Hindu friend

[GratefulLiving]

I have a good friend that is an international student from Nepal. He is now going to school in the US. I am a traditional catholic and he wants to come to mass with me sometime. I think this would be amazing. Right now, I think he wants to come simply because it is new, he doesn’t have many friends, etc. However, it’s a start. I am wondering though, how should I prepare him before we go to mass. I mean, he would need to understand a little about Holy Communion and why he cannot receive it. This is certainly not the only thing, but definitely one of the biggest! I need to find a way to explain this in a way that he can understand (afterall, he has never heard of Catholocism - hardly even Christianity!) and in a way that he won’t think I am “excluding” him for some undoo reason. I am really excited for this opportunity to spread the faith but want to make sure I go about it right!

 

[Publisher]

I am not Catholic…but perhaps a gentle way to explain to him, would be to engage him in dialog by asking if there are any Hindu rituals that are “off limits” to those not properly iniated into Hinduism? I’m not well studied in Hinduism at all…so I don’t really know if there are or not…but in most faiths that utilize “outward forms” of ritual, there simply are some rituals only the “iniated” can participate in…just a thought.

 

[codebilly]

I have a good friend that is an international student from Nepal. He is now going to school in the US. I am a traditional catholic and he wants to come to mass with me sometime. I think this would be amazing. Right now, I think he wants to come simply because it is new, he doesn’t have many friends, etc. However, it’s a start. I am wondering though, how should I prepare him before we go to mass. I mean, he would need to understand a little about Holy Communion and why he cannot receive it. This is certainly not the only thing, but definitely one of the biggest! I need to find a way to explain this in a way that he can understand (afterall, he has never heard of Catholocism - hardly even Christianity!) and in a way that he won’t think I am “excluding” him for some undoo reason. I am really excited for this opportunity to spread the faith but want to make sure I go about it right!

This could be very touchy. How religious is he and what branch of Hinduism is he from. Are his mother and father religious? Is he a caste brahman?

No matter what, I would introduce immediately to the Rosary.
You should introduce the Rosary by asking him to read and meditate upon, this article

APOSTOLIC LETTER
ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY
AND FAITHFUL
ON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

Feel free to send me a private message for further communication on this topic. This indeed is very important, but as the Holy Spirit has indicated, it must be done right.

 

[codebilly]

ps - if he comes from a religious background he will understand that certain aspects of religious ceremonies are reserved for the “initiated” …

 

[GratefulLiving]

Thanks guys. I don’t honestly know his caste or that much about his family and their “religious-ness”. The fact that there are certain functions that are reserved for those practicing a particular faith certainly makes sense. I think I amy also talk to my priest and get his (name removed by moderator)ut as well Blessings…

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

I have a good friend that is an international student from Nepal. He is now going to school in the US. I am a traditional catholic and he wants to come to mass with me sometime. I think this would be amazing. Right now, I think he wants to come simply because it is new, he doesn’t have many friends, etc. However, it’s a start. I am wondering though, how should I prepare him before we go to mass. I mean, he would need to understand a little about Holy Communion and why he cannot receive it. This is certainly not the only thing, but definitely one of the biggest! I need to find a way to explain this in a way that he can understand (afterall, he has never heard of Catholocism - hardly even Christianity!) and in a way that he won’t think I am “excluding” him for some undoo reason. I am really excited for this opportunity to spread the faith but want to make sure I go about it right!

He might know more about Catholicism than you realize.

We know Indians who are Catholic and one of our Hindu friends actually attended Catholic School in India.

 

[cathopologist]

Be prepared to be asked alot of questions. One of the first things he would notice is that we do not remove our shoes when entering holy ground. Some Eastern Catholic churches still practice the removal of shoes. He would also be amazed we use incense and light candles/oil lamps. You can explain to him the similarities and differences of both religions. This would definitely make him feel more ‘at home’ and comfortable. He may also ask about the crucifix and why it is so important to have a figure of a ‘dead man’ in holy ground.

You can go into the Eucharist at a later stage, when he understands Christian customs and rituals better. What you do not want to do is to confuse him with too many details. He may get bored and would not find it so interesting anymore, since everything to him may sound and look jargon. You can start him with the Rosary, as Hindus also use the Mala as a form of meditation. Explain to him the importance of Mother Mary and her role in the Church and to Christians. How she is the perfect example of a faithful Christian. You can also explain the role of saints - St Michael the Archangel and St Gabriel the Archangel for starters.