Even though Catholicism is based on Christian beliefs, some rituals and practices from pagan religions in ancient times blended into Catholic tradition over the years.
As Christianity spread long ago, the Church found it easier to convert people if they kept some familiar parts of their culture. So traces of pre-Christian folk religions gradually became part of Catholic rites.
Let’s look at some of these pagan holdovers that are still seen in the Church today:
Honoring Saints
The Catholic practice of venerating saints grew out of pagans worshipping minor gods, nature spirits, and dead ancestors. Early pagan converts were used to idolize these beings. So saints became an approved replacement to get loyalty.
Pagans offered tributes at shrines of gods and spirits. Similarly, Catholics pray to saints and venerate their relics. This echoes pagan worship, even if the reasoning differs now. Letting converts venerate saints provided a familiar outlet for their polytheistic habits.
Burning Incense
The use of incense during mass and rituals comes from ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian temples burning fragrant incense to please the gods. The smoke was seen as purifying.
As pagans converted, the Church adapted this by making incense symbolize prayers rising to heaven rather than pleasing deities. Incense remains a core part of the Catholic mass.
Lighting Candles in Church
Lighting votive candles in church appears to come from early Greco-Roman pagans dedicating candle offerings at temples to earn gods’ favor. The flames honored deities.
Later, the Church made candle lighting represent prayers of faith rather than pagan sacrifice. But the ritual endures.
Decorating with Plants
During winter solstice holidays, Germanic, Celtic, and Scandinavian pagans are decorated with holly, ivy, and evergreen boughs. The enduring plants symbolized life and renewal.
Rather than banning this pagan practice, the Church made it Christian by assigning holy meanings to the plants.
Linking Easter to Spring
While Easter liturgically celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and rebirth, secular Easter symbols like rabbits and eggs represent fertility, springtime, and new life. These came from pagan festivals honoring goddesses of fertility such as Eostre.
Instead of rejecting this symbolism, the Church absorbed it by linking Christ’s resurrection to ideas of new life associated with spring.
Blessed Holy Water
Holy water used in Catholic rituals comes from pre-Christian pagan practices of sprinkling blessed water during rituals to drive away evil spirits, curses, bad energy, and misfortune. Pagans believed the blessed water had protective and cleansing powers.
As populations gradually converted to Christianity, the Church allowed this ingrained ritual to continue by having the water represent the protective purity and blessings of Christ instead of magical properties.
Priestly Vestments
The elaborate ceremonial robes worn by Catholic priests and clergy feature expensive metals, intricate embroidery, and colorful fabrics. This sacred garb clearly evolved from the robes and ornate accessories ancient pagan priests wore to convey magical authority and channel the gods’ powers.
As pagan populations slowly converted, the Church likely permitted the familiar and authoritative appearance of pagan priestly clothing to be retained even while rejecting any occult meanings.
Seeking Blessings from Relics
Making spiritual pilgrimages to shrines containing saints’ relics in hopes of being blessed, healed, or divinely guided strongly echoes pre-Christian pagan practices. Ancient pagans revered objects associated with their gods and would journey to offer tributes and connect with their supernatural powers.
As conversion occurred, the veneration of Christian relics endured more so than being abolished.
Chant Melodies
Some scholars believe the distinctive chanting melodies of Gregorian chants share similarities with the musical styles and trance-inducing songs pagan temple priests composed to invoke their gods.
If true, Christianity repurposed the atmospheric musical sounds for the worship of the Christian God rather than eliminating them entirely. The music converted along with the population.
Conclusion
In essence, Christianity integrated bits of paganism to convert people groups rather than eliminating native cultures entirely. So traces of old pagan practices remain woven into aspects of Catholic tradition today.
