Catholic Grout List

[Romans1513]

Ok thanks!!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Terra Firma' date='04 May 2004 - 03:47 PM' timestamp='1083710859' post='185000']
This is from a thread I dug up a while back when I was looking for threads that could be moved to Converts Anonymous ... I think this is good information for those of us who haven't grown up in the Catholic Church and are still figuring out all the details of what it means to be Catholic. I know for myself, there's been some significant culture shock, and I know from talking to others (hsmom, for one) that the same has been true for them.

If anyone has things to add to the list, feel free.

So here goes (thanks to Lil Red Devil for the original post):

[b]The Loren Barr Catholic Grout List[/b]
Converts and reverts to the faith are often unaware of the little things that good cradle Catholics "absorb" as children that make day-to-day Catholic living run smoother. While not as essential to the Faith as doctrinal belief and sacramental participation, these "little things" are the grout that holds the mosaic of Catholic living, giving it context and texture. This list is named after Loren Barr, a convert to the Catholic Church and a CatholiCity Citizen, who once asked Bud Macfarlane to make up a list of "little things" to help other converts.

1. No, you don't have to wear your scapular in the shower. But keep it handy, so you can lunge for it in case you have a heart attack.

2. Yes, say grace in restaurants out loud, whether alone or with others, even for breakfast and lunch. You can say it in an understated way--Catholics are not ostentatious in public.

3. When you genuflect, you can pray this simple prayer: "I love you, Jesus."

4. The Big Five Intercessors are Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, Saint Anthony, Saint Therese the Little Flower, and Saint Michael the Archangel. Just about every good Catholic I know relies on them, often daily. Why? They really, really work. Please note: Saint Philomena and Blessed Escriva seem to be trying to crack this list in recent years--please give them every opportunity to do so.

5. Yes, when you drive by a church, whether alone or with others, (and whether they are Catholic or not), make the sign of the cross, and tell Jesus you love Him interiorly. Only explain if you are asked.

6. Carry rosary beads with you at all times. You never know when Our Lady is going to need your help (and we hers). Some Catholics hunt for just-the-right-sized leather carry pouch so it's more comfortable in your pocket (for men) and doesn't get tangled in your purse (for women). What if you don't have rosary beads? Yes, it's okay to use your fingers; that's why God gave you ten. Make a habit of giving your rosary beads away at the slightest prompting.

7. At minimum, here are prayers that every Catholic should know by heart: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen, the Angelus, Saint Michael Prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Act of Contrition, the Miraculous Medal Prayer (O Mary, Conceived...), Guardian Angel Prayer, Grace Before Meals, and the Apostles Creed. If you want to show off at parties, also memorize them in Latin. Most of these prayers are available on the free Mary Foundation Rosary tape or CD, or you can read them online.

8. Make a pilgrimage to Fatima or Lourdes or Saint Peter's in Rome or all three at least once in your lifetime. Short on cash? See Loren Barr Grout #4; the Big Five love to finance pilgrimages. Still short on cash? There are shrines to drive to in just about every state, including Fatima and Lourdes shrines, and the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC will substitute for Rome in a pinch.

9. If you meet the pope, kiss his ring. You can also kiss the ring of your bishop or cardinal (it makes the liberal ones squirm, but hey, that's their problem--you're honoring Christ, not them). Optional: I've been known to kiss the sacred hands of priests.

10. When you walk or drive by a Catholic Church, even if you're running late, stop. Walk in. Pray for someone. Tell Jesus you love him. Your visit doesn't have to last more than a few seconds. If the door is locked, genuflect and pray. (I asked my wife to marry me outside a locked church, sitting on a grate next to the outside wall, just inches away from Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament inside.)

11. Keep a bottle of holy water in your house. Keep a small bottle of holy water in your travel kit--sprinkle it on your hotel bed and make a sign of the cross with water on the door of the room. Say the Saint Michael Prayer.

12. Invite the priests, nuns, brothers, and deacons you know to dinner. If you take them out, insist on buying. This Catholic tradition has fallen woefully out of favor in recent years. Reverse the trend!

13. Holy pictures and statues in your home and office are good for you. They remind you to pray. Buy according to your own tastes. Make your own little rules: have at least one crucifix, picture or statue of Mary or a saint, or of the pope, in every room. A stranger should be able to visit your house and be able to tell if you're Catholic in less than a minute. Keep Bud Macfarlane novels and Mary Foundation audio tapes handy in case they make comments. The Catholic Marketing Network has a list of Catholic retailers who sell statues and holy images in your area.

14. To keep your scapular from flapping all over the place inside your shirt or blouse, cut a small slit in the fabric at one end and slide a Miraculous Medal and/or Saint Benedict Medal in there. It will weigh down the front and relieve you from having your medal(s) tangle in the scapular cords. Keep a back-up scapular in your travel kit.

15. If you're not in a state of grace--especially if you're not in good health or have to travel--walk up to any priest, knock on any rectory door, call up any priest, and ask them politely if they can hear your "quick confession." Good priests will be glad to accommodate you, and you'll keep it short. In these days of sadly empty confession lines and truncated confession schedules, it's only just.

16. If you like to pray the Rosary in the car, but find you get distracted before you start, make sure you start praying it before you turn on your radio.

17. You can use a saftey pin to attach a Miraculous Medal to your baby's diaper or clothing.

18. If you pass an accident while driving, always say at least one Hail Mary and Our Father for the accident victims and the paramedics.

19. Although not "required," many Catholics like to print "J.M.J." on the tops of their letters and emails to honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

20. Whenever you wash your hands, say a Hail Mary.
[/quote]
i love this list.

[Slappo]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='28 July 2010 - 12:40 PM' timestamp='1280346029' post='2149191']
i love this list.
[/quote]

I think I disagree with some of it, but for the most part i like it!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Slappo' date='28 July 2010 - 01:24 PM' timestamp='1280348681' post='2149218']
I think I disagree with some of it, but for the most part i like it!
[/quote]
what do you mean?

[Maggyie]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='28 July 2010 - 05:39 PM' timestamp='1280349570' post='2149225']
what do you mean?
[/quote]

Personally I think having a picture of the saints or the pope or a crucifix ineverysingleroom is kind of overkill and would turn off guests more than intrigue them. I remember I once stayed in someone's house and the walls in the hallways and ever single room were covered with Catholic stuff, and it weirded me out, and that was post conversion! It's similar to people who you find that wear a scapular, AND a Miraculous Medal, AND a rosary, AND a St. Michael medal, AND a crucifix, AND a Divine Mercy chaplet, AND medals for multiple other saints all strung around their neck. Makes you go....hmmmm.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Maggie' date='28 July 2010 - 02:06 PM' timestamp='1280351183' post='2149235']
Personally I think having a picture of the saints or the pope or a crucifix ineverysingleroom is kind of overkill and would turn off guests more than intrigue them. I remember I once stayed in someone's house and the walls in the hallways and ever single room were covered with Catholic stuff, and it weirded me out, and that was post conversion! It's similar to people who you find that wear a scapular, AND a Miraculous Medal, AND a rosary, AND a St. Michael medal, AND a crucifix, AND a Divine Mercy chaplet, AND medals for multiple other saints all strung around their neck. Makes you go....hmmmm.
[/quote]
it says:
Make your own little rules

and you 'can' do this, or you 'can' do that.

is your home for you, and your family...or other people?

[Slappo]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='28 July 2010 - 01:39 PM' timestamp='1280349570' post='2149225']
what do you mean?
[/quote]


Well... the following:

4. The big five intercessors (list saints here). Those are common intercessors, but I would disagree with referring to them as "the big five" as it gives the feeling of "these are the best saints for interceding". Also, the Theotokos is not included in that list. She is a saint and by far she is the top 1 intercessor, she is also the most common due to prayers such as the rosary.

5. I would not make the sign of the cross when passing by any church that did not contain the Holy Eucharist. I make the sign of the cross to show reverence for the sacred presence of the Eucharist when passing a church. I also make the sign of the cross when passing Orthodox churches due to them having the Real Presence. I would actually discourage making the sign of the cross when passing non Catholic/Orthodox churches. Those buildings are not blessed and they do not have a tabernacle.

9. We are not only honoring Christ when kissing a Bishop's ring. We are humbling ourselves and showing our submission to the Bishop's authority as Shepherd of his diocese.

10. I would hesistate to stop in a church when running late. It may break the virtue of prudence depending on the circumstances.

15. I would not ask a priest to hear my "quick confession". I will not "rush" a sacrament. It also gives the priest the idea that "I want you to hear my confession, but please don't talk to me for long... make it quick..."



Other than the above I don't see any problems with the list. Overall it is pretty good.

[sistersintigo]

[quote name='Isaiah41:13' date='17 January 2005 - 07:42 PM' timestamp='1106001724' post='493686']
When a fire truck or ambulance drives by with the sirens on make the sign of the cross and say a quick prayer or Our Father/Hail Mary.
[/quote]

the one I learned for that occasion was:
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, help the afflicted...

[Debra Little]

[quote name='Terra Firma' timestamp='1083710859' post='185000']
This is from a thread I dug up a while back when I was looking for threads that could be moved to Converts Anonymous ... I think this is good information for those of us who haven't grown up in the Catholic Church and are still figuring out all the details of what it means to be Catholic. I know for myself, there's been some significant culture shock, and I know from talking to others (hsmom, for one) that the same has been true for them.

If anyone has things to add to the list, feel free. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/lol_grin.gif[/img]

So here goes (thanks to Lil Red Devil for the original post):

[b]The Loren Barr Catholic Grout List[/b]
Converts and reverts to the faith are often unaware of the little things that good cradle Catholics "absorb" as children that make day-to-day Catholic living run smoother. While not as essential to the Faith as doctrinal belief and sacramental participation, these "little things" are the grout that holds the mosaic of Catholic living, giving it context and texture. This list is named after Loren Barr, a convert to the Catholic Church and a CatholiCity Citizen, who once asked Bud Macfarlane to make up a list of "little things" to help other converts.

1. No, you don't have to wear your scapular in the shower. But keep it handy, so you can lunge for it in case you have a heart attack.

2. Yes, say grace in restaurants out loud, whether alone or with others, even for breakfast and lunch. You can say it in an understated way--Catholics are not ostentatious in public.

3. When you genuflect, you can pray this simple prayer: "I love you, Jesus."

4. The Big Five Intercessors are Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, Saint Anthony, Saint Therese the Little Flower, and Saint Michael the Archangel. Just about every good Catholic I know relies on them, often daily. Why? They really, really work. Please note: Saint Philomena and Blessed Escriva seem to be trying to crack this list in recent years--please give them every opportunity to do so.

5. Yes, when you drive by a church, whether alone or with others, (and whether they are Catholic or not), make the sign of the cross, and tell Jesus you love Him interiorly. Only explain if you are asked.

6. Carry rosary beads with you at all times. You never know when Our Lady is going to need your help (and we hers). Some Catholics hunt for just-the-right-sized leather carry pouch so it's more comfortable in your pocket (for men) and doesn't get tangled in your purse (for women). What if you don't have rosary beads? Yes, it's okay to use your fingers; that's why God gave you ten. Make a habit of giving your rosary beads away at the slightest prompting.

7. At minimum, here are prayers that every Catholic should know by heart: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen, the Angelus, Saint Michael Prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Act of Contrition, the Miraculous Medal Prayer (O Mary, Conceived...), Guardian Angel Prayer, Grace Before Meals, and the Apostles Creed. If you want to show off at parties, also memorize them in Latin. Most of these prayers are available on the free Mary Foundation Rosary tape or CD, or you can read them online.

8. Make a pilgrimage to Fatima or Lourdes or Saint Peter's in Rome or all three at least once in your lifetime. Short on cash? See Loren Barr Grout #4; the Big Five love to finance pilgrimages. Still short on cash? There are shrines to drive to in just about every state, including Fatima and Lourdes shrines, and the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC will substitute for Rome in a pinch.

9. If you meet the pope, kiss his ring. You can also kiss the ring of your bishop or cardinal (it makes the liberal ones squirm, but hey, that's their problem--you're honoring Christ, not them). Optional: I've been known to kiss the sacred hands of priests.

10. When you walk or drive by a Catholic Church, even if you're running late, stop. Walk in. Pray for someone. Tell Jesus you love him. Your visit doesn't have to last more than a few seconds. If the door is locked, genuflect and pray. (I asked my wife to marry me outside a locked church, sitting on a grate next to the outside wall, just inches away from Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament inside.)

11. Keep a bottle of holy water in your house. Keep a small bottle of holy water in your travel kit--sprinkle it on your hotel bed and make a sign of the cross with water on the door of the room. Say the Saint Michael Prayer.

12. Invite the priests, nuns, brothers, and deacons you know to dinner. If you take them out, insist on buying. This Catholic tradition has fallen woefully out of favor in recent years. Reverse the trend!

13. Holy pictures and statues in your home and office are good for you. They remind you to pray. Buy according to your own tastes. Make your own little rules: have at least one crucifix, picture or statue of Mary or a saint, or of the pope, in every room. A stranger should be able to visit your house and be able to tell if you're Catholic in less than a minute. Keep Bud Macfarlane novels and Mary Foundation audio tapes handy in case they make comments. The Catholic Marketing Network has a list of Catholic retailers who sell statues and holy images in your area.

14. To keep your scapular from flapping all over the place inside your shirt or blouse, cut a small slit in the fabric at one end and slide a Miraculous Medal and/or Saint Benedict Medal in there. It will weigh down the front and relieve you from having your medal(s) tangle in the scapular cords. Keep a back-up scapular in your travel kit.

15. If you're not in a state of grace--especially if you're not in good health or have to travel--walk up to any priest, knock on any rectory door, call up any priest, and ask them politely if they can hear your "quick confession." Good priests will be glad to accommodate you, and you'll keep it short. In these days of sadly empty confession lines and truncated confession schedules, it's only just.

16. If you like to pray the Rosary in the car, but find you get distracted before you start, make sure you start praying it before you turn on your radio.

17. You can use a saftey pin to attach a Miraculous Medal to your baby's diaper or clothing.

18. If you pass an accident while driving, always say at least one Hail Mary and Our Father for the accident victims and the paramedics.

19. Although not "required," many Catholics like to print "J.M.J." on the tops of their letters and emails to honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

20. Whenever you wash your hands, say a Hail Mary.
[/quote]



[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]"Converts and reverts to the faith are often unaware of the little things that good cradle Catholics "absorb" as children that make day-to-day Catholic living run smoother."[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]
[/size][/font][/color]
[font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][color="#595959"][size=4]I am a convert since 87 and this has not been my experience at all. More often converts to the Catholic Church appreciate the faith[/size][/color][/font]
[font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][color="#595959"][size=4]and the Church more than a lot of cradle Catholics[/size][/color][/font]

[jenzeler]

I have a huge collection of holy cards I would like to give away if anybody could use the. I don't want to sell them because they have all been blessed. Please message me if you want me to mail them. I will send them free if you are a good Catholic and promise to use them well.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='jenzeler' timestamp='1299576315' post='2219111']
I have a huge collection of holy cards I would like to give away if anybody could use the. I don't want to sell them because they have all been blessed. Please message me if you want me to mail them. I will send them free if you are a good Catholic and promise to use them well.
[/quote]
If you live near any convents, you could give them to the Sisters. From what I hear, they LOVE holy cards. But why don't you want to keep them?

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='Debra Little' timestamp='1299286613' post='2218056']
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]"Converts and reverts to the faith are often unaware of the little things that good cradle Catholics "absorb" as children that make day-to-day Catholic living run smoother."[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]
[/size][/font][/color]
[font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][color="#595959"][size=4]I am a convert since 87 and this has not been my experience at all. More often converts to the Catholic Church appreciate the faith[/size][/color][/font]
[font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][color="#595959"][size=4]and the Church more than a lot of cradle Catholics[/size][/color][/font]
[/quote]
I don't think that was what the article is about. While the converts may appreciate the "meat and potatoes" (as it were) more, they might now have been taught all of the table manners (to use a really stupid analogy).
(In other words, while converts might understand transubstantiation better than the average pew warmer, he might not know some of the less dogmatic, more customary/traditional aspects. Like knowing textbook French, but not knowing the colloquialisms and idioms.)

[Debra Little]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1299609807' post='2219239']
I don't think that was what the article is about. While the converts may appreciate the "meat and potatoes" (as it were) more, they might now have been taught all of the table manners (to use a really stupid analogy).
(In other words, while converts might understand transubstantiation better than the average pew warmer, he might not know some of the less dogmatic, more customary/traditional aspects. Like knowing textbook French, but not knowing the colloquialisms and idioms.)
[/quote]

get it. thanks. i think i'd rather not bother my mind with all that stuff. just love Jesus

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Debra Little' timestamp='1299286613' post='2218056']
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]"Converts and reverts to the faith are often unaware of the little things that good cradle Catholics "absorb" as children that make day-to-day Catholic living run smoother."[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]
[/size][/font][/color]
[font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][color="#595959"][size=4]I am a convert since 87 and this has not been my experience at all. More often converts to the Catholic Church appreciate the faith[/size][/color][/font]
[font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][color="#595959"][size=4]and the Church more than a lot of cradle Catholics[/size][/color][/font]
[/quote]
i took it to mean that it's the little things....you know, the things that cradle Catholics tend to do on 'auto-pilot'? (not saying that it's wrong or right)

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Debra Little' timestamp='1299641775' post='2219395']
get it. thanks. i think i'd rather not bother my mind with all that stuff. just love Jesus
[/quote]
well, many of our saints died defending 'all that stuff' (i'm speaking of the Truths of the Faith, passed down through the centuries). unfortunately, watered down 'just love Jesus' cr[i]a[/i]p is what lead many of the young people (and their parents) not knowing the Truth of the Catholic Faith. yes, love Jesus, by all means. but also learn and know the Faith (which is inseparable from Jesus).