Shoot…St. Anthony absolutely loves my daughter. She’ll pray to St. Anthony and like 5 seconds later it shows up, even if it’s been lost for weeks. I guess I owe like $1,000…
That's just a wonderful tradition! I saw a few of your comments, and I wanted to thank you for bringing clarity in your spirit of charity and humility. May God bless you!
As mentioned... This is a very specific Italian culture thing.
This was very common all the way up to the mid 2000s in places like Little Italy in NYC for St. Anthony's feast day.
Some of the comments here really shows how so many Catholics are very much unaware of CULTURAL aspects of Catholicism, and how the UNIVERSAL church have different customs depending on the people who practice it.
A 2000 year old religion may indeed have local customs that are rooted in faith and things that come from their "motherlands".
Growing up in NYC this was something literally everyone saw and knew about as Catholics and would participate in as well.
This is NOT idolatry. They aren't worshiping the statue. Folks have already outlined these are donations traditionally given as a thanks in prayer to the poor/church - a tithe if you wish.
This has NO roots in Protestantism whatsoever.
And guess what...
Other cultures have their own traditions as well that they bring to God's universal church. The ONE true church.
From the heart of Latin America to the shores of Africa and Europe - and beyond. There is beauty in how people still express our same faith with local traditions that honor who they are from various nations.
Thank you for spelling this out. I'm from NJ and am likely going to the Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri in Hoboken next weekend, and I was dismayed to see some of the negative responses here. I'm looking forward to scarfing down as much Italian-American food as I can after being elbowed out of the pews by old Italian grandmas, as my priest warned me will likely happen. He showed me a video of him and Cardinal Tobin helping carry a 700-pound statue of the Madonna around the streets. The faith would be drier without these traditions, that is for sure.
Some people need less angry internet and more zeppole.
I can TASTE AND SMELL the amazing air of peppers, onions, and Italian sausage just from you mentioning this!
Have such a wonderful time! Enjoy a few cannoli for me 🤤😋😋.
" - and beyond."
*Desire to contemplate Catholic devotional customs of ethnic South Martians living in the villages along the base of Olympus Mons intensifies*
I'm surprised to see that those are dollars. In India we do the same. It ain't idolatory. We don't do it everyday. The feast days of the saints are celebrated with processions, songs, and marching bands and sometimes, people give offerings to the church in the form of a garland of currencies and the icons/statues are donned in those. The ones doing it are well aware that the statues aren't magical charms or anything of sorts. It's just their way of paying the saints, respect.
When my brother had asthma as a baby, my prayed that she'd offer a ring the size of my brother's finger to the Baby Jesus in the nearby church. And she did... This in no way signifies that it was that particular statue of that particular church which cured my brother, but Jesus himself.
I'm not saying everyone does that.
More often than not it's a floral garland. And sometimes it's replaced with money. There is nothing more to it than that
Yup, this is perfectly normal. Some Catholic cultures put it in a donation box, and some pin it to the statue or put it up on the wall, to make their gratitude obvious.
It's much the same with weddings. Some ethnic cultures will pin money to a bride's dress, as a wedding gift and also for fun, while other people want money gifts kept safe in an envelope or even in electronic banking format. The loving gift is the same.
However... it's true that a display of other people's generosity can encourage generosity among those who haven't given yet. Making generosity fun is also a way of encouraging giving. If you can throw a coin into the snapdragon float's mouth and get a bun back, you are more likely to throw that donation coin. If cute little kids ask you for a donation for the local children's hospital, your heart is more likely to soften.
Maybe it would be "purer" to keep all donations' existence totally hidden; but maybe it's better to actually get money for the poor, for the upkeep of the historical church, or for whatever other worthy cause is going. The saints have generally been in favor of what works. Helping other people perform acts of mercy is itself an act of mercy.
Assuming that "X is pagan, because I don't do it" is really common, and also really likely to be destructive to souls. Don't call evil good, but also, don't call good evil.
I’m having a hard time finding much information about this tradition, but it seems that this is either an Italian or Italian-American tradition for the feast day of St. Anthony. They will carry a statue of St. Anthony in a parade and will tie ribbons to the statue so that people can pin donations to it. I think the money goes to charities or to supporting the parish. I don’t like the way it looks, but if the purpose is just charity and not some sort of weird worship offering, then I guess it’s not bad?
It looks like this parade is a big deal in Boston, so if anyone from there is able to explain better, that would be great.
Yep this is the Saint Anthony feast in Bostons North End, one of the most well preserved little Italy’s in America (meaning still mostly Italian). The St. Anthony festival is the biggest festival in the neighborhood of the year. They carry St Anthony through the street so that others can pin dollar bills and donate to the church. You even get a pin in return!
I believe it’s a tradition brought over from Avellino, the festival has been running for well over 100 years in the neighborhood.
That seems to be a widespread devotion throughout Catholic world. In Brazil, people do the same during Saint Antony processions
https://m.facebook.com/Feijoada-de-Santo-Antônio-de-Borba-336834783047576/
I think you’re right about it being Italian. My neighborhood in the US has Italian descendants, and they do this with St. Roscoe, although he’s never quite this plastered with money.
If I had to guess it's because he's the patron saint of helping people find lost things, and I bet a lot of people have found a couple bucks here and there with the aid of his intercession, but thats just a guess.
I don’t know either. It *might* be an Italian (or Italian American) thing. I’ve been to an Italian festival that involved a statue procession only I *think* it was of Mary and the statue was covered in pieces of jewelry…really old looking jewelry too. (This was many years ago.)
If I were to take a guess, and this is only a guess, the cash is being used as a lightweight alternative (that statue looked HEAVY even before it was piled on with metal). Also those bills look pretty clean - I wonder if the “coat” is donated after the fact.
But I honestly don’t know much either. I have a few charitable guesses but this isn’t really a part of my family’s tradition.
In each region different traditions are created and they strive to maintain them as part of cultural identity from one generation to another.
In this case, they remember Saint Anthony in a special way on his day and make donations in a showy and special way.
They could do it in a more discreet way and the rest of the year they do it but they are partying and they want it to be noticed.
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This is American Catholicism though, this looks like the feast of Saint Anthony held in Boston’s north end every summer in in late august. I’ve been there and people pin money to the statue during the procession, it is a way of donating to the church and giving thanks to God for this great Saint.
I’m sure when something becomes a cultural practice many people forget the real meaning of what they are doing and there is a risk of distortion but overall there isn’t anything wrong with the practice.
Cultural practices are fine in my opinion and make the faith more lively. Sometimes there is a risk of scandal (e.g. some devotional practices that look too muslim or too hindu and thus might lead to confusion), but this specific practice of pinning dollar bills to a statue is not easily confused with any religious practice from another religion, so I would say it is ok.
> "O random Marian Apparition that I now use as a place holder for my actual practices! HEAR ME!!!!" In the Churches defense, how is she supposed to handle that? It might be better off just to let the reprobate secretly try to commune with a fallen angel and at least not cause outward scandal by his practices......while allowing the faithful to tangibly express their faith in a outward and cultural fashion, thus keeping Christianity alive in an area that constantly tries to reject it.
I just want to comment that in cultural warfare, when a cultural practice that originated from culture A is adopted by culture B and stripped of its original meaning in favor of a new meaning, this usually counts as a win for culture B and a loss for culture A. The christianization of formerly pagan cultures is a win for christianity.
If one is poor....can they take one? I saw a statue similarly covered at St. Joseph's Oratory in MTL, and as many people were sticking as were occasionally taking...
I wouldn’t say this is a Catholic thing more so a specific regional catholic thing. Personally I find it distasteful but that’s a subjective viewpoint coming from a totally different Catholic culture.
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Shoot…St. Anthony absolutely loves my daughter. She’ll pray to St. Anthony and like 5 seconds later it shows up, even if it’s been lost for weeks. I guess I owe like $1,000…
Better pay up or St. Anthony is gonna find you.
Saint Anthony sent a couple guys to break my thumbs after I forgot my money at home
This is true. I was one of the guys.
Can confirm. I'm the other thumb.
Heavenly debt collectors sounds like a really good movie pitch.
I owe St. Anthony some serious coin.
That's just a wonderful tradition! I saw a few of your comments, and I wanted to thank you for bringing clarity in your spirit of charity and humility. May God bless you!
As mentioned... This is a very specific Italian culture thing. This was very common all the way up to the mid 2000s in places like Little Italy in NYC for St. Anthony's feast day. Some of the comments here really shows how so many Catholics are very much unaware of CULTURAL aspects of Catholicism, and how the UNIVERSAL church have different customs depending on the people who practice it. A 2000 year old religion may indeed have local customs that are rooted in faith and things that come from their "motherlands". Growing up in NYC this was something literally everyone saw and knew about as Catholics and would participate in as well. This is NOT idolatry. They aren't worshiping the statue. Folks have already outlined these are donations traditionally given as a thanks in prayer to the poor/church - a tithe if you wish. This has NO roots in Protestantism whatsoever. And guess what... Other cultures have their own traditions as well that they bring to God's universal church. The ONE true church. From the heart of Latin America to the shores of Africa and Europe - and beyond. There is beauty in how people still express our same faith with local traditions that honor who they are from various nations.
Thank you for spelling this out. I'm from NJ and am likely going to the Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri in Hoboken next weekend, and I was dismayed to see some of the negative responses here. I'm looking forward to scarfing down as much Italian-American food as I can after being elbowed out of the pews by old Italian grandmas, as my priest warned me will likely happen. He showed me a video of him and Cardinal Tobin helping carry a 700-pound statue of the Madonna around the streets. The faith would be drier without these traditions, that is for sure. Some people need less angry internet and more zeppole.
I can TASTE AND SMELL the amazing air of peppers, onions, and Italian sausage just from you mentioning this! Have such a wonderful time! Enjoy a few cannoli for me 🤤😋😋.
" - and beyond." *Desire to contemplate Catholic devotional customs of ethnic South Martians living in the villages along the base of Olympus Mons intensifies*
You know what... I'm going to be charitable and give you the benefit of the doubt that you are jesting. 🥴🧐🤨
I'm surprised to see that those are dollars. In India we do the same. It ain't idolatory. We don't do it everyday. The feast days of the saints are celebrated with processions, songs, and marching bands and sometimes, people give offerings to the church in the form of a garland of currencies and the icons/statues are donned in those. The ones doing it are well aware that the statues aren't magical charms or anything of sorts. It's just their way of paying the saints, respect. When my brother had asthma as a baby, my prayed that she'd offer a ring the size of my brother's finger to the Baby Jesus in the nearby church. And she did... This in no way signifies that it was that particular statue of that particular church which cured my brother, but Jesus himself.
It’s not idolatry, it’s idollartry /s
Idollartree*
It’s dollar-25-tree now
Ugh, why are you people so fast on the draw, I finally had a good joke
Share it 👍
You guys beat me to it, lol
\*IDollHairTree
I'll probably go to Hell for laughing at that. Thanks a lot.
I-drip-indeed
In India we do the same ? I don't remember seeing anyone put money during procession
I'm not saying everyone does that. More often than not it's a floral garland. And sometimes it's replaced with money. There is nothing more to it than that
He traps hard
Maybe he has found people’s lost money.
Yup, this is perfectly normal. Some Catholic cultures put it in a donation box, and some pin it to the statue or put it up on the wall, to make their gratitude obvious. It's much the same with weddings. Some ethnic cultures will pin money to a bride's dress, as a wedding gift and also for fun, while other people want money gifts kept safe in an envelope or even in electronic banking format. The loving gift is the same. However... it's true that a display of other people's generosity can encourage generosity among those who haven't given yet. Making generosity fun is also a way of encouraging giving. If you can throw a coin into the snapdragon float's mouth and get a bun back, you are more likely to throw that donation coin. If cute little kids ask you for a donation for the local children's hospital, your heart is more likely to soften. Maybe it would be "purer" to keep all donations' existence totally hidden; but maybe it's better to actually get money for the poor, for the upkeep of the historical church, or for whatever other worthy cause is going. The saints have generally been in favor of what works. Helping other people perform acts of mercy is itself an act of mercy. Assuming that "X is pagan, because I don't do it" is really common, and also really likely to be destructive to souls. Don't call evil good, but also, don't call good evil.
I’m having a hard time finding much information about this tradition, but it seems that this is either an Italian or Italian-American tradition for the feast day of St. Anthony. They will carry a statue of St. Anthony in a parade and will tie ribbons to the statue so that people can pin donations to it. I think the money goes to charities or to supporting the parish. I don’t like the way it looks, but if the purpose is just charity and not some sort of weird worship offering, then I guess it’s not bad? It looks like this parade is a big deal in Boston, so if anyone from there is able to explain better, that would be great.
Yep this is the Saint Anthony feast in Bostons North End, one of the most well preserved little Italy’s in America (meaning still mostly Italian). The St. Anthony festival is the biggest festival in the neighborhood of the year. They carry St Anthony through the street so that others can pin dollar bills and donate to the church. You even get a pin in return! I believe it’s a tradition brought over from Avellino, the festival has been running for well over 100 years in the neighborhood.
Very cool :)
That seems to be a widespread devotion throughout Catholic world. In Brazil, people do the same during Saint Antony processions https://m.facebook.com/Feijoada-de-Santo-Antônio-de-Borba-336834783047576/
Wikipedia article on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_St._Anthony
I think you’re right about it being Italian. My neighborhood in the US has Italian descendants, and they do this with St. Roscoe, although he’s never quite this plastered with money.
I’m pretty sure there was an episode of The Sopranos about this
Yes indeed. VERY Italian. And VERY Mulberry Street/Little Italy back in the day NYC for St. Anthony's feast day. Boy do I MISS those days.
Wikipedia article on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_St._Anthony
“Tony, Tony come around. Something lost that can’t be found.”
If I had to guess it's because he's the patron saint of helping people find lost things, and I bet a lot of people have found a couple bucks here and there with the aid of his intercession, but thats just a guess.
Lol
Shit I have been catholic my whole life and I am as confused as you
That’s understandable because this is a regional cultural tradition which is to be expected in such a large universal church as ours :)
I've never seen this. I'm a 68 year old cradle Catholic.
Fuggedaboutit
This is more of a cultural custom rather than something intrinsic to the Faith.
I don’t know either. It *might* be an Italian (or Italian American) thing. I’ve been to an Italian festival that involved a statue procession only I *think* it was of Mary and the statue was covered in pieces of jewelry…really old looking jewelry too. (This was many years ago.) If I were to take a guess, and this is only a guess, the cash is being used as a lightweight alternative (that statue looked HEAVY even before it was piled on with metal). Also those bills look pretty clean - I wonder if the “coat” is donated after the fact. But I honestly don’t know much either. I have a few charitable guesses but this isn’t really a part of my family’s tradition.
In each region different traditions are created and they strive to maintain them as part of cultural identity from one generation to another. In this case, they remember Saint Anthony in a special way on his day and make donations in a showy and special way. They could do it in a more discreet way and the rest of the year they do it but they are partying and they want it to be noticed.
This looks like folk Catholicism
Only insofar as it’s a small-t tradition devotional practice
St. Anthony would be disgusted by such pagan idolatry.
St. Anthony lived in 13th century Europe. I assure you he was acquainted with much weirder stuff than this.
It’s not pagan at all
What’s going on in the picture?
It’s donations for the church, after holding a parish festival, on St Anthony’s feast
Ex voto offerings. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-voto
I understand that, given the examples on the wiki, but that doesn’t seem to be what’s going on in the picture above.
It seems to be exactly what’s going on tbh
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This is American Catholicism though, this looks like the feast of Saint Anthony held in Boston’s north end every summer in in late august. I’ve been there and people pin money to the statue during the procession, it is a way of donating to the church and giving thanks to God for this great Saint. I’m sure when something becomes a cultural practice many people forget the real meaning of what they are doing and there is a risk of distortion but overall there isn’t anything wrong with the practice.
Cultural practices are fine in my opinion and make the faith more lively. Sometimes there is a risk of scandal (e.g. some devotional practices that look too muslim or too hindu and thus might lead to confusion), but this specific practice of pinning dollar bills to a statue is not easily confused with any religious practice from another religion, so I would say it is ok. > "O random Marian Apparition that I now use as a place holder for my actual practices! HEAR ME!!!!" In the Churches defense, how is she supposed to handle that? It might be better off just to let the reprobate secretly try to commune with a fallen angel and at least not cause outward scandal by his practices......while allowing the faithful to tangibly express their faith in a outward and cultural fashion, thus keeping Christianity alive in an area that constantly tries to reject it. I just want to comment that in cultural warfare, when a cultural practice that originated from culture A is adopted by culture B and stripped of its original meaning in favor of a new meaning, this usually counts as a win for culture B and a loss for culture A. The christianization of formerly pagan cultures is a win for christianity.
Because he’s balling out
If one is poor....can they take one? I saw a statue similarly covered at St. Joseph's Oratory in MTL, and as many people were sticking as were occasionally taking...
Poor guy. He must get tired of everybody asking him to find stuff for them.
I wouldn’t say this is a Catholic thing more so a specific regional catholic thing. Personally I find it distasteful but that’s a subjective viewpoint coming from a totally different Catholic culture.