Comments on: Festa dell’Immacolata

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:32:36 +0000

Thank you all for correcting the failing memory of my catechism! And yes, pagans are religious, thank you for pointing that out – I merely meant that you don’t often see this type of religious expression in a Catholic religious service. But thanks to everyone for your comments and appreciation of the photographs.

By: David Hammond

David Hammond — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:33:57 +0000

Thanks for the beauitful pictures and information.

Today, theologians tend to consider original sin as the partially distorted world that all are born into–racism, for example, manifests original sin–and not something genetically transmitted in individuals. The doctrine of Mary as born without original sin is a symbol of the divine guarantee that the Savior born to her will achieve the divine purpose: to provide the solution to the problem of evil. God takes no chances.

One more thing: pagans are religious too.

By: Stanley Crabb

Stanley Crabb — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:09:53 +0000

Yes, an exciting and beautiful sight such bonfires. In southern Italy about 50 years ago, August the 15th each year was when you could see fires all over the countryside. Literally…everywhere. BIG FIRES! They were set in the fields by farmers “in order to burn off” the crop stubble as well as “to fertilize the ground” for the next planting. We learned there was another reason for the fires: they were to “light Mary’s way to heaven.” August the 15th was in fact Ascension Day, according to Catholic tradition, the bodily Ascension of Mary. In Switzerland instead, August the first was their “National Day,” marking the day in 791(?) when Switzerland became a single nation–their unification Day. They still light fires every year. It’s quite a sight to see these huge bonfires at every town on both sides of Lake Zurich. Some of them would go on burning for hours, long after the fireworks had ignited the sky!

By: Bill Braun

Bill Braun — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:12:12 +0000

I know what you mean – but think it more accurate to say that the Church teaches that man is stained or tainted – not cleansed – from “original sin” at birth. Baptism supposedly cleanses one from “original sin”. Thank Augustine for that bit of nutty reasoning. – - – I enjoy reading the Notebook – you are marvelous writers.
Bill Braun

By: Bob Insull

Bob Insull — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:01:34 +0000

Actually, the Catholic Church teaches that man is cleansed from “original sin” not at birth but at Baptism.

By: Cathy V.

Cathy V. — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:21:02 +0000

If I remember my catechism, man is born with original sin that’s why unbaptized babies went to limbo. So, baptism is what cleanses the soul.
Right?

By: Eleonora (Lola)

Eleonora (Lola) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:59:51 +0000

Great post! Breathtaking photos!! WOnderful wonderful wonderful!!!
Ciao Lola xx

By: Marget Wallace

Marget Wallace — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:10:20 +0000

I believe that the Catholic Church teaches that we are born with “original sin” and it is washed away at baptism – not birth as stated in today’s ItalianNotebook piece.