Catholicism is the second largest religion in the world after Sunni Islam. Catholicism is also the largest Christian sect, with more than 1 billion followers in 2010, more than half of all Christians. Oftentimes, each religion in different countries has its own way of worshiping, but Catholics around the world have a common protocol for worship, as follows:
1. Making the Sign of the Cross
The most basic thing is to make the sign of the cross using the finger of the right hand (you can use the index finger, or all four fingers folded together) starting from the forehead, left front shoulder, right front shoulder, and in the middle of the lower chest (right on the bone). chest). While doing the sign of the cross, Catholics will say "In the name of the Father (hand on forehead), Son (left-right shoulder), and Holy Spirit (bottom chest), Amen". The sign of the cross is the beginning and end of prayer, worship, and mass in Catholicism. Often, Catholics also use the sign of the cross before the start of exams, games, and other events that require prayer.
2. Posture: Kneeling and Bowing
During Mass, there are times when people are asked to kneel (usually when reading a prayer), and bow (in the section of the Glory, the end of the Preface when it says “Holy, holy, holy”, and the confession of “Lamb of God”). These two attitudes actually show how we humble ourselves before God, especially when making requests (prayer).
3. Mass
The most important Catholic worship is the Mass. Generally, mass is held every day, which is called “Daily Mass”. Holy Mass or Mass is held every Sunday. Mass is a form of worship that is most closely related to the faith and beliefs of Catholics. Every Sunday (often called the Lord's Day), Catholics come to church to hear the word of God delivered by the priest, and receive the Eucharist / Holy Communion.
The priest is believed to represent Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The priest leads the liturgy (a sequence of prayers), then the people who have been baptized and received the first Communion line up to receive the Host (unleavened bread, symbolized as the body and blood of Christ) which is distributed by the Pastor and the prodeacon.
In the mass, the body postures that have been arranged in such a way as standing, singing, kneeling, making the sign of the cross and others are intended to create a “united” effect for every worshiper. For Catholics, attending holy mass affects their daily life. Many Catholics feel calmer and closer to God after attending mass. Often, after mass there are charity activities, social services, or recreation to the outdoors.
4. Daily Prayers
The daily prayers that Catholics perform vary widely, depending on the time of day (eg prayers before meals, prayers before bed) and their importance (prayers when sick, prayers before exams, prayers of repentance). These prayers can be seen in the Praise and Gratitude book. However, the prayers most often said by Catholics are the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory. These three prayers are mentioned in the Mass, as well as in the Rosary.
5. Prayer of the Rosary
The Rosary is a collection of prayers mostly taken from the Bible and practiced by all Catholics around the world. The Rosary is performed as a form of devotion to the Virgin Mary. Catholics usually perform this prayer while holding the Rosary (a string of beads or seeds with a cross at the end), each bead represents 1 prayer. The word "rosary", which is taken from the word "rose" or rose, is a symbol of the Virgin Mary and every prayer that is said (either loud or quiet) means placing a rose at the feet of the Virgin Mary. Completing a series of Rosary Prayers means offering a crown of roses to Our Lady. The prayers used in the Rosary are Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory.
6. Novena Prayer
The word Novena is taken from the Latin "Nove", meaning "nine". This prayer is done 9 times in a row, accompanied by the desired request. There are various types of Novena Prayers, the most frequently performed are the Hail Mary Novena (saying the Hail Mary 3 times then followed by saying the desired request), and the Saints Novena (requesting the intercession of patron Saints to offer prayers to God). Catholics often pray the Novena when they are in trouble. Often, Novena prayers are accompanied by fasting. Novena prayer is believed to be able to grant the wish / request of the prayer. Of course, the wish / request must be a good one, must not harm others.
7. Environmental Prayer
This environmental prayer is often called FA in Protestant Christianity and Charismatic Christianity. Usually held every week, alternating from one house to another. In the Neighborhood Prayer, the Rosary Prayer is often performed, people who read prayers in turns, one for each Hail Mary prayer.
In the Environmental Prayer, faith sharing, intercession prayers are often held, and sometimes meetings for the next activity (usually if there is a desire for a picnic, a pilgrimage to the Cave of Mary, etc.).
In addition to the seven methods above, the Catholic Church also has other types of worship, namely the Sacraments and Devotion to Our Lady.
Sacraments in Catholicism
The Catholic Church celebrates the 7 sacraments. The sacrament (taken from the Latin "sacramentum") is a sign initiated by Christ to give grace to His people. The seven sacraments are:
1. Baptism
It is a sign of a person's entry into Catholicism, marked by sprinkling holy water on the forehead. Often also called “Birth Again”, the sign of sinful humans being “born again” into the Children of God. Baptism can be administered at any age, but is usually performed when a person is still an infant. Baptism is only received once in a lifetime.
2. Chrism
Also called the Sacrament of Confirmation, so that a person remains strong in his faith as a Catholic. Prior to 2002, the Confirmation Sacrament could be received when a person was at least 15 years old or already in grade 3 of junior high school, but after 2002 it was changed to a minimum of 18 years or already sitting in grade 3 of high school. But there are also those who only receive Confirmation after marriage, or after they reach old age. Just like the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation is also only received once in a lifetime.
3. Eucharist
The Eucharist is also known as Communion. This sacrament is the most important sacrament, because Catholics believe that Jesus Christ really exists in the form of bread and wine. The sacrament of the Eucharist is held at every mass, and there is no limit to receiving the sacrament. A Catholic may receive the Eucharist every day when he attends daily mass.
4. Forgiveness of Sins
Actually, the sacrament of forgiveness of sins in Christianity can be done every week, or whenever the priest is willing to serve the forgiveness of sins. But generally done before Christmas and Easter celebrations. The Catholic would go into the Confession booth, tell him some of his gravest sins, then the priest would tell him to read some Bible verses and say certain prayers for a few days. These prayers are meant to get forgiveness and mercy from God.
5. Anointing of the Sick / Oil
This sacrament is given to people who are really seriously ill. The goal is for the person concerned to stick to the Catholic faith, and also ask God to give the best to the person concerned: will he be healed, or will he be called by God (died).
6. Priesthood / Priest Ordination
Priesthood is a special sacrament given to prospective priests. This sacrament is a kind of "graduation" for prospective priests. The brothers (prospective priests) who are ordained will become pastors, with a heavier task, namely shepherding God's people.
7. The Sacrament of Marriage
This sacrament is given to a couple of adult men and women who love each other and intend to build a home together. In Catholic marriages, ideally the sacrament of Marriage is only given once in a lifetime, until death do us part. Because Catholic marriages are indivisible, a person can only remarry after the spouse dies (Matthew 19:6).
Devotion to Our Lady
Catholics honor Mary (Mother of Jesus) more than any other Christian sect, call Mary "Mother of God", "Queen of Heaven", and pray through her intercession to her child, Jesus. Praying through the intercession of the Virgin Mary is based on the attitude of Jesus who never refused His mother's request. One of them is the wedding banquet at Cana (John 2:1-11). In addition, Jesus' love for His mother was so great, that He gave John to accompany His mother in place of Him who died on the cross (John 19:26-27).
The Catholic Church specializes in May and October as "Mary's Month". It should be understood, devotion to the Virgin Mary does not mean worshiping the Virgin Mary, but only appreciation. The Catholic Church only worships one God, the Triune God. This seems to need to be straightened out, considering that there are many Christians outside the Catholic Church who think that the Catholic Church worships the Virgin Mary.
Catholic Holy Days
The Catholic Church holds a large mass on every Holy Day that has been determined in the Catholic Annual Calendar. Catholic schools have also closed their students for some of these Holy Days:
Christmas: commemorates the birth of Jesus. Mass is usually held on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Advent: takes place 4 weeks before Christmas. Usually the statues on church altars will be covered in purple cloth, indicating the Church is awaiting the coming of the Redeemer. At this time, in the church there is an advent circle containing 4 candles. The candles will be lit one by one every week, until Christmas day arrives. The Praise of Glory is not sung at this time.
Ash Wednesday: the beginning of the Lenten fast. Catholics will attend mass on Ash Wednesday and receive a scribble of ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. It is a symbol of mourning during Lent. Catholic schools usually close their students in order to attend Ash Wednesday mass at their respective churches.
Lent: is observed for 40 days before Easter, starting with Ash Wednesday. At this time, Catholics will abstain and fast, and collect the results of their fast in the form of Lent Action (usually in the form of groceries or money). This Lenten action will later be donated to our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
Three Holy Days: starting from Holy Thursday (Last Supper), Good Friday (Jesus' Passion and Death), and Holy Saturday / Lonely Saturday (Jesus remains in the tomb). On these three days, a large mass is held every day. Catholic schools closed their students on 3 days. Good Friday is also a national holiday.
Easter: celebrated on Sunday, marking the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Mass was held.
Ascension of the Lord Jesus to heaven: celebrated 40 days after Easter. Today is also a national holiday.
Pentecost: celebrated 10 days after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus, or 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is a celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit to ignite the spirit of the apostles in proclaiming the resurrection of the Lord.