When I was at the flea market last Sunday, I saw this ... thing ... at one of the booths. Okay, all you Catholics out there, what IS this?
(photo and listing credit abc_outpost)
It's a wall hanging ... thing, with a sculpture of Mary and Jesus inside. The bottom opens up to reveal two candle holders, a plate, a spoon, and a crucifix. You should be able to see the detailed listing by clicking here.
At first I thought, okay, it's some kind of home communion set, but ... a spoon and a plate? No little cups?
I'm intrigued. What in the hell IS it?
8 comments:
Okay. I'm just guessing here. I haven't been a die-hard Catholic and I wasn't raised in it.
I suspect this is like a little home altar. My mother-in-law used to have a baby doll dressed in bishop-y finery on its own little shelf in the living room. I was told this was the "Infant of PRAY-gue." (Prague.)
There are also some old school Catholics who keep a cross above the bed where they sleep. In it are the things needed to give someone last rites, AKA Extreme Unction. If the priest can't make it in time, someone might have to break out the holy water and the chrism (oil).
Yes, Becs is correct. It's a home altar/baptismal and last rites kit. The round plate is to hold the communion wafer. The spoon is to feed the ill person wine if they take communion in that specie and might also be used to hold the salt for the baptismal rite. Candles are for either ritual; if baptism, one of the candles is handed to the sponsor and the other candle remains on the altar.
- Bridgett
How is it possible my in-laws don't have this? They have the plastic holy water fonts in every room right below the light switch. Christmas present!
Becs, I have several Infants of Prague! I love the crown they wear, the globe they hold, and the full-length nightgown they wear beneath their royal robes. Awesome!
and Bridgett, what part does salt play in a baptism? I thought the kid just got watered ...
queen, now I want a holy water font, too! Is that so, if you're feeling less than holy, you can give yourself a little refresher? Just curious ...
Thanks for letting me know what this thing is, guys. Too bad I can't afford it. :)
Doesn't seem that water fonts and light switches would go together well, safety-wise.......Ginny
I don't think they do the salt in the modern rite...but in pre-Vatican II baptismal rites, here's the answer:
The Imposition of Salt
Now the priest puts a little blessed salt in the candidate's mouth. Salt is the symbol of that wisdom which gives a relish for the sweetness of divine nourishment; preserves, by the teaching of the Gospel, from the corruption of sin, and prevents evil passions from growing in men's souls. Adult catechumens might be signed on the brow, ears, eyes, nostrils, mouth, breast, and between the shoulders before the imposition of salt. If this procedure is followed, afterwards the candidate will kneel, recite the Our Father several times, and a Cross is made on his forehead, first by the sponsor and then by the priest.
- Bridgett
Ha, Ginny, it's electrifyin'!
and thanks for the info, Bridgett! Who knew that salt could prevent evil passions?
This thing is too fascinating ("In Case Of Emergency, Break Glass"?)...I want to picture the "nearly" departed sitting bolt upright demanding to know when that plate and spoon were last washed.
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