A Historical Perspective - 310-1950
Prayers for the dead were introduced in 310 The lighting of candles in 320 The worship of saints about 375 The mass was adopted in 394 The worship of Mary began to develop about 432 Priests began to assume distinctive robes in 500 The doctrine of purgatory was introduced in 593 Worship in Latin (since repealed) was mandated in 600 Claims to Papal Supremacy took firm foot in 606 Feasts in honor of the Virgin Mary began in 650 The custom of kissing the Pope's foot was introduced in 709 The worship of images and relics was authorized in 788 The invention of holy water was about 850 The canonization of saints was formalized in 993 Feasts for the dead were introduced in 1003 The celibacy of the priesthood was declared in 1074 The dogma of Papal infallibility was announced in 1076 Prayer beads were introduced in 1090 The doctrine that there are seven sacraments was introduced in 1140 The sale of indulgences began in 1190 The wafer was substituted for the loaf in 1200 The dogma of transubstantiation was adopted in 1215 Confession was instituted in 1215 The adoration of the Wafer began in 1220 The Ave Maria was introduced in 1316 The cup was taken from the laity in 1415 Purgatory was officially decreed in 1439 Roman tradition was placed on the same level as Scripture in 1546 The Apocrypha was received into the Canon in 1546 The immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary was announced in 1854 The doctrine of the temporal power of the Pope proclaimed in 1864 The personal corporeal presence of the Virgin in heaven in 1950
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