An issue about hanging/wearing a cross

[whatevergirl]

For the sake of the argument, is it possible that God put his fiancee in Enzo’s life in order that she will eventually come around to Catholicism? Nothing’s impossible, right?

I don’t discount that, but it’s hard to say. Should he compromise his faith, in order to get someone to convert? The answer is no. He should stand by his faith, and say…I plan to hang a cross in my home…I plan to do xyz…if she chooses to convert, yes, that would be a beautiful thing. But, at what point, does he stop living his authentic life as a Catholic, to appease someone else? It sounds like if he stands his ground, she might not marry him…so…not sure. Nothing is impossible with God. Just going with what is presented here, it’s hard to say, other than it seems like she is asking him to compromise his faith and values to respect her. That would not be something I would ever suggest for someone to do, who is devout in his/her faith.

 

[samcarter14]

For the sake of the argument, is it possible that God put his fiancee in Enzo’s life in order that she will eventually come around to Catholicism? Nothing’s impossible, right?

Nothing is impossible. As I pointed out, it happened with my MIL and FIL. He is now a baptized Roman Catholic. However, watching their parents fight (even in passive ways) over religion caused three of their seven children to leave the Church. Two came back, but one has never returned and even tries to argue MIL over to believe that abortion is not a sin.

Yes, several of the kids are still devout Catholics, but they did not have BOTH parents teaching them the faith. It was difficult for them to build a strong foundation in the faith.

 

[1ke]

For the sake of the argument, is it possible that God put his fiancee in Enzo’s life in order that she will eventually come around to Catholicism? Nothing’s impossible, right?

We are all called to witness to Christ and evangelize. This is our *baptismal *call.

Christ ordered the vocation of marriage to be a Sacrament. A Sacrament is a sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Marriage to an unbaptized person is a natural marriage, not a Sacrament.

The purpose the Sacrament of Marriage is for the Catholic spouses to enter into a mystery with Christ. The purpose is for the Christian spouses to witness to Christ’s relationship with his Bride the Church as Ephesians 5 says. The purpose of marriage is the begetting and raising up of children in the Faith.

 

[Corki]

Hi,
She has no problem of the children being baptized and brought up as christians but here’s the turn… In our future house she’s against hanging a cross on the wall, because it doesn’t represent her faith, and doesn’t want the people visiting to get the wrong idea… And as a sign of respect to her she wants me to respect this objection of hers. She’s even against the children wearing a cross around their necks for no plausible reason till now…

Would appreciate a help on this

Peace of Christ be with you all

To deal with this original question first: To hang a crucifix on the wall of your home where visitors can see it, is to say “A Catholic lives here”. Since you will be living there as well as your Catholic children, this wouldn’t be giving anyone “the wrong idea”. It doesn’t mean “only Catholics live here”.

I am a little concerned that you say that she doesn’t have a problem with her children being brought up Christian. I have known some mixed-faith couples that tried to chose a middle ground denomination rather than to raise thier children in the faith of either parent. I hope you mean to say “Catholic”.

Well we’ve come a long way in discussing raising up children; on the contrary, she is feeling the lack of spirituality in her life so she appreciates me doing the efforts to raise them up as Christians, teaching them Christian values and to have a spiritual life.

Does she also understand/apprectiate that for Catholics, this isn’t just living a “spiritual” life but participating in the Sacramental life of the Church?

Which brings me to a question I asked earlier, using a bad expresion and I apologize about it:
Are we asked as Catholics to be sectarian? (secular was the bad expression, sorry again)
Peace of Christ

When it comes to marriage, the answer is “yes,” we are to be discerning about the religion of our future spouses. In fact, you will need to get a special dispensation to marry a non-Christian and, in most parishes, have more than the usual amount of pre-marital counseling. Here’s what the Catechism says about it:

Mixed marriages and disparity of cult

1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a non-baptized person) requires even greater circumspection.

1634 Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise.

1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority.137 In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.138 This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church.139

1636 Through ecumenical dialogue Christian communities in many regions have been able to put into effect a common pastoral practice for mixed marriages. Its task is to help such couples live out their particular situation in the light of faith, overcome the tensions between the couple’s obligations to each other and towards their ecclesial communities, and encourage the flowering of what is common to them in faith and respect for what separates them.

1637 In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: "For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband."140 It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this “consecration” should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith.141 Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I would suggest that OP look over Ephesians 5