The trouble with Catholic Seder Meals

Posted by Nick

Joe Paprocki has some serious concerns about Catholics celebrating a Seder Meal that I think are worth reading. His first point is the strongest:

First and foremost, the Seder Meal is a sacred Jewish ritual. For Catholics to re-enact this sacred ritual is disrespectful of the Jewish tradition. (Imagine Jewish or Muslim children re-enacting a Catholic Mass, complete with the giggling and awkward moments that are part of any children’s production). The Seder Meal is a Jewish tradition that Catholics should enjoy only if we are privileged to be welcomed to a Jewish Passover table.

Read his entire post here.


Posted on Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at 5:37 am under Lent, Triduum.     

No Responses to “The trouble with Catholic Seder Meals”

  1. Jessica 19. Mar, 2009 at 10:51 am #

    Christianity was never meant to be a separate belief system from Judaism, but a completion thereof.

    When we celebrate the Seder Meal, we don’t laugh and giggle like children to mock the Jews.

    A Jewish friend, upon finding out that we Chrisitans celebrate the Seder, was so excited and felt flattered, hence, honoured. It is in this way that the people of Israel are glorified — as prophesied in the Holy Bible.

    Imitation is the best form of flattery.

  2. Nick 20. Mar, 2009 at 4:54 pm #

    Hi Jessica. Thanks for commenting. For anyone who wants to read a little more about Catholics celebrating a seder meal, check out the USCCB statement, God’s Mercy Endures Forever: Guidelines on the Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Catholic Preaching. Scroll down to paragraph 28 for a direct comment on the practice.

  3. Mel 01. Apr, 2009 at 9:59 am #

    Just wondered if the statement you refer to is still “valid” as it referred to a conference that was over 20 yrs ago? I am a candidate in an RCIA program currently – so I was just wondering?

  4. Nick 01. Apr, 2009 at 10:35 am #

    Hi Mel. Yes, the statement is still valid. I hope you are having a fruitful journey this Lent.

  5. Mel 01. Apr, 2009 at 11:56 am #

    Nick – thank you. It has been a very positive and enlightening journey. Thank you and god bless!

  6. Kae 02. Apr, 2009 at 8:33 am #

    I agree with Jessica. Remember that Jesus’s religion was Judaism; so by holding a Seder meal, we are honoring His traditions. It should be understood that children may giggle when nervous. Unless parents speak with their children and teach them the proper respect for the occasion and tradition, then no mockery should be assumed.

  7. Nick 02. Apr, 2009 at 8:56 am #

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kae. Have a blessed Holy Week.

  8. Diane Peterson 24. Apr, 2009 at 9:48 am #

    We talked about this in Bible Study this morning. Was the Last Supper really a Passover meal? We thought the lamb to be eaten at the Passover was to be slaughtered on Friday-thus the Passover would have been Friday night, not Thursday night.

  9. Nick 26. Apr, 2009 at 8:41 am #

    Hi Diane. The gospels differ on day on which the disciples gathered for the Last Supper. Matthew, Mark, and Luke indicate that the supper was a Passover meal. John, however, says the meal occurred before the Passover began. What is common in all the gospels, however, is that the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples was a fulfillment of the Passover. So the Last Supper may or may not have been a Passover meal, but it has Passover-symbolism in either case. For more on this, see From Passover to Eucharist: God’s Liberating Love by Lawrence Mick.