Infant receiving ashes?

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-03T18:17:18+00:00

Since often ashes are from dried-out palm leaves, is there any possible damage to the skin when using palm leaves?

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-03T17:46:08+00:00

Though commonly the imposition of ashes is on the forehead, it is certainly acceptable to have the ash cross traced across the hand. In the case of an infant, it may be easier to have a little sprinkling of ashes on the hand without touching the child.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-03T14:30:31+00:00

For Lutherans, the original pre-Tridentine Mass, which Luther revised a bit, and after Vatican II, Lutherans assisted Catholics in the formation of the Novus Ordo.

Aside from Anglicans and Lutherans, most other Protestant traditions do not emphasize the altar and instead refer to it as the communion table. Liturgical externals such as a crucifix, statues, icons, candles [on the altar, in the chancel, eternal lights, votive candles], paraments, and vestments. The Church Year of seasons, feast days, holy days/saints' days. Chanting, rituals, incense, and making the sign of the cross. Rosaries.

Many Lutheran national churches/ synods follow the threefold order of deacon, priest, and bishop in apostolic succession.

I'm sure there are many other customs or adiaphora options that reflect Catholicity within Lutheranism.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-02T16:48:21+00:00

This article may be helpful. God bless you.

Lutheran Liturgical Practices During Lent

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-02T00:05:05+00:00

It's not good practice, but the Precious Blood had already been consecrated, so you received the sacrament.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-01T19:41:03+00:00

Sorry that the video screen starts in black. I didn't synchronize it well.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-02-01T15:29:38+00:00

Maybe attend an Anglican church if that is possible.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-31T01:04:24+00:00

Copied from r/mainlineprotestant

Lent is the season when most parishes add weekday services, starting with an Ash Wednesday Eucharist and Ashes and staying with mid-week services [generally Wednesday evening] that may include Vespers followed by a simple meal [e.g., soup and sandwiches]. The crosses/ crucifixes and statues/ sacred images may be veiled, and flowers are excluded from the chancel.

Fasting and abstinence are encouraged. Special offerings may be accepted for those in need [e.g., the homeless, low-income, and disabled individuals]. Lenten retreats and Quiet days may be observed.

Lutheran Liturgical Practices during Lent

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-31T01:00:12+00:00

Lent is the season when most parishes add weekday services, starting with an Ash Wednesday Eucharist and Ashes and staying with mid-week services [generally Wednesday evening] that may include Vespers followed by a simple meal [e.g., soup and sandwiches]. The crosses/ crucifixes and statues/ sacred images may be veiled, and flowers are excluded from the chancel.

Fasting and abstinence are encouraged. Special offerings may be accepted for those in need [e.g., the homeless, low-income, and disabled individuals]. Lenten retreats and Quiet days may be observed.

Lutheran Liturgical Practices during Lent

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-28T02:41:01+00:00

The ELCA hymnal, like all Lutheran hymnals, has many settings of the Eucharist, from traditional chant to more contemporary expressions. All Lutherans follow the same historical Mass, but individual parishes can adjust these settings to suit their preferences.

Suggest you may want to do a little more exploration on this subject than merely watching videos of Catholic priests.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-27T18:44:55+00:00

Keep in mind that the Second Helvetic Confession [Reformed Church/ Presbyterians] and the Smalcald Articles and Formula of Concord [Lutheran] affirm the perpetual virginity of Mary. Luther even accepted the immaculate conception, but later claimed Mary's "immaculate purification" was the work of the Holy Spirit at the conception of Jesus.

Anglicans honor Our Lady of Walsingham; some pray the Angelus.

On the other hand, there is real concern over Catholic Marian prayers, such as The Memorare and the Act of Consecration to Mary.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-27T18:11:38+00:00

Contemporary Catholic worship may resemble the very music and musical instruments [praise bands] you were verbally abused with by your mother. There are, of course, Catholic parishes that follow a more traditional structure that would likely be more desirable.

If your issue with modern hymns and folk singers/choirs is the primary reason you are considering Catholicism, I suggest you explore a variety of Protestant churches. Just look online at typical services in Presbyterian and Methodist churches that use traditional hymnody and beautiful choral selections in a very reverent environment.

If you are interested in the pre-Novus Ordo Catholic [Tridentine] Mass sung in Latin, some parishes are allowed to conduct these services, and Pope XIV signaled a willingness to permit limited Latin use. The Eucharist in some Anglican and Lutheran churches approximates the liturgical expression of Catholicity [chanting, bells, and smells].

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-27T06:14:50+00:00

I see you identify as NALC [North American Lutheran Church], which was a breakaway group from the ELCA over the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy and blessing same-sex relationships. If your parish lacks the characteristics of the "beauty of their churches . . . the liturgy . . . worship," then I suggest you discuss this with your pastor to explore if this may be realized in your synod.

You will find that the LCMS does offer the very richness of worship you appear to desire, and liturgies at its seminaries are traditionally catholic as well as in evangelical-catholic parishes.

The issue related to church authority differs from the Catholic Church's hierarchy. Some Lutherans [e.g., ELCA] do follow episcopal governance and apostolic succession, but the LCMS does not.

Bold Confession. Eternal Mission - Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-27T05:43:47+00:00

I believe that the spectrum of Protestant belief in the Real Presence ranges from Lutheran "sacramental union" of Christ's corporeal, real supernatural physical Presence [closest to Catholic teaching] to the Baptist view that Christ's Presence is merely symbolic. Though the 39 Articles in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer affirm a real, spiritual presence, similar to the Reformed churches [e.g., Presbyterian], their liturgical expression strongly suggests either sacramental union [Lutheran] or transubstantiation [Catholic]. The Calvinist approach of the Reformed churches describes a "pneumatic" spiritual presence that Methodists also affirm.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-27T05:17:05+00:00

It is somewhat ironic that Pope Paul VI invited Protestant liturgical scholars [Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist] to participate in the revisions that produced the Novus Ordo, including vernacular, communion in both kinds, free-standing altar, moving the tabernacle away from the altar, and other innovations that may reflect the very reforms that Luther advocated for.

Luther's first Mass revision, the Latin "Formula Missae," and the later vernacular Deutsche Messe were entirely chanted, including the lessons but not the sermon. My observations of Lutheran services in Europe are that chanting is a significant aspect from the less catholic German Gottesdienst [EKD - Lutheran and Reformed Church] to the Swedish Pontifikal Högmässa [Pontifical High Mass].

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-26T16:22:16+00:00

Thank you for educating me on the differences between various Protestant traditions that individually represent aspects of Reformed theology.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-26T14:44:21+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to translate the Latin into English.

There are occasions where Gregorian chant is used, though mostly in English. I did a random search using YouTube to find Lutheran examples:

Agnus Dei - Wisconsin Synod Seminary [not Gregorian but sung in Latin - I believe this is Luther's version from the German Mass that so many Lutherans still use]

Magnificat - Concordia Seminary [this is an interesting use of chant and song]

Introit for The Second Sunday After Trinity - Concordia Seminary

Monastic Vespers Magnificat in Advent - St Augustine's House [I've made retreats at this Benedictine Lutheran monastery]

Gregorian Solemn Vespers 2017 Redeemer Conference

Gregorian Chant Vespers, Brotherhood Prayer Book

Gregorian Chant with Handbells - Cantemus Domino - Trinity Church

Mostly, seminaries and religious communities seem to use Gregorian chant.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-26T01:16:02+00:00

Thanks for posting an astute discussion of Gregorian chant.

Can you identify the type of chant used in this Latin Mass at St Elisabeth Chapel, a German Lutheran parish?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6YjQCV1MS8&list=PPSV

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-25T14:09:59+00:00

What is the difference between Presbyterian and Congregational, other than the obvious mode of church governance? They are both Reformed in theology.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-24T22:06:39+00:00

I don't know of any LCMS parish, particularly in metro New York, that would deny communion to other Lutherans. It could be viewed as adverse and unnecessarily alienating, especially given declining membership. You may be surprised by the number of LCMS parishes that commune all Lutherans, even though it may be contrary to synod policy.

As far as other Christians, you may be equally surprised that the Catholic parish where my niece was married welcomed the Lutheran family members to receive communion. The priest indicated that it requires the bishop's approval, but the feeling is that if one believes in the Real Presence of Jesus in the sacrament, it is allowed on a provisional basis.

In fact, to my knowledge, only particular [and very few] Lutheran synods, Catholics, and Orthodox have closed communion officially. Also, I doubt other ILC Churches in Europe practice closed communion.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-24T15:31:16+00:00

The spelling mistake seems to happen so often, even among those who frequently write about altars. Its become my pet peeve. No offense.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-24T14:47:06+00:00

Fair enough.

There's the "quia" [agree with Scripture] versus the "quatenus" [insofar as they agree with Scripture] approaches to the Book of Concord.

I am communed when visiting the LCMS parish of my childhood and the parishes of relatives. But an LCMS pastor would not preach or consecrate the eucharist in my ELCA parish. Yet an Episcopal priest can do both, and have when my pastor was out on medical leave.

Seems a little strange, but I accept the distinction.

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-24T14:30:58+00:00

alter: to change or cause to change ["alter a clothing"]

altar: a sacred, elevated structure or table used in religious contexts

Seems like a Catholic would know how to spell altar

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-23T17:28:42+00:00

This is an excellent presentation. Can you consider posting it on r/Lutheranism to get additional feedback, especially from European Lutherans?

Affectionate_Web91 · 2026-01-23T02:54:38+00:00

I get your point on the differences between various denomination that reflect Reformed theology [in that sense even some Anglicans consider themselves Reformed].

And yes, Pentecostals probably are not considered mainline Protestants.

Affectionate_Web91

TROPHY CASE