"I can't do that. People might think I'm a Catholic."

[CollegeKid]

Guys, I would appreciate your honest, unadulterated opinions on my dillemma with doing “Catholic” stuff in public. You see, I’m a convert and since I believe the Church to be that which was founded by Christ and the apostles, I take immense pride in being a member of the Catholic Church. My problem is: what if my crossing myself before a meal in public stems more from personal pride as a Catholic than a desire to be a witness for Jesus? I ask myself the same question with regards to other “catholic stuff” like saying I go to “Mass” instead of “church” or hanging a rosary over the rear view mirror in my car. In case it matters, I do shy away from crossing myself before meals in front of my family members and close friends because (a) most of them are not catholic and a few are atheist/agnostic and I worry that they’ll silently laugh at me, (b) those that are catholic don’t seem to take their faith all that seriously and might think I’m “too catholic” or something, and (c) a few are fundamentalist christians and I worry about offending them or getting into a religious debate and ending up on the losing end because I can’t think on my feet very well.

 

[JOHNYJ]

I was brought up in an Italian Catholic Family in the 1950’s . A Crucifix in every room,Holy water fonts,in the Hall. A picture of our Lady of Sorrows that had eyes that seemed to follow you.If you wanted you could buy a reproduction of the Shroud of Turin where Jesus eyes opened and closed.
But the best sign of being.Happened in the early 60’s one day on my way home from work on Good Friday.We closed the shop at noon . ( In those days Catholics didn’t work from the first to the third hour on Good Friday ) .The bus was about to pass a Catholic church . You could see furtive glances by some of the Passangers. Than it started one after another passangers started blessing themselves as they passed the church.Not because it was Good Friday,
but. Thats what you did when you pased a Catholic church.

 

[CalledtoServe]

CollegeKid:

Guys, I would appreciate your honest, unadulterated opinions on my dillemma with doing “Catholic” stuff in public. You see, I’m a convert and since I believe the Church to be that which was founded by Christ and the apostles, I take immense pride in being a member of the Catholic Church. My problem is: what if my crossing myself before a meal in public stems more from personal pride as a Catholic than a desire to be a witness for Jesus? I ask myself the same question with regards to other “catholic stuff” like saying I go to “Mass” instead of “church” or hanging a rosary over the rear view mirror in my car. In case it matters, I do shy away from crossing myself before meals in front of my family members and close friends because (a) most of them are not catholic and a few are atheist/agnostic and I worry that they’ll silently laugh at me, (b) those that are catholic don’t seem to take their faith all that seriously and might think I’m “too catholic” or something, and (c) a few are fundamentalist christians and I worry about offending them or getting into a religious debate and ending up on the losing end because I can’t think on my feet very well.

Hey College Kid, when I was a college kid once upon a time, I also did not want to show signs of my faith. That changed after time when I was a part of a nondenominational Christian Bible study. We were talking about evangelizing & how Jesus called us to go out and evangelize. That is when it struck me that evangelization didn’t just mean to nonChristians; if all of my Christian friends had no fear going out & evangelizing Christ why shouldn’t I evangelize the fullness of Christ to them.

Well, slowly, for I was never a confident bold person, my home started looking more Catholic, I started consistently wearing a crucifix, then I started wearing it outside of my shirt, then crossing myself in public. It is amazing how natural all that has become & how doing one thing emboldens you to do the next. Now I pray for opportunities to express my faith.

 

[CalledtoServe]

JOHNYJ:

The bus was about to pass a Catholic church . You could see furtive glances by some of the Passangers. Than it started one after another passangers started blessing themselves as they passed the church.Not because it was Good Friday,
but. Thats what you did when you pased a Catholic church.

Awesome!

 

[Subrosa]

Catholic Heart:

Growing up a Methodist, I knew that crucifixes were for Catholics only.

Read John 3:14-15. Then read Numbers 21:1-9. What was Jesus meaning when he instructed this? What do the two stories have in common? Did He mean it just for Catholics, or everyone?

You may be surprised!

The Peace of Christ be with you,
Subrosa

 

[Liberian]

Which is the 1 thing that people absolutely will not do because they don’t want to appear to be “Catholic”?

Called To Serve,

I can’t speak for other people, but I get a great kick out of letting people know that I am Catholic. In fact, I just put a big “I Love My German Shepherd – Pope Benedict XVI” bumper sticker on my car.

• Liberian

 

[honeybear]

I think the poll should have included a scapular. I wore a crucifix to work for the longest time with no difficulties. Later, after profession in the Third Order of Carmelites, I wore a scapular. I was told at work to remove it as it was too catholic. The Crucifix was okay as it was common, but the scapular screamed catholic to people. Kind of interesting.

 

[msh]

CalledtoServe:

How about this one - keeping the ashes on your head throughout the day on Ash Wednesday? I know people who wipe them off right after mass.

This is definitely what came to mind for me. This past Ash Wednesday, I came out of Mass and went about my usual activites. I had about three or four acquaintances come to me and say “You got something on your forehead, hold still” and I’d just take a few steps back and say “Hey, those are my ashes, get your own!”, and they’d say “Can’t you just wipe it off, aren’t you embarrassed by it?” Embarrassed by what?

Even when I was a non-religious child, I’d cross myself whenever I was scared, or in need of some support spiritually. I’ve only recently gotten to the point of being able to talk a little about my growth within my RCIA classes with family, because of how strange and “overly religious” the mere word Catholic seems.

When family talks about my conversion, they mention how I “always needed the structure” of a stricter faith and that I’ll do “well with Catholicism” because there’s so many “rules” to keep me out of trouble… they make it sound like some sort of party-pooping death sentence!

 

[catsrus]

When family talks about my conversion, they mention how I “always needed the structure” of a stricter faith and that I’ll do “well with Catholicism” because there’s so many “rules” to keep me out of trouble… they make it sound like some sort of party-pooping death sentence!

That is so funny because I too have been told the exact same thing by my former “party” friends.

 

[CheesusPowerKid]

I think someone else already mentioned it, but doing the sign of the cross is probably a big one too.

 

[system]

CheesusPowerKid:

I think someone else already mentioned it, but doing the sign of the cross is probably a big one too.

Yes, I would have to agree. But even though I feel this way, we still say grace before our meals even in public. I know people watch us and they are critisizing us, but Jesus says that if we acknowledge Him before other people, He will acknowledge us before the Father!.. I hope so.

 

[allhers]

vicia3:

Yes, I would have to agree. But even though I feel this way, we still say grace before our meals even in public. I know people watch us and they are critisizing us, but Jesus says that if we acknowledge Him before other people, He will acknowledge us before the Father!.. I hope so.

…and if we deny Him, He will deny us!! I love being Catholic, I really believe that being Catholic is that we “carry” a special duty to show our faith, like we are to be a “light to the world”. (wonder where I got that idea??) We pray before meals in restaurants, (although, we don’t make a big, loud deal of it, but we make the sign of the cross and thank God for our meal)–Bless us o Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord, amen We make the sign of the cross when we pass a Catholic Church, we wear Crusifixes, tell people we will remember them in prayer, (either at Mass when receiving Holy Communion, Adoration, or when praying our daily rosary or Chaplet.) We have many Holy cards, pictures, statues, “Catholic books”, such as lives of Saints, we read the Bible, we watch EWTN a lot, go to Mass, (not just on Sundays and Holy Days sometimes), make pilgrimages to Shrines,one of us has been to Rome, we, as a couple plan to go again, unfortunately, sometimes, even our Catholic friends think we are too Catholic.

 

[Akanke]

CollegeKid:

Guys, I would appreciate your honest, unadulterated opinions on my dillemma with doing “Catholic” stuff in public. You see, I’m a convert and since I believe the Church to be that which was founded by Christ and the apostles, I take immense pride in being a member of the Catholic Church. My problem is: what if my crossing myself before a meal in public stems more from personal pride as a Catholic than a desire to be a witness for Jesus? I ask myself the same question with regards to other “catholic stuff” like saying I go to “Mass” instead of “church” or hanging a rosary over the rear view mirror in my car. In case it matters, I do shy away from crossing myself before meals in front of my family members and close friends because (a) most of them are not catholic and a few are atheist/agnostic and I worry that they’ll silently laugh at me, (b) those that are catholic don’t seem to take their faith all that seriously and might think I’m “too catholic” or something, and (c) a few are fundamentalist christians and I worry about offending them or getting into a religious debate and ending up on the losing end because I can’t think on my feet very well.

Hang in there, CK. Make sure you mean it, whatever you do or say. Maybe I’m too self-involved (or conceited), but I cross myself because it’s part of my prayer, not because I want to witness to those around me or wave my Catholic flag.

In fact, I don’t want to wave my Catholic flag, due to the anti-Catholic and non-Catholic nature of my surroundings. I’m a Nazarene pastor’s daughter, my friends are all Protestants, I work in a Protestant university, and my two roommates are also Nazarene pastor’s daughters. I still do my stuff—cross myself, wear my rosary, go to mass, etc. And I make sure to never bring Catholic things up—not because I’m ashamed but because I come across so many people who are anti-Catholic that should they see me “being Catholic” (cross myself, for example, which I do anyway), they would think I was pushing my religion on them I just say to myself, “Whatever” and go on. However, I don’t back down when they accuse me of such. I show them what it would be like if I did push my religion on them.

That makes me thankful for the ones who ask me the same questions over and over (different people, same questions: Eucharist, Pope, Mary, Confession, etc). At least they’re asking.

 

[stevej]

My wife has 6 older brothers, all of whom have left the church. My Mother in Law, who is also Catholic asked me say grace before a meal at their house. Ever since then I have been asked by some of here brothers to offer thanksgiving before meal at family events. It was uncomfortable at first to be practicly the only one crossing himself, but I am glad I can offer a witness to my faith.
God bless
Steve

“Preach the Gospel always, and use words if necessary”
St. Francis

 

[Mamamull]

Giannawannabe:

You know what? I don’t do any of those things (in the poll) any more. I used to say “go to church” instead of “go to Mass” or my kids “go to Sunday school” vs. "catechism to my Protestant friends. Now, I have Catholic artwork all over my home, wear a crucifix around my neck, and use “Catholicky” terms to describe my faith. I realize that it might be the best way to witness an authentic Catholic life to others. I say, “be not afraid”!!!

Well Gianna,
We have so much in common. I remember being a “closet Catholic” with my family – I was afraid to have them start using their apologetics on me.

Then I discovered EWTN and Catholic radio and now, I almost welcome the possible discussion. I haven’t worn my Marian t-shirts around them though. Although I wear them to the pool . I kept waiting for someone to say something to me when I was wearing – Don’t mess with my Mom – her Son is your God!

I guess it is hard to argue that or they think I am just too far gone to argue with.

 

[kim_wilson]

When I became Catholic I was living in Alabama–3% Catholic and 97% anti-catholic. I used to hide my miraculous medal around certain people—namely Baptist and Church of Christ folks. Now I live in St. Louis—little Rome–so Catholic accoutrements are no problem.

One day at a grocery store in Montgomery, Al. the cashier inquired about my medal. “Is that Mother Teresa hanging around your neck?” she asked in a very Southern drawl. “No,” I replied “It’s someone even better, it’s Mary the Mother of Jesus.” I took it off and gave her the medal and her little Protestant face just lit up.

 

[wcknight]

honeybear:

I think the poll should have included a scapular. I wore a crucifix to work for the longest time with no difficulties. Later, after profession in the Third Order of Carmelites, I wore a scapular. I was told at work to remove it as it was too catholic. The Crucifix was okay as it was common, but the scapular screamed catholic to people. Kind of interesting.

I would think telling someone to remove their scapular would be a violation of your first admendment rights and not the other way around.

Neither I nor your supervisor has any right to tell someone else what they can or can not wear.

 

[Kristina_P]

wcknight:

Making the sign of the cross in public.

Maybe my experience isn’t representative, but I felt like reassuring y’all that even a Southern Baptist girl in Arkansas recognizes a beautiful spiritual gesture when she sees it. I wasn’t raised vehemently anti-Catholic, but I was taught the old myths that Catholics believe you can work/buy/whatever your way into Heaven and that they come dangerously close to worshiping saints. Never, though, did I hear anybody criticize the sign of the cross. I remember seeing one of my first Catholic friends in junior high school doing it as she prayed for an ambulance we had just heard go by. I thought it was a beautiful expression to start with, and when she explained the significance, I found it even more beautiful. When I started going to an Anglican church after college, I considered getting to make the sign of the cross to be a definite “perk”!

 

[Kristina_P]

CalledtoServe:

How about this one - keeping the ashes on your head throughout the day on Ash Wednesday? I know people who wipe them off right after mass.

I know that Anglicans wipe them off because of what Jesus said about not fasting before men. Out of curiosity, why do Catholics keep them on?

 

[Kristina_P]

CalledtoServe:

What I’ve noticed is that when anyone, (i.e. movie, T.V., news, book, etc.) wants to present something religious they will almost always show something Catholic.

Unfortunately, a lot of movies and TV shows misrepresent Catholic faith, which leaves us poor Protestants very misguided indeed!