Doxology, there is triple "arati" of flowers, incense and fire.
Indian Catholic priest Fr. Jacob Nangelimalil acknowledges that "the theological vision behind the Indian Mass is significant, since it integrates the goal of religious sacrifice in Hinduism into that of Christianity."
Bishops and theologians promoting the wave of "inculturation" have been caught unawares by the backlash from militant Hindus as well as criticism from Catholic converts from lower-caste Hindu backgrounds.
Hindus are condemning the inculturated liturgies as devious gimmicks designed to convert Hindus to Catholicism, while low-caste Catholic converts accuse the Indian hierarchy of incorporating symbols from Brahmanical Hinduism — which kept lower castes subjugated for millennia before they were liberated by converting to Christianity.
Inculturation has also led to a redefinition of evangelization where the goal is to "make a Hindu a better Hindu" and not to bring him or her to faith in Christ and to membership in the Catholic Church.
I used to think you were actually a Catholic; but now I'm convinced you're not one.
I guess the Rosary repulses you also.
P.S. Pope St. Pius X was an "older Catholic" as you like to call them.
Heads up on dealing with the poster named ebbtide. If you post things he disagrees with, which he seemingly does for a lot, he’ll try to call you a stalker to get you to stop posting to him.
Now your stealth stalking me, behind my back.
Keep it up, and I’ll have a rosary prayed just for you every three days.
I’m sorry I irritate you so much.
She doesn’t forgive sin — she passes our prayers on to her son.
Exacty! We're asking Her to pray for us:
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Nothing's done behind your back. It's all out there in the open for all to see.
Your paranoia is coming through again for all to see.
I’m sorry I irritate you so much.
ebb, ol' buddy....believe it or not....I want to see you come to a saving knowledge of faith in Christ and Christ alone.
He stands ready to save you today IF you will trust in Him and Him alone.
8But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
13for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Romans 10:8-13 NASB
You sure about that??
In the Glories of Mary the following is recorded: Oh, how many would have remained obstinate in sin, and have been eternally lost,’ says Thomas a Kempis, ‘if Mary had not interposed with her Son, that He might show them mercy! It is also the opinion of many theologians, and of Saint Thomas in particular, that for many who have died in mortal sin the Divine Mother has obtained from God a suspension of their sentence, and a return to life to do penance Trustworthy authors give us many instances in which this has occurred….But these examples serve to revive our confidence with the reflection, that if the Divine Mother has been able to deliver from hell even some who have died in sin, how much more will she be able to preserve from a similar lot those who, during life, have recourse to her with a purpose of amendment, and who serve her faithfully!.... The same do I hope for myself, O my own most holy Queen; and therefore I will always repeat the words of Saint Bonaventure, ‘In thee, O Lady, have I placed all my hopes; and thus I confidently trust that I shall never be lost, but praise and love thee for ever in heaven.’
St Alphonsus de'Liguori, The Glories of Mary, p188-190
The book carries this statement: WE hereby approve of this Translation of "The Glories of Mary," and cordially recommend it to the Faithful. Nicholas Card. Wiseman, Archbisop of Westminster
To illustrate the statements above aren't from the average Roman Catholic I provide the following below.
To my knowledge none of their statements above have been repudiated by Rome.
Liguori was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius in 1871.
*****
| The Glories of Mary | Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB | |
| ’Mary,’ says Saint Antoninus, ‘is that throne of grace to which the Apostle Saint Paul, in his epistle to the Hebrews, exhorts us to fly with confidence, that we may obtain the Divine mercy, and all the help we need for our salvation:’ “Let us therefore go with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid.” | 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. |
|
Bible quotes from NASB
RCC position on Mary from The Glories of Mary, translated from the Italian of St Alphonsus De; Liguori, Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, by A Father of the Same Congregation LONDON: Printed for the Redemptorist Fathers, St Mary’s, Clapham, Surrey; to be had of J.J. Wallwork, 42, Great Marlborough Street, Regent Street, and of all Booksellers. MDCCCLII p215.
"Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men." Matthew 16:23.
So Mary prays to her son for us that He would forgive our sins. What a terrible thing!
The point is that Mary HAS to intervene which is not supported anywhere in the NT. The author is saying without her intervention Jesus would not forgive us....again, a complete contradiction of the NT.
The believer can go straight to God for forgiveness. Mary is not needed.
That Brown Scapular is not going to save you or anyone else who trusts it.
More personal attacks.
Why am I not surprised?
I’m on my third decade for you, just you.
LOL....personal attack? You've got to be kidding.
A person either trusts in Christ, and Christ alone OR they trust in the Brown Scapular.
You've already said which one you're going with....so all I've done is repeat what you've said.
ROTFLOL.
[5] His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
John Chapter 2.
You’re repeating a lie.
5] His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. John Chapter 2.
*****
It's so cute when Roman Catholics try to read into the text something that isn't there.
The passage has nothing to do with salvation or that we have to have Mary's intervention.
Do you not wear the Brown Scapular?
Are you not trusting in the words of the apparition?
Another Hail Mary for you.
I'm beginning to think She irritates you more than I do.
If you read it again you will see that a Kempis is speaking only of some obstinate souls, not everyone. Did not Paul tell us to pray for one another? Have you not prayed for someone’s salvation? Do you not believe that your prayers are heard by God? If yours are, how much more those of Mary?
LOL!
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