Roman Catholicism and the
Cultural Landscape
Note: All photos where the source is not identified were taken by Patricia Rose.
Sacred Structures: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
France
In Roman Catholicism, sacred structures are usually called churches, cathedrals, or basilicas.
Many, like the one shown above, are large and ornate. They reflect the power and
influence of the church at the time they were built. Today that influence is diminishing as the
percent of the population that is non-religious grows.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=notre+dame&qpvt=notre+dame&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=94C5BCCEB3B3CC79161746AAAB092026C7B24CB2&selectedIndex=12
Sacred Structures: Notre Dame Basilica in
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
As people from Europe migrated around the world, they took their religion with
them. Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a heavily
French city, is evidence of this. Near the top of the front of the cathedral, statues of
saints are visible, as is a large cross in the center.
Sacred Structures: Notre Dame Basilica in
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Interior
Notre Dame Cathedral contains a great deal of interior space in order to
accommodate large number of people who convene here for corporate
worship. This large sanctuary has a seating capacity of 2700 people.
Sacred Structures: Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in
Chicago
Not only did the French migrate and take their religion with them, so did many other ethnic
groups. This basilica on the west side of Chicago was built by the many Italian immigrants
who once lived in the neighborhood. They have since moved out, but the impressive
structure with its barrel vaulted ceiling and seating for over 1000 remains.
Sacred Structures: Roman Catholic Church on Isle
de Orleans, Quebec, Canada
Roman Catholic churches are found not only in large cities, but are also very common in rural
areas and small towns with sizable Roman Catholic populations. Although they tend to be a
bit smaller and less ornate, they are often in rather prominent locations. Note the
sculptures of saints on the exterior of the building, similar to those on Notre Dame Cathedral
in Montreal.
Religious place names
Place names such as St. Paul, MN, St. Louis, MO, St. Augustine, FL, and Los Angeles,
CA (City of Angels) are another example of religion’s effect on the cultural landscape.
In Roman Catholicism, many of the place names used are the names of saints. Such
names are clues to the religious background of the town founders. In come cases,
that religious heritage remains in the present day population of the place.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=st+paul+on+map+of+mn&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=st+paul+on+map+of+mn&sc=0-13&sp=-1&sk=#
Agricultural landscapes related to religion
Grapes were first brought to California by Spanish missionaries. They were
introduced here so they could be processed into wine to be used for Holy
Communion which for Roman Catholics, symbolizes the blood of Christ. Grapes are
now a multi-million dollar industry in California.
http://www.bing.com/images/results.aspx?q=national+geographic+pictures+of+vineyards+in+CA&form=MSNH14#view=detail&id=70AA40E171F86A6BF
89112C2319AFEBA1D9D1BD3&selectedIndex=34
Food Preferences and Avoidances related to
religion
Traditionally, Roman Catholics were not to eat meat on Fridays during the season of Lent (the
40 days before Easter). This was one of a number of things Roman Catholics would “give up”
during this season as a way of remembering Christ’s giving up his life. Even though red meat
could not be eaten, the eating of fish was acceptable, hence the Friday night “Fish Fry.”
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=friday+night+fish+fry+signs&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=friday+night+fish+fry+signs&sc=0-23&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=7B94043ED8FB52FA28B8F7BAE1396F3A9D139F26&selectedIndex=100
Sacred Objects – the Holy Bible
The Holy Bible is undoubtedly one of the most common sacred objects to Roman Catholics as
well as to other Christians. Found not only in churches and in Roman Catholic schools, it is
also found in the homes of faithful Catholics throughout the world.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=picture+of+the+holy+bible&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=picture+of+the+holy+bible&sc=3-25&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=337926A873F69F0EB3788D075A138CCF121C99B1&selectedIndex=16
Sacred Objects – the Crucifix
In addition to the Holy Bible, the crucifix is a common object in Roman
Catholicism. This crucifix hangs on the wall in a motel room in Quebec,
Canada. The province of Quebec is home to many people of French
decent, many of whom are Roman Catholic.
Sacred Objects -- Roadside Crucifix
This picture shows a roadside crucifix on the Ile de’ Orleans, an island in
the St. Lawrence River. The island is near Quebec City, the provincial and
cultural capital of the province of Quebec.
Sacred Objects: Roadside Crucifix
Before making their way to the the “New World,” roadside crucifixes were also
common in Europe. Some, like the one shown here remain. This one is located in a
rural, hilly region of France.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=roadside+crucifix+in+france&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=roadside+crucifix+in+france&sc=0-18&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=AF5A951566BD2A0A037612E2F4F6B297B5FAE805&selectedIndex=5
Sacred Object: Roadside Crucifix
Another roadside crucifix is shown here in rural France. It is located in a prominent,
visible position that is clearly visible from the road.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=roadside+crucifix&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=roadside+crucifix&sc=1-17&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=42B68499B69DDCB1FBAFB54E7CE53692DB17135C&selectedIndex=119
Sacred Objects – Roadside Shrines
Sometimes the crucifix is ever more elaborate such as this one which is
part of a roadside shrine depicting Jesus on the cross with his mother
Mary and disciples nearby. This shrine is on the Isle de Orleans in
Quebec, Canada.
Sacred Objects – Statues of the Virgin Mary
Roman Catholics especially revere Mary, the mother of Jesus. As a result, statues of
the Virgin Mary are common. They are found as both interior and exterior
decorations such as this statue of Virgin Mary in someone’s yard.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=statues+of+the+virgin+mary+in+a+yard&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=statues+of+the+virgin+mary+in+a+yard&sc=0-30&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=991F1D6421DAC5A8D40D4ACDA644046D536AE0FD&selectedIndex=446
Lifestyle and Clothing
The nuns in this photo are in the Vatican City awaiting news of the new pope to be elected in
spring 0f 2013. In the past, more women opted for a religious lifestyle. This often involved
teaching in a Catholic school or working in a Catholic hospital and living with fellow nuns in a
convent. Today, fewer women are drawn to this lifestyle and the average age of nuns is
considerable higher than it was in the past.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nuns+in+rome+today&go=&qs=bs&form=QBIR#view=detail&id=9C0BAF3BAD93E0E9EA108A3ACC4D5BAE5
B1F0858&selectedIndex=0
Lifestyle and Clothing
The Cardinals attend a conclave in Vatican City in spring of 2013 to elect a new pope.
Distinctive religious attire is common for men who become priests and is worn not only for
special occasions such as this, but for weekly mass as well. As with the women, fewer men
are opting for this lifestyle today and the number of priests has dropped dramatically.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=papal+conclave&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=papal+conclave&sc=8-14&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=C789F9E758BCFE573BA08AEB1CAC81BC649E20C0&selectedIndex=0
Religion and Death
Cemeteries, are an important part of the religious cultural landscape in places with
large roman Catholic populations. A large crucifix identifies the religious association
of this cemetery on the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, Canada.
Religion and Death
This tombstone in Queen of Heaven cemetery in Hillside, IL is typical of many Roman
Catholics of European decent. Ornamentation includes several crosses, plus pictures of the
deceased and a sculpture of Jesus and a little child.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Mt.+Carmel+cenetery+in+Hillsidee%2C+IL&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=mt.+carmel+cenetery+in+hillsidee%2C
+il&sc=0-29&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=48230C24E78BC34262749212F0E466CB47B8DC2C&selectedIndex=28
Religious Pilgrimages -- Lourdes, France
More than 400,000 people visit Lourdes, France each year making this
the second most frequently visited site in France. Three basilicas – the
Upper Basilica, Rosary Basilica, and the Underground Basilica are found
at this site where a young woman claims to have had visions of the Virgin
Mary. Many have reported healings after visiting this site.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=upper+basilica+at+lourdes+france&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=upper+basilica+at+lourdes+france&sc=0-17&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=EC12976840C7F2DDA6E9114F90507A795268A1C3&selectedIndex=25
Religious pilgrimages -- Lourdes, France
In the evenings, a torchlight procession takes place. Pilgrims walk from
the grotto where the visions reportedly occurred to the basilicas for
mass. Pilgrims come from all over the world, so services are held in
multiple languages.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=night+time+procession+at++at+lourdes+france&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=night+time+procession+at
+at+lourdes+france&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=E514137B5B7DBDE67925B820D608368DC2AB3291&selectedIndex=11
Religious pilgrimages – Lourdes, France
In order to house the many pilgrims who come to Lourdes, many hotels have been built.
Many, but not all, have religious place names such as Pilgrim, Galilee, and St. Francis of
Assisi. The Royal Hotel shown here is in typical French style, including the mansard roof.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hotels+in+lourdes+france&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=hotels+in+lourdes+france&sc=4-24&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=DA6EFC25EC6305B54F77AEC5199B0943CCE77C96&selectedIndex=17
Religious Pilgrimages – Lourdes, France
Thousands of tourists means many opportunities for shopping. The
languages on the store signs indicate the home countries from which some
tourists come.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=souveniers+in+lourdes+france&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=souveniers+in+lourdes+france&sc=0-22&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=23295E8EE4415C9966DE360BB8C961F1DBE7EDEA&selectedIndex=3
Religious Pilgrimages – Lourdes, France
Religious items for sale in a gift shop in Lourdes, France include statues of
the Virgin Mary and many different size and shape containers to hold
Holy Water.
http://www.picturescolourlibrary.co.uk/loreswithlogo/6185171.jpg
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blackboard.cuchicago.edu
World Geography Online
Module 3 - Project: Religion and the Cultural Landscape PowerPoint
For your project this week, you are to create a PowerPoint presentation about the religious landscape
associated with a particular religion - Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, or Buddhism. (Note: Religions will be
assigned so there will be PowerPoints of all of the religions.) Before you begin, you need to have viewed
the PowerPoint "Roman Catholicism and the Cultural Landscape." If you have not already viewed that, do so
now.
Each class member is to create a PowerPoint containing 7 slides. The first slide should just contain the title
(name of religion) and the Cultural Landscape" and your name. The remaining 6 slides
should each contain a picture, title, and caption (like the slides in the PowerPoint on Roman Catholicism).
The pictures should illustrate at least 4 different aspects of the cultural landscape such as:
a) Sacred structures
b) Religious place names
c) Agricultural landscapes related to religion
d) Food preferences and avoidances related to religion
e) Sacred objects
f) Religious lifestyles (including dress)
g) Death and religion
h) Religious pilgrimages
i) Religion and time
j) Religious symbols
To find pictures, you can do a Google search for various items related to your assigned religion. Another good
source of pictures is Google Earth. If you know where a particular religion is found (which you should after
completing the Chapter Review for this module), zoom into a place in that region and look at individual
pictures related to religion. Or, you can use pictures that you take or have taken previously. Pictures should
NOT be from the same places as those shown in your text.
The titles under each slide should identify the feature in the photograph, its location (if applicable), and the
aspect of the cultural landscape it illustrates. (Location must be included for sacred structures, religious place
names, agricultural landscapes related to religion, death and religion, and religious pilgrimages; each of these
takes place in a definite spatial context.) (See PowerPoint presentation on Roman Catholicism.)
Add appropriate and meaningful information in the caption. (See captions in the PowerPoint on Roman
Catholicism.) The captions should explain something about the picture. When possible, relate the
comments to something in the textbook. Include additional information you find through research. Captions
should be at least 3 sentences long. (Note: You will most likely need to reduce the font size in order to fit 3
sentences in, but do not use a font size smaller than 8 pt.)
Finally, you MUST identify all sources used. This includes the source of the photographs as well as the
source of information added in the caption. (See PowerPoint presentation on Roman Catholicism.)
When your PowerPoint is complete, post it to the blog so that your classmates and your instructor can view
it.
Evaluation: Each slide with a picture will be worth 3 points (1 point for the inclusion of an appropriate
picture and 2 points for the inclusion of an appropriate title and caption.) Failure to identify all sources is an
honor code violation and will result in a score of "O" for the assignment. Title slide will be worth 2 points.
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