Field observation paper
For my field observation, I attended a Catholic mass and Pentecostal service, both in my hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The first service I attended was the Catholic mass. The mass started at 10:30 a.m. with a Christmas hymn, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. The priest was wearing a white robe with a purple sash. The colors of the priest's clothing are very symbolic in the Catholic religion, and white stands for purity and peace. The priest's sashes stand for such virtues as resurrection, death, and celebration. The priest was followed by three altar boys who assisted the priest in the mass up on the altar. The first altar boy was carrying a large cross with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on it. The crucifixion is a key symbol of Jesus' crucifixion at Pontius Pilate. It is represented world wide as a symbol of Jesus dying for mans' sins. The other altar boys were carrying candles. The altar boys wore simple white robes with purple belts, signifying the advent season. Advent prepares for the birth of Jesus. When the priest began his opening prayers, he bowed his head in reverence to Jesus and chanted the opening prayer. Many Catholic masses operate in a chanting manner. Another key part to a seas
Also, many churches have a choir which sings songs throughout the mass. The sign of the cross goes from your forehead, your chest, and both shoulders. After about the fourth song the head preacher and the head brother came out and that's when the service really started. The major part of symbolism rests in the breaking of the bread. Before I even pulled up to the church I was overwhelmed with the enormity of the parish. As the service went on the head brother and the preacher talked. The lectern read from the Scripture of Christ through two prayers. The second type of service I attended was a Pentecostal one. The congregation of a mass is directly involved in the ritual as well. It was different seeing all the women with long hair, and dressed so nicely. As the service went on people would just scream out "Amen" and "Yes", to whatever the preacher at the time was saying or maybe even the words to the song. Simply participating in a one-hour mass can open your eyes to so much of religion itself. Then there were about four pews for the "government" of the church. During the mass, the altar was decorated with a wide variety of flowers, a Christmas tree, angels, and other decorative ornaments that were beautiful.
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Acceptance Essays
