Yes, I can see it. I was studying Italian for two weeks in Naples in July 2006, and there in time for a festival of Mary. Celebrations included a firework wheel revolving around the church facade—if I remember correctly. I certainly do remember correctly that at that time I wondered “What on earth does this have to do with Mary,mother of Jesus? It' looks like paganism to me!” And of course the word “paganus” just means “country folk —Christianity being a practice of urbanites in early times. (You will, I hope, pardon the Latin teacher here)
Augustine, early missionary to Britain, wrote to Pope Gregory to ask how he should handle the pagan shrines—and the Pope’s reply was —turn them into Christian churches—the people are already accustomed to see these places as sacred.
A lot of the Catholic rituals come from pagan traditions... just saying.
Yes, I can see it. I was studying Italian for two weeks in Naples in July 2006, and there in time for a festival of Mary. Celebrations included a firework wheel revolving around the church facade—if I remember correctly. I certainly do remember correctly that at that time I wondered “What on earth does this have to do with Mary,mother of Jesus? It' looks like paganism to me!” And of course the word “paganus” just means “country folk —Christianity being a practice of urbanites in early times. (You will, I hope, pardon the Latin teacher here)
Augustine, early missionary to Britain, wrote to Pope Gregory to ask how he should handle the pagan shrines—and the Pope’s reply was —turn them into Christian churches—the people are already accustomed to see these places as sacred.