My younger brother is interested in Catholicism

  • Thread starter Thread starter Holly3278
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
H

Holly3278

Guest
Hey everyone. My younger brother, Adam, is interested in Catholicism. Adam is my youngest sibling. He’s actually my half-brother. We have the same mom but different dads. He is not Catholic at this time.

Anyway, about a month or two ago he said he was interested in the Catholic Church and that he was doing some research on it. Well, today I asked him what he thought about it and he said he thought it was pretty cool. Apparently he decided to do this research all by himself.

As many of you know, I am a convert to the Catholic Church. None of my immediate family is Catholic. So anyway, I am making this post because I want to know what I can do besides praying to help foster this interest of his in the Catholic Church. Should I offer him some pamphlets and stuff about the Catholic Church or just pray for him? Should I actively take the lead in talking to him about Catholicism?

Oh and just so you know, Adam is 17 years old. He turns 18 in November.
 
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I am taking him with me to Mass tomorrow as he said he was interested in going. 🙂
 
If he is looking into it himself, I would just let him know that if he ever wants to go to Mass with you or has any questions about the faith you will be happy to help. I would let him move at his own pace though. I would also let him know about CAF, just in case he has questions or wants to grow spiritually with the people on here. And, of course, pray that he may find his way home.

God bless!
 
Also, when you do go to Mass with him, be sure to show him how to use the missal so that he doesn’t feel lost and offer to answer any questions he has about what’s going on. That’s something my wife is really good at doing with the people we bring to Mass, like her brother and his wife (who’re now Catholic too 👍), her little sister (around the age of your brother), and some of our friends… I’m still working on it, but with the wee one on the way, I’m sure I’ll get lots of practice in the coming years.
 
I converted to Catholicism in 2010. I am also the only convert thus far in my family. Broaching the subject is always tricky. You don’t want to be pushy but you are also excited about your faith and you want to share it. When the opportunity is right and the topic is appropriate, I will give testimony to my faith. Also, when people as questions I will respond in like fashion. Mostly just let people know you are available. And if you promise to be available, by all means MAKE SURE you follow through!

I did just I said for the period leading up to my conversion and for a year after. Slowly people started asking my questions. Last month, my mom declared after much prayer and deliberation that she will be going through RCIA starting in September and she’s been going to mass for the last several weeks!

Time, a life lived according to the faith, and openness is the best policy. The most important thing to remember is that you or anyone else will not convert somebody. Only the grace of God will covert their hearts and save their souls. I will pray for your brother. Take care and God bless.
 
The Mass will always be the same essentials–the renewal of the offering which Jesus made to the Father on Calvary, and the Communion of his body ande blood as a sign of the sacrifice and sacred meal. Apart from these circumstances, however
, eucharistic worship will depend on culture, customs, language and temperaments of the people who offer it.

This attitude, long in disrepute, was oficiallly put down by Pope Pius X11. When the CHurch attempts to call a people to a better way of life under the inspiration of the christian religion., he said in one of his encyclicals, she does not act like one who recklessly cuts down and may bear even better fruit. The policy of using anything in local cultures, even religious customs, that can conceivably be meshed with christian beliefs is now well established.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. My younger brother, Adam, is interested in Catholicism. Adam is my youngest sibling. He’s actually my half-brother. We have the same mom but different dads. He is not Catholic at this time.

Anyway, about a month or two ago he said he was interested in the Catholic Church and that he was doing some research on it. Well, today I asked him what he thought about it and he said he thought it was pretty cool. Apparently he decided to do this research all by himself.

As many of you know, I am a convert to the Catholic Church. None of my immediate family is Catholic. So anyway, I am making this post because I want to know what I can do besides praying to help foster this interest of his in the Catholic Church. Should I offer him some pamphlets and stuff about the Catholic Church or just pray for him? Should I actively take the lead in talking to him about Catholicism?

Oh and just so you know, Adam is 17 years old. He turns 18 in November.
Click to expand...
let him know about catholic answers forum this place has allowed me to get too know the Catholic faith alot better
 
When you go to Mass with him, you might chitchat with him about things that he sees in church, especially if you have an older church with lots of Catholic-ky artwork and symbolism everywhere. I know I take a lot for granted, but if you don’t have that grounding, it can be a little overwhelming. So you might take moments to explain what’s depicted on the ceiling, in the stained glass windows, by the presence of the statues, by the tabernacle, why there’s a candle and what it means, or anything else that might seem odd to a newcomer. It makes for nice, light conversation, in addition to making someone feel comfortable in a strange environment.
 
I think the important thing is to let him explore at his own pace. It can be really easy to jump onto any interest and flood them with information and be too over-bearing, especially as this process is something very personal and sensitive, but you sound like you’re not doing that anyway so continue as you are 👍. Ask him if he would like you to recommend him a good book, or offer to buy him it as a present, “Catholicism for Dummies” is always a good one.

Whenever my boyfriend showed a slight interest in my religion I really flooded him with information and now he can’t stand me talking about it more than necessary. He’s really supportive and everything, just not interested because I talked about it and asked him to go to Mass with me too often.
 
First, I think it is awesome that you are attempting to help your brother. Now, I have found there are two different trains of thought that you must be aware of, as I have done both. First, analysis paralysis. … the never ending offering of answers books cd’s video’s etc and in the end (this man) is still not Catholic. He just keeps reading another book about faith saints etc etc. The other… is information overload. As a previous poster mentioned. I gave him more information than could be processed and in the end scared them away.
Now, I offer prayer and practice. I invite to mass. I give the guest an index card and ask them to write any questions down they may have (as not to bother those around us) and I just ask them to follow my lead so to speak. And I explain why I bow to the altar and genuflect the tabernacle is one of the most often asked questions.
Now, I attempt to just ease people into the faith. I explain to them I will gladly help answer any questions but there may be a point where they many want to consider RCIA.
Again, what you are doing is very admirable. These points are what I use.
 
I wasn’t able to take my brother to Mass. His dad who is my former step-dad would not let him go.
 
Holly3278 said:
I wasn’t able to take my brother to Mass. His dad who is my former step-dad would not let him go.
Click to expand...
I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope this won’t diminish his desire to learn more about the Catholic faith.
 
I am truly sorry that your brother could not go to mass with you this past weekend, but do not be discouraged, for the Holy Spirit will find a way to get him to come with you. As he continues to seek the faith, just be there for him, answering questions the best you can, encouraging him to pray and be open to the Spirit. If and when he is ready to attend RCIA, offer to be his sponsor and continue to journey with him. I wish you and your brother the best. How awesome it is that he has you to share this with.
 
Holly3278 said:
I wasn’t able to take my brother to Mass. His dad who is my former step-dad would not let him go.
Click to expand...
I’m also sorry to hear that. However, his dad cannot stop him from reading and accessing Catholic materials, and once he is old enough he won’t need his father’s permission.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top