Being Catholic (Mexican style)

[Polluted]

I attend allot of spanish masses even though I’m not mexican. Fortunately enough I know enough spanish not to be completely lost

Here’s one thing I notice however. Even though Mexicans seem a tad more quick to fall into folk saints or unapproved veneration of certain things or people that may very well be demonic. The vast bulk I see of mature adult age seem to take their faith quite serious.

One thing that stands out for me is communion. At a spanish mass I kid you not HALF the congregation remains seated. While at an English mass the vast bulk of people go up to receive the Eucharist.

I have a hard time believing it’s because Mexicans are committing more mortal sins. In fact where I am, the only reason Confession has a giant line, is because ALL the laity were Mexicans! I kid you not I was the only white guy in the confession line.

Why is this?

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I have noticed the same thing. I suppose it is because Catholicism is more integrated into our culture because the majority of Mexico is Catholic.

 

[Beryllos]

Do not speculate on the faults and failings of those in the Communion line…

… or those who are absent from the Confession line.

Still, your observation of this cultural difference is interesting.

 

[pianistclare]

I attend allot of spanish masses even though I’m not mexican. Fortunately enough I know enough spanish not to be completely lost

Here’s one thing I notice however. Even though Mexicans seem a tad more quick to fall into folk saints or unapproved veneration of certain things or people that may very well be demonic. The vast bulk I see of mature adult age seem to take their faith quite serious.

One thing that stands out for me is communion. At a spanish mass I kid you not HALF the congregation remains seated. While at an English mass the vast bulk of people go up to receive the Eucharist.

I have a hard time believing it’s because Mexicans are committing more mortal sins. In fact where I am, the only reason Confession has a giant line, is because ALL the laity were Mexicans! I kid you not I was the only white guy in the confession line.

Why is this?

While non of us should concern ourselves…it’s often because many of them are not married in the church. One must marry civilly in Mexico. The Church wedding often gets pushed back to a later date, and then the children come along, and they equate a church wedding with a big expensive ceremony and they don’t get around to it. This is the case with our Hispanic Community. So, they are unable to go to confession or receive Communion.
Many times though, when the children are going to receive First Holy Communion, it prompts mom and dad to get their marriages remedied.

 

[Goya]

While non of us should concern ourselves…it’s often because many of them are not married in the church. One must marry civilly in Mexico.** The Church wedding often gets pushed back to a later date, and then the children come along, and they equate a church wedding with a big expensive ceremony and they don’t get around to it. This is the case with our Hispanic Community**. So, they are unable to go to confession or receive Communion.
Many times though, when the children are going to receive First Holy Communion, it prompts mom and dad to get their marriages remedied.

That has not been my experience. Most Mexicans are married through the church; it’s the inability to get to confession that keeps them from communing. Hence I concur entirely with the OP’s observations. This coming form having served as a missionary in Mexico for 10 years in the 80’s-90’s, and remaining active within our local Hispanic community (and being Hispanic myself).

What you see with the Mexicans is easy to understand, and makes sense.

What does not gel, is 200 ppl. per mass in communion line, vs. 15 per week in the confession lines–if that.

So no, don’t try to paint that off as some flaw with the Mexicans.

The straight up truth of the matter, is that the great compromise occurs North of the Border amongst the protestant influenced Catholicism.

…and I do not say this pointing the finger ‘North of the Border’–I say it as a native born American Citizen, who grasped on to such justifications myself, and who looked at the Mexicans as doing something wrong, or weird…

Nope.

They’re just practicing Christianity sincerely, honestly, and humbly.

I’m even inclined to go so far as to say ‘honoring the sacraments’–but the truth of the matter, is that what sticks out with them, is not per se honoring the Sacraments–but rather that they do not blatantly DIS-honor the sacraments–at least not the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist).

Draw your own conclusions from there…

…if you dare.

 

[Goya]

While non of us should concern ourselves…it’s often because many of them are not married in the church. One must marry civilly in Mexico. The Church wedding often gets pushed back to a later date, and then the children come along, and they equate a church wedding with a big expensive ceremony and they don’t get around to it. This is the case with our Hispanic Community.** So, they are unable to go to confession or receive Communion. **

Many times though, when the children are going to receive First Holy Communion, it prompts mom and dad to get their marriages remedied.

…and to follow up on my above post…how on earth would not being able to get married through the Church somehow disqualify anyone from going to Confession???

It is rationalization, plain and simple.

…and again, I do not say that pointing finger; I say that including myself.

I could give you a laundry list of the rationalizations I came up with and clung to for years…before finally owning that I had it wrong, and the Mexicans had it right.

 

[pianistclare]

…and to follow up on my above post…how on earth would not being able to get married through the Church somehow disqualify anyone from going to Confession???

It is rationalization, plain and simple.

…and again, I do not say that pointing finger; I say that including myself.

I could give you a laundry list of the rationalizations I came up with and clung to for years…before finally owning that I had it wrong, and the Mexicans had it right.

Well, since you happen to think that I’m anti Mexican, which I am not…I’m Hispanic dude…

Even the Mexican priests will not allow those not married in the Church to go to confession. Unless one has an intent to stop the sinful behavior (in other words to stop sleeping with their husbands or wives) they will not absolve them. My Mexican friends tell me of Mexican priests chasing people out of the church…saying unless you get married by the Church you are bound to commit the same sin tonight.

Take it up with the priests.
I’m out.

 

[Goya]

Well, since you happen to think that I’m anti Mexican, which I am not…I’m Hispanic dude…

Even the Mexican priests will not allow those not married in the Church to go to confession. Unless one has an intent to stop the sinful behavior (in other words to stop sleeping with their husbands or wives) they will not absolve them. My Mexican friends tell me of Mexican priests chasing people out of the church…saying unless you get married by the Church you are bound to commit the same sin tonight.

Take it up with the priests.
I’m out.

First, I didn’t think you were anti-Mexican.

Second, I’ve never seen or heard of a priest denying anyone (baptized Catholic) confession. That’s completely new to me.

Third, we’ve obviously had significantly different experiences.

Maybe I just read into your posts a little of myself, as I mentioned wrt rationalization (IOW, projected my own rationalization from years past).

Peace.

 

[Casilda]

I’ve never seen or heard of a priest denying anyone (baptized Catholic) confession. That’s completely new to me.

It happens.

I haunted Spanish and bilingual masses for a time because I wasn’t left alone in the pews because of the marriage issue. Then again, it was the Spanish priest who refused to hear my confession. Lots of reasons many remain in pews.