We tend to overlook a lot of Catholic teaching that is sound and correct. We are indoctrinated against it as Protestants at large have an inherent dislike for them that stems from the 300 year-long reformation wars. Wars, which had little to nothing to do with actual theology.
With the Rosary and in fact all prayer to the saints, the context is very important. All these prayers are centred on Jesus.
I would not teach that we should pray this, but we are out of line if we overly condemn those who do.
The Catholic bible includes the Maccabees which has a few scriptures that strongly hint at such a place. Many passages in other books are used to infer it.
I am not going to go into detail and defend this as I don't believe in it. But I will just say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a belief of God giving those en-route to eternal damnation an opportunity to be properly scrutinized. As Protestants we believe that God properly judges and evaluates us during our time on earth. But with this, many 'human' questions arise. Such as, what of those who die right after the age of accountability? What of those who fall into sin after years of service? Given the time, would they not have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus?
When one meditates on the fact that hell is eternal and irreversible, the concept of a Purgatory becomes logical.
I cringe when I hear people mock their expensive cathedrals and such. It shows a complete lack of understanding.
A - Priests take a vow of poverty and if they don't, they live a simple and modest life.
B - In a church, the most expensive item is a massive crucifix with Jesus on it. Properly placed in the front and centre of the church.
C - A church is beautified in honour of Jesus. Stained windows, paintings and statues of Jesus and all those who help bring glory to Him. Mary, disciples and profound saints.
Now contrast this to some charismatic churches where a sound system and disco lights take centre stage, and the 'priests' seem to take a vow of prosperity. Which is certainly not modest and scriptural.
I don’t see too much wrong with this. In the OT priests were advised to wear certain items. See Lev 16 and Exo 28.
The matter of concern for me is vanity and hypocrisy. IE A. Is the priest wearing these garments to appear holy at church when at home he is a devil? Or B. is the priest wearing these garments for vanity and a carnal power trip?
I would argue that A could go either way as with all Christians and B, highly unlikely. I am sure most priests would prefer to wear sneakers, shorts and a t-shirt instead of dress up in apparel the bible recommended they wear at meetings.
This topic could be a thread all on its own.
Do you believe God is sentimental? Does He want us to be sentimental with Him?
I believe the answer is a resounding yes! If we look at the Sabbath. God wanted all Jews to respect and honour a 'day' of the week. The 'day' of the week was meaningless until it became the day that God helped them escape 400 years of slavery. So now, a Saturday is no longer just a 'day' of the week.
As such, Jews do not worship the 'day'. It is maximum naivety and low intelligence to think that. They desire to honour God, and from this desire they respect and give meaning to a 'day' of the week.
In my own life, there is a parking spot at a gas station where God performed a miracle for me as I shared here
Share your miracle. That spot, I now visit as often as I can and thank God for the miracle. Every time I drive to or park in the spot, I feel God's literal presence near me. It is like me knocking on the door to His house. It is like pushing a button on a television remote that switches on a ''talking directly to God'' station. It is literal idiocy and insanity to think I am worshiping a parking spot!
What happened to sick people who simply touched the shadow of Peter after Pentecost? What happened to people who had faith in Jesus and simply touched His clothing?
The shadow and clothing, on their own, have absolutely no meaning. But when we by faith attach meaning. Miracles can and do happen. God is very sentimental.
God ordained a graphic and violent death by stoning for all Jews who did not respect the Sabbath. Meditate on that fact if you think God is not sentimental.
One day when we get to heaven, I am sure the crowns we receive will have the date and time we were born again engraved on them. I am sure that my mansion will have the parking spot from the gas station.
Now, it is exactly the same with relics and saints who did things for the Lord. If we have faith in Jesus, it should give us butterflies.
Fake relics are a separate topic. On certain items mostly a non-issue. Take a crucifix as an example. I know it is not a relic but like a relic, it is symbolic to Jesus and Christianity. No matter if it is the wood of the real cross or simply two twigs found on the ground put together, if you have faith in Jesus, it has powerful symbolism.