Xavier Escobar

Anthropology 121

Dr. Wolfe

9-30-12

STUDYING ROMAN CATHOLICS

UP CLOSEPhoto Field Observation

When I arrived, there were many people ready for the service to begin.

Anyone is welcome to the enter the Roman Catholic church and

participate in the service.

The one leading the service is the priest. The priest reads excerpts from

the Bible and lectures those attending about the religion. Here, the priest

was talking about how we are all children of God.

There is live music playing throughout the entire service. The band playing

is made up of volunteers playing gospel music. The music played is

mostly upbeat and lively and it helps make the service more enjoyable.

During the service, a basket is passed around and everyone is asked to

give alms. Although donating is voluntary, most people donate at least a

dollar. The baskets are actually passed around twice during the service.

Here, the priest is seen blessing the alms.

During the service, people are given the chance to ask to be blessed by the

priest. They can also ask to have one of their belongings blessed. Here, the

priest is blessing a baby.

Near the end of the service, people are given the chance to receive the

Eucharist. The Eucharist is the “body and blood” of Christ. Here, the

priest is blessing the bread, which represents the body of Christ.

Just as the bread represents the body of Christ, the wine represents the

blood of Christ. Here, the priest is blessing the wine.

Here, the priest, along with other volunteers, give out the Eucharist to the

church. Anyone who has received their First Communion is allowed to

receive the Eucharist.

Those who are not part of the Roman Catholic religion or who have not

received their First Communion are not allowed to receive the Eucharist.

They are, however, blessed by the priest.

Once they receive the Eucharist, most people kneel down and pray.

However, you do not have to kneel down. Here, these people are preying to

the images of saints after they have received the Eucharist.

Thank You