Did You Know?

[odhiambo]

I am starting this thread for us to share anything interesting that we come across and think it information worth knowing.
I came across one today which I did not know but which I am sure many of you probably know already. All the same, I will still share it.
Did you know that Latin is the official language of the Church and as such, official documents are first written in Latin before being translated into other languages?
I was surprised to learn this because I thought Latin was dead and buried.

Latin is the official language of the Church because it was the language used at that time.  The Latin Bible was called the Vulgate because it's called the volgare(?) it is written in the "vulgar" language (Latin) since everybody uses the language.  Basically, I guess it's the "common" language.    And isn't it fascinating that it is still the official language of the Church?  Imagine, priests all over the world have to learn this language!  It's quite practical ... so that they don't have to learn all the languages of the world! 

Hmmm, interesting.

[odhiambo]

Knock , Knock.
Did you know about this ancient ritual  following the death of a pope?
When the pope dies, the most senior cardinal approaches the dead pope.
 (These days the ritual is done after the pope’s physician has certified the pope dead of course.)
He takes a silver hammer that is made available for the purpose, and lightly taps on the pope's forehead three times, calling him by his Christian name. When there is no reply, he announces to those present that the pope is dead.
Then the pope’s ring, known as the Fisherman's Ring and his papal seals are smashed to prevent someone else from using the ring to seal a letter or to authenticate a document.
Very interesting.

[Patricia]

Very very interesting, Odhiambo! Never knew that fact 

[odhiambo]

Very very interesting, Odhiambo! Never knew that fact 

Same. I just came across it in this Cathololicism book I am reading.

[pebbles]

I have heard about that...I mean somebody calling the pope's name...to make sure he's really dead.
And as for the the pope's ring being destroyed... I would recommend the movie The Shoes of the Fisherman. Whenever I watch this movie...I somehow think...is it a prediction of Pope John Paul's election to become pope  They seem similar. 

[odhiambo]

Did you know that  the pelican is an ancient symbol of Christ?
 The bird is  known to tear into it's own flesh to use as food for it's young, shedding it's own blood in the process.
Christ did  that as well; He shed His precious blood for our sake 

[Shin]

I love the pelican symbol. If I am not misremembering there was one on the altar at my old church, St. Michael's, with exactly that imagery.

[Patricia]

I love that symbol too, though the pelican doesn't actually do that. It was believed to have done so.   

[odhiambo]

I love the pelican symbol. If I am not misremembering there was one on the altar at my old church, St. Michael's, with exactly that imagery.

Lucky you Shin.
I only read it from books 

[odhiambo]

I just found out that Saint Thomas Aquinas is the Patron Saint of People Who Love Angels!
Is that a fact?

[odhiambo]

Did you know that "The Twelve Days of Christmas"  has a deeper meaning behind the apparently nonsensical verses?

I used to think that this song was just a  nonsense song written for the Christmas season. Yesterday I found out otherwise. 

[Shin]

Hmm, I recall him being known as the Angelic Doctor! I didn't think it quite meant that though! 

What is the deeper meaning??

Hmm.. and why is he called the Angelic Doctor now that I think of it.. all I can remember is the white belt he was given by the angels..

What a gift.. I wish I could have it!

[odhiambo]

Hmm, I recall him being known as the Angelic Doctor! I didn't think it quite meant that though! 

What a gift.. I wish I could have it!

Talk to your Guardian Angel. He could help you there 

[Patricia]

Was it written by persecuted Catholics and has a hidden meaning? I believe I just read it somewhere.

[odhiambo]

Hematidrosis ; or hematohidrosis,
 the phenomenon of sweating blood.
This is what Our Lord suffered during those agonizing hours in the Garden of Gethsemane.
It is a condition in which tiny blood vessels of the capillaries of the sweat glands,
 rupture, causing the sufferer to exude blood through the sweat duct i.e. sweat blood.
 This, reportedly, occurs under conditions of extreme physical or emotional stress.
It is very, very rare but a few cases have been documented, including that of Our Lord of course.

[odhiambo]

I have read that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on plans  to remove the existing  ban on certain never should be uttered words, nudity, etc on television and radio throughout the US of A
Pray, pray and pray that this does not happen and please make your voices heard, those of you in the States. If it happens there, it is sure to spread.
Are we all then Christians in name only? If such a thing should happen in a country that is predominantly Christian ( I am assuming that this is so ) does it  not mean that  we are losing the war or in fact have lost it already?