Catholics: after watching the Popes visit to Britain on TV, I would like to ask....?

In a typical Mass, we are taught Christianity, the tenants of the faith, etc. during the priest's homily. The homily is usually 10-12 minutes in length, although for High Mass, it may be a bit longer. Homilies are not to be marathon events, since the purpose of the Mass is the sacrifice, not the speaker. The homily is also a reflection on the 3 readings. Some priest are better at integrating it than others.

But this is not the only source of learning. Most parishes (in the US at least) have bible study groups, catechesis for young people, and of course, a priest, deacon, or sometimes a nun on hand to answer questions. Once Catholics are confirmed in the faith, they are not required to attend these, just Mass. Just speaking from personal experience, I should have paid more attention lol. God Bless the internet as a great source of information.

The "ceremony" has deep meaning. I'd argue that most Catholics don't understand what is going on at Mass, let alone non-Catholics. I was raised and learned *how* to do all that ceremony (from the laity end), but now that I am an adult, I took it upon myself to learn *why* we do it. I was blown away. Now, I can't wait to get to Mass again.

If you feel like spreading the Good News was missing from the Pope's visit, then I'm afraid that you missed a great deal. He called out militant atheism and relativism and decried the rejection of Christianity across Europe. Seriously, find his speeches and read them a couple of times. Think about what he's saying. I can't think of hearing a higher proclaimation of the gospel by anyone.

Another poster explained some of the masses celebrated by the RCC.

Bottom line is, the largest scriptural teachings are contained within the Catechism which is a practical reference guide to the New Testament.

The Catechism explains passages, and the Catechumen is prompted to read the passages chapter and verse.

Otherwise, mass typically follows liturgy.

The purpose of mass is communion with the host. So the wafer and the cup represent body and blood of Christ.

If you want a complete run-down of Catholicism, it will take a couple of years for you to understand it, and there is not enough space here to even begin to explain tortured theologies.

Chapel is for Methodists. Church is for Catholics. I attended a Roman catholic school in the 1950s and we never read from the bible. We were taught Christs teaching but the bible was never refered to. In fact I do not think there is a Roman Catholic Bible.

EDIT. There is a big difference here between the USA and UK teachings. In the UK we do not have homilies, we have sermons. Looks like the catholic faith is taught differently in the 2 countries.

There is a difference between Traditional Christianity (Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicsm) and modern versions of it.

In the Traditional Christianity the focus is on God, the services (Divine Liturgy or Mass) is about worship of the Creator and ultimately partaking of the Holy Sacrament (Holy Communion) if you are worthily prepared.

For Orthodox Christians (sorry I can't speak to Roman Catholic liturgics)...if you want Holy Scripture, the service is largely lifted verbatium from the Old and New Testaments. And the actions of the Vespers & Matins services (All Night Vigil) and extending into the Divine Liturgy we recreate the history of the universe from Creation, to the Fall of Man, through to Christ's salvific actions, and the part we Christians play in all of it.

In modern version of Christianity, there are songs, bands, culminating not necessiarily in receiving worthily the Body and Blood of Christ (though some groups do have some practice in honor of the Last Supper); but receiving the words of a man....a sermon.... stirring words. The focus is entirely different.

In Orthodox Services you will have a typicaly maximum of 10 minutes of homily (sermon) but have 2 hours of service to God. We don't go to Church to meet man, but we go to Church to encounter God in stillness and prayer.

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

If you are unaccustomed to such worship, lacking the extraneous actions of many Protestant group worship, then all you hear is prayer and Scripture... its different to be sure, but it is the way that Christians have practiced their religion for the past 2000 years.

Most Catholic churches have adult faith formation groups, Bible studies, apologetics, R.C.I.A. etc. These are usually held during the week not at Sunday Mass. Although any Mass will have some teaching about the Bible in the Homily.

Plus there are plenty of resources on line...oh, and some of us read books too..lol.

Some of my favorite authors are, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas Merton and St. Thomas Aquinas.

"how are you taught about the Bible in chapel?" ---- We are taught about the faith through use of the Bible in conjunction with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

As a Catholic, there are many ways we can continue to improve on the way we deliver the teachings. They are there, indeed, and can be found in mass, where we read 3 passages a week and the Priest gives his homily.

there are Bible readings at every Mass and we have bible studies in the Churches and we are encouraged to read Scripture for ourselves. The priests homilies usually are given from the readings---they teach then and also spiritual advice is given personally as well most usually in confession or if you have a personal spiritual adviser by appointment.

but like the Queen of the South's eunuch who read the Scriptures but did not understand them we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us. Understanding is a fruit of the Holy Spirit as well as the tongues some say is the most important but Scripture tells us understanding is more important

I visited the Catholic church over Easter this year. The had a singing group. And the sermon was directly from the Bible. I liked it. It was better than some wild pastor putting his own thoughts into the gospel.

Jesus never built a church and I don't think it was even his concept.

your a weirdo