I had a dream last night. I took place back when I was an Altar boy (pre-excommunication), and I do remember gently swinging around some kind of silver cage like device(on a chain) that had some special ash that smoked a lot. During certain special masses, we would use and direct them to the people in the pews. I can't for the life of me remember what that was called, or what the symbolism was. Anyone? Abner
Too Catholic for me... So you were excommunicated? That is so cool. How does that work? Do you get a certificate or letter or something?
I think it's called a censer, or thurible: Censer: Western churches - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Thurible - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bib thurible Also helps to cover up the smell of pilgrims. Botafumeiro - YouTube Uhum - make that a big BIG thurible. Sorry about the spelling today.
Not having grown up in the Catholic church (or any church for that matter) what first came to mind when I thought of the word "censer" was Edgar Allen Poe's poem The Raven: "Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer"
Yes, but I will have to expound upon that later on tonight. Here is a thread that might interest you. http://www.degreeinfo.com/off-topic-discussions/40146-abners-short-lived-career-alter-boy.html Abner :smile:
Damn!!!!! That is one huge censer/Thurible!!!!!!!!! I remember using a much more compact version. I kind of liked swinging that around. I loved all the smoke it made. Thanks BobbyJim and emzee for your answers. Abner :smile:
I was given a document in Latin entitled: Communicatio This document would call for the following: -exclusion from receiving communion -prohibition from receiving sacraments -exclusion from performing Altar boy duties The reason for my excommunication was that I commited a sin while during a holy sacred mass. A from of heresy. Ironically, later as a grown man, I visited Vatican City while travelling throughout Italy, Spain and France. Pope John Paul II was giving a mass on a particular day that I happened to be there. When my turn came up to have a word with the Pope, I asked him if I could be absolved by him. He stated he could, and he would. He gave me a bendicion, and that was that. Abner
Well, I figured since the opportunity came along, why not just go straight to the CEO? The whole thing was kind of surreal now that I think of it. Abner
1 Corinthians 13: 8 But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
Indeed, indeed. In case some our interested. I am sometimes asked about my name and where it came from. My mother selected it out of the bible. See below: "In the Book of Samuel, Abner (Hebrew אבנר meaning "father of [or is a] light"), is first cousin to Saul and commander-in-chief of his army (1 Samuel 14:50, 20:25). He is often referred to as the son of Ner." Full link: Abner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Have a good one, Abner "14. Tzu Lu asked about the qualities of the Chun-Tzu. Confucius said: "If you have wisdom, no desire, courage, and ability, and if you also observe the rules of propriety and refine yourself through music, then you might be a Chun-Tzu . . . . Instead of self-interest, think of justice. When facing danger, face it courageously. Keep your promises without hesitation. Then, indeed, you might be considered a Chun-Tzu." [14.13]" Confucius - The Analects 32. Confucius said: "The Chun-Tzu stands in awe of three things: (1) the mandate (law) of Heaven; (2) great men; and (3) the words of the wise. The inferior man (1) does not know the mandate (law) of Heaven; (2) takes great men lightly; and (3) laughs at the words of the wise." [16.8] Virtue1 33. - Confucius - The Analects
Wow, I have not met anyone who was excommunicated. How does it feel? Are you afraid you won't go to heaven?
Yet Cardinal Law in Boston turned a blind eye to multiple child rapes, and he gets a residence and office at the Vatican. And some people why I have zero respect for the Roman Catholic leadership? Absolutely!! I wouldn't have bothered....Ted Kennedy wasn't supposed to receive communion (never had his marriage to Joan annulled and was very pro-abortion), but the fat load always got it anyway until Cardinal O'Malley said he wouldn't allow it, which is when Teddy stopped going to public services.
Why should he worry? Nowhere in the Bible does God grant the authority to a man on earth (any man) to determine who will enter heaven and who will not. Judgement is God's and God's alone. The Vatican is in the dogmatism business...that's it. They have about as much to say about who gets into heaven as my cat, thus my reason for the recommendation of framing a letter of ex-communication. Not only is it a great conversation starter but it also would remind me that no amount of self importance will ever have bearing on the reality of circumstances.
