Trying to explain some things to a Catholic friend

[cyberwolf001]

I sent one of my best friends (A Catholic) a gift box earlier this week.

It had a brown scapular, green scapular and a miraculous medal.

Now my friend is a kind and caring person. But she isn’t what I’d call the brightest bulb in the box. She was beyond confused about all three and just want to do with them.

In spite of being a cradle Catholic she has no idea about purgator scapulars or the Miraculous medal.

To give you an idea of where she is at she found Praying the Rosary Without Distractions to confusing and frustrating to work through.

This is about what the book contained at this links
catholiccompany.com/content/Joyful-Mysteries-of-the-Rosary.cfm
catholiccompany.com/content/Luminous-Mysteries-of-the-Rosary.cfm
catholiccompany.com/content/Sorrowful-Mysteries-of-the-Rosary.cfm
catholiccompany.com/content/Glorious-Mysteries-of-the-Rosary.cfm

Yes even that is over here head… It took me half an hour to explain what a decade of the Rosary is and she still finds it confusing. (For that matter so do many Protestants and cradle Catholics I know).

While I may not be Catholic anymore myself I want my friend to understand why she believes what she believes and what the Church teaches…

How am I to explain purgatory, indulgences, the brown and green scapulars and the miraculous medal to someone that is this easily confused?

Mind you my package had all the standard pamphlets explaining everything but she found those very confusing as well.

 

[jcoldc]

If they came with pamphlets, is it possible she’s not really inspired to find out what they mean? I’m assuming she can read. Or maybe she doesn’t like to read?

I would think the easiest thing would be, instead of gifting a bunch of things to her at once (although a completely wonderful gift), to give her gifts one at a time. Maybe each time you see her, give her something new, and explain it to her. ie. “Here is a brown scapular for you to wear. It’s from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Let me tell you about it’s special graces…”

It sounds like you are a kind friend. Don’t give up on her. Se’s worth the effort. God Bless.

 

[MarieVeronica]

While I may not be Catholic anymore myself I want my friend to understand why she believes what she believes and what the Church teaches…

Hi Cyberwolf. I’d like to take this opportunity… to extend a loving reminder to you, that if you were baptized a Catholic… you are still a Catholic. This holds true for everyone who is baptized into the faith. Even if they fall away, and are no longer practicing. In other words…

Once a Catholic… always a Catholic.

And I would like to add, my friend… that you are doing a very, very GOOD job of caring for your friend… and instructing her about Catholic traditions. You are certainly living your Catholicity… more than many folks who are “practicing”. God bless.

 

[puzzleannie]

you and she might find it much easier to introduce one devotion or sacramental at a time, rather than trying to multiply devotions, which is rarely helpful to anyone, let alone beginners.

 

[cyberwolf001]

If they came with pamphlets, is it possible she’s not really inspired to find out what they mean? I’m assuming she can read. Or maybe she doesn’t like to read?

It sounds like you are a kind friend. Don’t give up on her. She’s worth the effort. God Bless.

Well I can see where she is coming from having read the Pamphlets myself. They tend to give stories and testimonials, histories and which Popes supported it. But they never seem to get around to the point of how it is worn, why it is worn and what it will do.

Hi Cyberwolf. I’d like to take this opportunity… to extend a loving reminder to you, that if you were baptized a Catholic… you are still a Catholic. This holds true for everyone who is baptized into the faith. Even if they fall away, and are no longer practicing. In other words…

Once a Catholic… always a Catholic.

And I would like to add, my friend… that you are doing a very, very GOOD job of caring for your friend… and instructing her about Catholic traditions. You are certainly living your Catholicity… more than many folks who are “practicing”. God bless.

I got many friends that are convinced I am a C.I.D. (Catholic In Denial) oddly the friend I am speaking of said the same thing.

 

[strngrnrth]

I believe that for everyone who is “not smart” or “learning disabled” or “autistic” there are lots of people being labeled so because their learning styles don’t match the communication environment they’re in. Perhaps she’s more of a hands-on learner and needs to use each new piece of info quickly before getting the next one. Or perhaps she has emotionally driven memory and needs to get the most powerful part of a message first. Maybe she takes a while to absorb new things but once she does she has great insight. Or maybe she will pick up facts easily but have trouble connecting them. But she’s probably capable of learning if you let her take charge of it. She might get more than she thinks she does. I’d just give her resources, show confidence in her, and step back, ready to direct her to someone who can answer questions if you can’t.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I got many friends that are convinced I am a C.I.D. (Catholic In Denial) oddly the friend I am speaking of said the same thing.

Haha! Been there! But Our Blessed Mother wasn’t amused. She grabbed me, and made me come Home (thank you, Mama!). Praying that she will grab you next. God bless.

 

[kage_ar]

Perhaps these private devotions are just not her “cup of tea”?