There was a time in the very recent past that participation in the sacraments acted as a quasi-caste system defining who may marry whom, etc. ... During the ritual which is an exorcism of the original sin that all children are born with, the child through its sponsors renounces Satan three times is anointed with salt, oil, and water. ... The sacrament of Penance was given to us by God as a means to make amends for our sins. ... Although penance forgives any sins committed after baptism it does not render sinning as acceptable. ... This sacrament does not forgive sins but gives one the...

• Word Count: 2331
• Approx Pages: 9

Antonio's thoughts in this chapter indicate a new obsession with sin and punishment. ... Before, he was largely concerned with sin and punishment. ... Or does the dream mean that becoming a priest does not save Antonio from sin as his mother thinks? ... The story involves sin, punishment, and forgiveness. ... The inability to look past biased assumptions is especially visible in the townspeople's treatment of Narciso. ...

• Word Count: 3136
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"The sisters" by James Joyce In my opinion , the story is an illusive story and has a deeper meaning that hides behind the words and symbols that Joyce uses. The boy ,whose dear friend is in fact a 65 years old preist named father Flynn, sensed in a way that something was inappropriate, that...

• Word Count: 541
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The Magdalene Laundries Since the mid 19th century, an estimated thirty thousand Irish women were subject to a life of slavery. Throughout Ireland there were many institutions where this was taking place, the Magdalene Laundries. The term Magdalene came from Mary Magdalene, a sinner who was Jesu...

• Word Count: 505
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

He shows doubt and disagreement with the summoner, whose job it is to collect money from parishioners and make them repent for their sins. ... The failings of this religion's past leave its present followers something to ponder. Will the Catholic Church ever fall into the same cycle of sin and disregard for the true teachings of God?...

• Word Count: 996
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The middle ages of Europe which began with the destruction of the Roman Empire were referred to by a variety of different terms. These titles included the Dark Ages, the Age of feudalism, the Age of Faith and the Golden Age. The fall of the Roman Empire led to the rise of feudalism. During this peri...

• Word Count: 943
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Church attendance has been declining across America for the past decade. ... A lot of my friends have even said they feel really guilty attending church after a weekend of sin. Every person on this planet sins, including priests. ...

• Word Count: 1401
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Church attendance has been declining across America for the past decade. ... A lot of my friends have even said they feel really guilty attending church after a weekend of sin. Every person on this planet sins, including priests. ...

• Word Count: 1401
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The Church has dealt with this issue before, even with new movements such as the current Sex Positive movement going on today and past sexual revolutions, like the one in 1960, it holds firm on its stance on contraceptives. ... Contraceptives have always been a sin to other Christian sects. ...

• Word Count: 2516
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

Catechesis meets an unbeliever at the font and accompanies him as the saint through his life's journey; being a vehicle for the means of Grace, leading to repentance and confession of sins. ... Surely Augustine stands out as the greatest catechist in the history of Christendom, but the value of his work belongs to the past. ... The doctrine taken from the Scriptures is to be confessed by the Church in the past, in the present, and in the future. ...

• Word Count: 1628
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Most adults, especially Reverend Williams, saw captivity as a spiritual journey; a punishment for sins and the destiny assigned them by God. ... By portraying the petite history, Demos provides greater understanding of the motives and reasoning behind the tensions between the New England settlers and the French and Native Americans, which in turn increases understanding of the period as a whole and helps us to relate the past to issues pressing the United States today. ...

• Word Count: 1326
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate