I had one set of great grandparents, and their parents before them, who did not believe in even having photos taken of themselves, because graven images are forbidden in the Bible. They did not celebrate Christmas as anything other than a religious Holy Day.
It was a severe Church, theirs was. No musical instruments in the Church, either, all a capella. Plain hard pews, no adornment, that graven images thing again. They did, however, participate in feet washings. I suppose that could be considered somewhat luxurious to the recipients, lol.
But, they apparently were warm and friendly people, well regarded and respected in their farming community. If being prospered by many children and a very productive, beautiful farm is an indication of favor from God, they had it. The family established that particular Church immediately following the Civil War, after breaking away from the old, original brush arbor meeting on a plantation, that had become a large congregation over the course of the previous century.
They were Primitive Baptists. Others of my family were not; they were members of Lutheran congregations that were originally Dutch Reformed, or had been Moravian all along, since settlement occurred here. The Moravians are quite interesting, historically. They predate the "Protestant" Reformation, exerted quite the profound influence upon the young John Wesley, and brought Christianity to the Cherokee and Creek, going along on the Trail Of Tears with the Cherokee to minister to them and to help them, when their efforts to prevent Removal proved futile.
Just a little history there, a little local color from the 1600's, 1700's and 1800's, in order to put the negativity being directed at those not under the authority of the Vatican in the proper perspective.
All these ancestral lines belonging to various "Protestant" denominations, are eventually Catholic if I go back far enough. Of that I am well aware, and I honor them, too, even though the first documented instance of my English surname occurs in the Templar Inquisition of 1185. I figure if they can get over that, so can I. Everybody makes mistakes, and the Catholic Church in England made some epic ones, as did the Anglican Church that succeeded them.
Very, very interesting Reg,... (no offense just shortened version)
I am amazed you can follow your family tree so far. Mine was lost somewhere between Scottish/Irish deccent, but I appears more Scottish than Irish.
But to follow the faiths of your family line is astouding. How fortunate you are. Thank you... as I go to re-read your post again.
I'm glad you mentioned this because so many are still attacking the practices of the 13th and 14th century Catholic Church without recognizing or acknowledging that the Church has dealt with its imperfections and continually strives to better reflect the perfection of God.
I just skimmed your “home page”. Wow!
There;s a Jesuit at UVA who often celebrates Mass at our (Dominican) parish. He’s an ‘istorian, and has written and exhaustive (and occasionally eexhausting) history of the Catholic Church in VA. Fascinating.
I asked him about all the VERY “Catholic” names a lot of the “red necks” (NOT a put down, not at ALL) have and whether there wasn’t some kind of Catholic (maybe from Scotland? but maybe from England as well?) emmigration winding way up in the holler.” HE was dubious.
But come on! My next door neighbor “BL” - Bernard Louis. If that ain’t Catholic I don’t know what is! Clem(ent), Ferd(inand), Cletus? All Catholic names!
I would say, Yeah. When it comes to mistakes, we Catholics hold a disastrous pre-eminence. Thanks for your post.
Link, please?