Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Domestic Church
 4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Subject Topic: Menorah?? Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
At_His_Feet
Forum Pro
Forum Pro


Joined: April 28 2007
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 304
Posted: March 01 2008 at 1:53am | IP Logged Quote At_His_Feet

My antique loving Mum gave me a Menorah.
Is it "kosher" for Catholics to have one???
If so what do we do with it???

__________________
Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
Do whatever He tells you
Back to Top View At_His_Feet's Profile Search for other posts by At_His_Feet Visit At_His_Feet's Homepage
 
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
Posted: March 01 2008 at 8:36am | IP Logged Quote JennGM

I'm hoping Kathryn will weigh in here, as I really respect her perspectives on such matters.

In the past I had asked Julia at Our Father's House about the smaller menorahs they sell. They use it as a teaching tool for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and/or learning about the Old Testament. The Jewish faith is part of our Faith's heritage.

I was just searching for images of a menorah, and I noticed some have 7 candles and other have 9. I'm wondering why the difference? (Ah, I just found out why. The 9 are for Chanukah, the 7 are the traditional form.)

It seems that it would be wrong to use it in a different way than intended. As a Catholic I would be so upset to find people using our sacred objects for other reasons, so I should apply the same ruler to other faiths.

Can Christians celebrate Chanukah?

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
Back to Top View JennGM's Profile Search for other posts by JennGM Visit JennGM's Homepage
 
SimplyMom
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Jan 11 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 118
Posted: March 03 2008 at 3:25pm | IP Logged Quote SimplyMom

For several years our old parish "re-enacted" a Seder meal during Lent. It always sat badly for me and after some serious thought I decided that I really felt it to be the wrong thing to do. Especially since they sold tickets too it and acted out parts with a script. Which I know doesn't answer the question.

I don't think there would be anything wrong with a Catholic family owning a menorah or even celebrating Jewish Holidays, as long as it was an earnest expression and not something more like theater. But I have been known to have odd opinions on such things.
Back to Top View SimplyMom's Profile Search for other posts by SimplyMom Visit SimplyMom's Homepage
 
ShawnaB
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Nov 05 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 377
Posted: March 04 2008 at 2:56pm | IP Logged Quote ShawnaB

We have a Menorah, and we are Christians. However, dh's family is Jewish. I think what SimplyMom and Jenn say is wise. It could be offenive to misuse sacred objects in ways that they are not intended. However we use our Menorah to celebrate the legend of Chanukah. It is not an event mentioned in the Bible, however it is a God-glorifying story. My dh always celebrated Chanukah, and for his mom and sister, it brings them joy to come over during the Advent Season (what we call it!) and light the candles and eat latkas. Because the celebration is not contrary to our faith, and it honors the God that we worship, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we don't have a conflict over it.

This year, we sat by the fire with my SIL, sipping tea and watching the Menorah flames and the Advent wreath flames flicker. I read a sweet book called The Trees of the Dancing Goatsby Patricia Polacco about a Jewish family who helped their Christian neighbors one Christmas during a flu epidemic. And we also read several Advent books. The lighting of the Menorah candles has in some ways allowed a more open dialogue between our family.

__________________
Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
Back to Top View ShawnaB's Profile Search for other posts by ShawnaB Visit ShawnaB's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com