Von Schlesian
Nobility
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2005
- Messages
- 487
- City
- York
- Country
- United Kingdom
I think the most "catholic" or at least the families that you see more at Catholic services and observing traditions are the Belgian-Luxembourg-Lichtenstein-Austria group, who are all related amongst themselves; Spanish, Monegasque and Italian royals seem to be far much more relaxed about it.
I agree entirely. For the group you mention (in addition to the Catholic branches of former-reigning German royal and princely houses), they undertake to fulfill the obligations of the church very seriously. One need only look at the amount of priests, religious and Knights of Malta from among their ranks to see how seriously. It is the same for the nobility of those states. They are often to be found in positions of patronage for various Catholic charities and good works, not just outwardly superficial Catholics for the sake of marrying in a Cathedral, visiting the Holy Father or getting a front-row seat at the Pope's funeral.
It is a constant truth within the Catholic faith that no one may comment on whether another member of the faithful is in a state of grace, we are only required to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ (and do so at the commencement of every mass). So I am voicing absolutely no opinion whether anyone happens to be a 'good', or 'bad', Catholic, I merely wish to support the notion that it appears to come more naturally to the Germans (and the French), to observe the faith with quiet dignity, perhaps due to the oceans of blood that soaked their parts of Europe during the Reformation and its Counter.