I recently attended a funeral and some questions popped into my head as I sat through the catholic service.
Before I get into my questions, I have to give you some background. I come from an indian reservation, and all the catholics from my reservation (and other rez's around the country) attend a conference every year because they are trying to petition the Vatican to canonize this indian woman named Kateri Takawitha.
Back in the 1600's, a smallpox epidemic hit Kateri's village and she herself contracted the disease. Some catholic missionaries were there to record this. After almost succumbing to the disease, they say through prayer, she overcame the disease. In other words, she was a miracle.
It seems that all through life, catholics look down on themselves because they and God see themselves as sinners. And the funeral I attended, they had dancers called Matachinas which are all catholics, but with a traditional indian twist to it. I guess these are the indians that converted to catholicism, but still retained some of their indian ways and incorporated them into their service.
Anyways at the graveside service, after we lowered my aunt into her grave, the catholics all gathered around the grave and sang a song called "De Colores" (or the colors) and when the song was over, they threw confetti into the grave. A shitload of confetti. My gf sorta explained to me, that the confetti stood for the traditional colors of all indians.(the traditional part they integrated into the service) But at a funeral?
That's when it struck me, that all through a catholic's life they look at themselves as sinners, it's their fault that Jesus got nailed (literally) and they're so bad, but when we were at a funeral it seemed like they were celebrating because their life as a sinner is over, and they can be with god now.
Is this how all catholics feel?
Did I just answer my own question?
Don't flame me if you don't understand what I'm talking about. alot of indians who have converted or were raised in the catholic church integrate their traditional ways in to catholic services, and the fathers they sent are alright with it. (Which I guess would mean the Pope approved it, too.)
I am not catholic myself, but was baptised a Presbyterian, although I rarely attend church. I'm trying to learn our traditional ways, the way my people were before Father Kino and the other missionaries made contact with us. Thanks for any input. Oh, and "fuck you" to anyone posting just to talk shit.
|
Threaded Mode
