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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 8 page paper discusses the Catholic ritual of blessing oneself with holy water when entering and leaving church. The essay reports observations of actions and queries of participants. The ritual is discretely described along with the observed behaviors. The essay then turns to explaining the history and other facts regarding holy water itself and this ritual in particular. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
8 pages (~225 words per page)
File: MM12_PGhlywt.RTF
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
water at the entrance. People use the water to bless themselves. Depending on the time, i.e., how long before Mass actually begins, the area may be crowded or empty. People
are dressed for church, some semi-formal, some casual formal, some casual and a few extremely casual. One can smell the different perfumes, colognes and after-shaves used as well as the
lingering smell of candles burning. People greet each other in this same space. Some seem to be old friends while others seem to be visitors or perhaps members who
stick to themselves. During the observation times, everyone was friendly, or at least courteous to each other. There were clearly groups of people who were friendlier to some people than
to others. Once the ritual was performed and people began walking to pews, they became quiet and more serious observing other rituals, such as genuflecting before entering a pew.
The ritual observed is one that is very short, requiring seconds to perform. Because of its brevity, the observations are reported and then, the writer reports some facts and background
information about the ritual itself, what it means, why it is performed, when it began. When Roman Catholics enter and exit their church, they bless themselves with holy water.
As they enter, the dip finger tips of their right hand into a font of water that has been consecrated by a priest and they make the sign of the
Cross on themselves. The ritual is repeated as they leave the church. This action appears to be a habit by most Catholics. Most do not appear to take action,
neither the dipping of finger tips into the water nor the act of making the sign of the Cross on their persons. Mostly, it is done in a haphazard manner.
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