Author Topic: Plain Catholics (Read 4001 times)

Matthew · « **on:** May 08, 2011, 12:49:03 AM »

Plain Catholics

I had never heard of them before last week. I was quite surprised to learn of their existence. I didn't think there was any wide-scale movement of Catholics along those lines -- at least nothing with a name to it.

The funny thing is, they'd probably get along well with me -- in most ways. I'm sure we'd have our disagreements, but I'm interested in learning more about them as I pursue the perfect path of "what a Catholic should do and how he should live" here in the wild, decrepit 21st century.

What's especially interesting is that they don't have any communities to speak of -- just a loose federation of families linked through cyberspace. Sounds like some of the homesteaders here on CathInfo, only minus the hats and bonnets!

They seem to be very earnest about advancement in the spiritual life -- they take the Faith seriously -- like the average CathInfo member.

I'm also starting this thread in hopes that some Plain Catholics will join CathInfo! I found a thread on Fisheaters in which that very thing happened. Well, CathInfo has some serious Search Engine position as well, so we'll just have to wait a few weeks and see what happens. In the meantime, let's keep this thread going so Google can find it easier :farmer:

Matthew

h1478971 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2011, 03:07:19 PM »

amen!!!

Matthew · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:50:52 PM »

I still need to "digest" the whole concept, as there are many side issues that could (and should) be discussed here. Of course, from a philosophical standpoint (as always!)

I think that even if there are a couple "flaws" with the movement, you'd still end up with a better Catholic than most Catholics are. Because even if there are two downsides, you'd be betting the 4 or 5 "upsides" which make it a net positive, or at least better than average.

Like I said, let's discuss the movement, what we can learn from it, and how each one of us might already qualify as a "Plain Catholic" -- and how we'd not qualify.

So the first question is, what is required to be a Plain Catholic? We need a distilled list, something like one of their websites stripped of all the Scripture quotes.

What is the sine qua non (without which, "no") of being a Plain Catholic?

Matthew

Darcy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:16:52 PM »

I googled "plain catholics blogspot" to see if they have a blogging community and I got some hits.
It looks like plaincatholic.blogspot posts at CAF ?

I am not sure yet if they are Traditional Catholics or N.O.?

Here's a thread that got purged at CAF
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:1byAy2peHTAJ:forums.catholic.com/showthread.php%3Fp%3D3713330+plain+catholics+blogspot&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

I am going to check this out and get back to you later.

:farmer:

LordPhan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:44:44 PM »

I found this site, it looks like they are concillarists. Why I do not know.

http://www.freewebs.com/plaincatholic/

MaterDominici · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:50:39 PM »

It might have shifted topics a few times, but that CAF thread at least began specifically about the style of clothing and not about the movement in general.

I think how they dress and why is probably the most discussed element of those who consider themselves to be Plain Catholics and distracts from all of the many things they do which are plainly very good Catholic practices.

Sigismund · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2011, 10:07:26 PM »

I believe I have read that they my attend either the Latin Mass or the NO. I don't remember where I read that. Probably here. I expect they could attend an Eastern Rite liturgy as well.

momofmany · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2011, 10:11:57 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

It might have shifted topics a few times, but that CAF thread at least began specifically about the style of clothing and not about the movement in general.

I think how they dress and why is probably the most discussed element of those who consider themselves to be Plain Catholics and distracts from all of the many things they do which are plainly very good Catholic practices.

You can be a Catholic and be everything they describe on their website without adopting the exact same 'fashion' as the Amish/Mennonite communities. Women can cover their heads,wear simple dresses that cover the collar bones, knees and elbows, men can wear simple, solid colored clothing and not mimic the Amish head coverings, dresses and color choices. So why do they? Why do they specifically want to look Amish/Mennonite (as I am led to believe by the pictures out there on Plain Catholic webistes) vs. just being simple, modest and unworldly?

It just really interests me especially knowing the Anabaptists feelings and beliefs about Catholics. I had quite a few Mennonite class mates in college. When I converted they all completely hit the roof. No other person or group of people of any faith has attacked me to my face about Catholicism with such intensity as those sweet little Mennonite girls with their white caps.

Darcy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2011, 10:17:28 PM »

So far looks disgruntled N.O.
http://awomansplaceis.blogspot.com/search/label/Mass

and CathAmish (appears the N.O. doesn't like this one too much):
http://plaincatholic.blogspot.com/

Here's a website. I haven't read it all yet.
http://www.freewebs.com/plaincatholic/ourhistory.htm

MaterDominici · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2011, 11:34:37 PM »

Quote from: Darcy

and CathAmish (appears the N.O. doesn't like this one too much):
http://plaincatholic.blogspot.com/

where did you get that impression?

Here's a post from there:

Quote

People delight me, frustrate me, and provide me with endless excitement...which is why I sometimes pray for a rut.

Still, I am amused by the assumptions I encounter in the daily. One eager woman approached me with her smile and a Bible tract and asked me if I was Amish or Mennonite. I replied I am Catholic (as if the crucifix I was wearing did not explain it). "CATHOLIC!!!!" she screeched and scurried away as if I were some diseased thing.

Then there are sweet folks who come to the house and think they will find
1. A monastic cell
2. A horse and buggy
3. A hermit's cave.

Plain Catholics know we will be misunderstood. Tis part and parcel of the charism. All the saints and Jesus Himself encountered the assumptions and the misunderstandings. So we laugh and gently let them know that while we use technology such as cars and phones, we do not let it possess us. We see it as a particular use rather than a status symbol. The core of our charism is the Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina, and simplicity in life and lifestyle: Ora et Labora.

Inside of our homes you will see Catholic art and gifts from our children. You will also see old furniture and basic appliances. You will even see some with a wood cook stove for winter meals and warmth... and books, books on the Faith, books on the farm, books of gentle humor and books to record the outcomes of bees and chickens, gardens and projects. As the seasons progress you will see the various activities change in our lives from gardening, to sewing, to woodworking, to wood splitting; we enjoy working with our hands as well as our minds. You will not see us own a Mercedes nor a Lexus; we keep our homes small, our gardens large. Our clothing is simplified, we do not wear expensive Jєωelry. Our crucifixes are simple as are the rosaries. However these are all just externals; less is more.

We do not "party", but we do have family gatherings and engage our youth in wholesome fun. We have even been known to take vacations, mostly camping and the visiting of relatives. Places where you will not see a Plain Catholic: Casinos, nightclubs, bars, nor discos. Places you will find us - Mass, home, volunteering for the church and the community; the occasional meal at the local diner or camping, fishing, and hunting. We also visit the Catholic shrines and cathedrals.

Some folks will say they live this way already and did not know there was name for it. So you may be Plain and not know it...till now.

The Plain Catholic heart is the heart of the charism. We rejoice in our faith. We do not collect for the sake of collecting because it means we are owned by the material. We hope only to be owned by Jesus Christ the Eternal and to express His love for all people in our lives. Be patient with us if we sometimes fail, as we seek to be patient with you. All of us are only human after all.

Darcy · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:15:35 AM »

I think its because I couldn't find the thread at CAF and bc they were referred to as CathAmish I just assumed that the conciliar church might want to keep them on low profile because they appear on the surface to be mimicking protestants. On the surface.
I think they are searching for roots and the N.O. wants to keep them out of the limelight. I don't see how anyone searching for truth would find the N.O. at all appealing.

Its more important to be a true Catholic than look religious. I see nothing wrong with dressing modestly, even very modestly but to wear it as a costume that has been already assumed by a protestant religion and even to affect the language of those protestants just makes me wonder.
It seems incongruent to accept N.O. and then adapt a lifestyle like that.

Do they know about the Traditional Catholics?

herbert · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2011, 05:49:04 AM »

Quote from: Darcy

It seems incongruent to accept N.O. and then adapt a lifestyle like that.

good point!

s2srea · « **Reply #12 on:** May 09, 2011, 08:56:04 AM »

Quote from: herbert

Quote from: Darcy

It seems incongruent to accept N.O. and then adapt a lifestyle like that.

good point!

Yes great point! And is it me or do I see a parrallel between that (accepting the NO) and using their fashion which is undoubtedly used by protestants...? Sort of what M.O.M. said:

Quote

Women can cover their heads,wear simple dresses that cover the collar bones, knees and elbows, men can wear simple, solid colored clothing and not mimic the Amish head coverings, dresses and color choices. So why do they? Why do they specifically want to look Amish/Mennonite (as I am led to believe by the pictures out there on Plain Catholic webistes) vs. just being simple, modest and unworldly?

Edit: I am not saying they are ill-intentioned, only that there is something, 'not' catholic about it... Is it because I've never seen it before, or heard of it? I don't know, maybe. I just don't think of Catholicism ascribing to 'any' style but modesty.

Darcy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2011, 10:47:09 AM »

They are ripe for defecting from the conciliar church, imo, as they are outwardly showing signs of rebellion.
I see it as a call for help.
They are at risk of going schism if they keep the novelty up but they may also be curious about our simple life of Truth.
So maybe someone should leave charitable comments on their blogs.

MrsZ · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:30:03 PM »

I think that we're supposed to dress and behave according to our station in life. That includes the type of clothing we wear and the things that we do and how we live. For example, people who buy "McMansions" are trying to look and act like something they're not. They're putting on a "show" to impress others and they're living above and beyond their means to do it.

Similarly, we are not to dress in any manner that is outside our station in life or in a way that is in contrast to our Faith.

So, as other's have said, to dress in a way that specifically says "Amish" or "Mennonite" to people is a problem. It's not the truth, therefore it is dishonest.

We struggle with this issue a lot ... in terms of blending in and looking "secular" in our lives ... and while there is no specific style of clothing attributed to being Catholic ... I do think that wearing the clothing of the day, affordable and in keeping with one's gender and modesty .. is what looking "Catholic" is all about; not wearing a costume of another religious sect.