What makes a Catholic "Catholic"?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Apryl
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Apryl

Guest
I happen to love the church. I love learning about the church. I love sharing what I’ve learned with others.

For some, this is off putting

“Boy, you are really into it, aren’t you” or “You are really Catholic!”.

I don’t see these comments as insults - but rather, compliments, and also a reflection of how others see themselves.

I mentioned to a friend of mine that I don’t eat meat on Fridays (I know this is only obligatory during Lent, but I’m too lazy to remember when it is Lent, so I just abstain year round). Her response was, ‘Well, I’m a bootleg Catholic, so I don’t do that’

:confused:

My thinking is: If you think it’s a REQUIREMENT of the church, to not do it… that pulls you out of the church, doesn’t it?

Then, I attend a funeral. There were several people that were visiting from out of state. One of them and I discussed before mass that ‘I haven’t been to mass in YEARS’. When it was time for Communion, she was in line with all the rest. I hadn’t asked ‘have you been to Confession, or spoken to a priest’, because it didn’t occur to me before hand.

I asked some folx in my family if they wanted to go with me to Midnight Mass for Christmas. ‘Nah… I don’t feel like it’.

Sad… but it’s what they wanted to do, and I really don’t think it would have been any better for them to be in the pews if their heart wasn’t into it.

We have the precepts of the church. There are six of them. Yet, many people don’t abide by ANY of them, but they tell others ‘I’m Catholic’.

:confused:

I think that a lot of Non-Catholics have terrible impressions of Catholics because ACTING Catholics, who are not practicing the faith by any stretch (other than to attend a Catholic Mass at some point in their life) give people false impressions of who and what we are all about.

A voice inside of me wants to tell people ‘You are not Catholic. You may want to be Catholic, but that’s something you need to work on’… not exactly a generous sentiment. Still… it’s what I want to say.

So, what does it take to be Catholic? And for a person that SAYS they are Catholic, yet, they won’t attend mass, don’t see the Pope as the head of the church, won’t go to confession to a priest (EVER), will not fast (even during Lent), may occasionally watch mass on television, but don’t receive communion… what should a practicing Catholic say to them?

Please remember: I do pray for these people. Often. So far, I have said little to nothing to them about their habits. Still, it’s very frustrating.🤷
 
There are a lot of “cultural” Catholics. They are Catholic in name only. They are only Catholic because their family is Catholic. They don’t take their faith seriously…and they definitely don’t live it.

You are a real Catholic. You follow the precepts of the Church. You frequent the Sacraments. You learn about the faith. You strive for personal holiness. That is what a real Catholic does.
 
Being Catholic to me is about my covenantal relationship with Jesus.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
There are a lot of “cultural” Catholics. They are Catholic in name only. They are only Catholic because their family is Catholic. They don’t take their faith seriously…and they definitely don’t live it.
Click to expand...
But would I be out of line to say to the person, ‘you are a Cultural Catholic’, or when someone else asks me, ‘Is Mary Sue Catholic’, to answer, ‘not really’?

What should I say to the Cultural/Acting Catholic when they claim they are Catholic?
😦
 
These are people who understand that they are baptized into the Catholic faith and usually have made their First Communion and Confirmation. They have not made a conscience decision to not be Catholic. They are living in sin and many don’t care a whole lot. Many want to come back, but later, like before they die.

They seem to believe that no one really practices the Catholic faith faithfully, at least not normal people. They are like the Prodigal Son, some will come back and some won’t. Most of us have these folks in our families. I would say they have a right, by virtue of Baptism to call themselves Catholic. They know the Catholic Faith is their true home, that’s why they don’t call themselves ex-Catholics. I would think if someone asks if someone is a Catholic and you know they don’t go to Mass, that you could say you believe they are a non-practicing Catholic.

I’ll add also that the Church sees them as Catholics. They can go to Confession and be in the state of Sancifying Grace just like the ones who have been faithful all their lives.
 
I do well with the sacraments, study, and action. I could do better with fasting and abstaining. Conversion to Christ is continual. No one is ever where they should be. Keep me in your prayers.🙂
 
Not only Catholics are like this. Many Christians from all different denominations and churches do this. It is sad that so many don’t even practice what they claim to believe. It definitely does give non-Christians a wrong impression of what Christianity has a whole is.
 
Apryl said:
But would I be out of line to say to the person, ‘you are a Cultural Catholic’, or when someone else asks me, ‘Is Mary Sue Catholic’, to answer, ‘not really’?

What should I say to the Cultural/Acting Catholic when they claim they are Catholic?
😦
Click to expand...
Why should you say anything?
 
I don’t really see that it is your business, it is between them and God. But if for some reason the person asking is referring to a practice of Catholicism as you also seem to be referring to, just say “They are Catholic, but I am not sure if they are practicing.” Anything other than is arrogant and presumptuous.
 
Deciding how to describe your faith to others is a matter of conscience. I had misgivings for a long time about describing myself as Catholic in past times when I knew I wasn’t making any real effort, even though I still attended Mass every Sunday. Others do not share this view but use the term to describe their family upbringing, calling themselves “lay Catholics”.

Observing the traditions and sacraments of the Church is important, but it is not as important as the self-awareness to know when one’s life is not in a direction compatible with Christ. Such an awareness is sometimes irrespective of whether one attends Mass faithfully.
 
Canavan said:
Deciding how to describe your faith to others is a matter of conscience. I had misgivings for a long time about describing myself as Catholic in past times when I knew I wasn’t making any real effort, even though I still attended Mass every Sunday. Others do not share this view but use the term to describe their family upbringing, calling themselves “lay Catholics”.

**Observing the traditions and sacraments of the Church is important, but it is not as important as the self-awareness **to know when one’s life is not in a direction compatible with Christ. Such an awareness is sometimes irrespective of whether one attends Mass faithfully.
Click to expand...
If you observe the traditions and the sacraments of the Church then your life** will be in a direction compatible with Christ.
One must **attend Mass faithfully to receive the grace necessary to live a solid moral life. Once you start missing Mass you become complacent towards living a life of grace and you gradually drift into a constant state of sin.
 
Cathryn said:
These are people who understand that they are baptized into the Catholic faith and usually have made their First Communion and Confirmation. They have not made a conscience decision to not be Catholic.

They are living in sin and many don’t care a whole lot. I would say they have a right, by virtue of Baptism to call themselves Catholic. They know the Catholic Faith is their true home, that’s why they don’t call themselves ex-Catholics. I would think if someone asks if someone is a Catholic and you know they don’t go to Mass, that you could say you believe they are a non-practicing Catholic.

I’ll add also that the Church sees them as Catholics. They can go to Confession and be in the state of Sancifying Grace just like the ones who have been faithful all their lives.
Click to expand...
In my opinion this is correct. The only problem I have with it is that if someone asks about them being Catholic, the correct answer is an unqualified yes. Of course if someone is looking for a practicing Catholic as a godparent , a sponsor for Conformation, or a witness for a Catholic wedding,then they need to hear “non-practcing.” Otherwise it would be detracting from their reputation.
 
I don’t know how theological this is but to me a Catholic is one who believes in Catholicism. One can be baptized, received first communion, confirmation, even get married but will not make the interior decision to obey all that the Church commands.

To obey all that the Church commands doesn’t mean to be perfect in that regard. Otherwise nobody would qualify. But it represents that intention to “get up” after you have fallen.
 
Once a person is baptized in the Catholic Church, they may be considered Catholic, because they have received the first of the sacraments. Once these folks have made their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), they are full members of the Catholic Church.

If they miss Mass, do not follow fast/abstinence obligations, avoid Confession, decline to financially support the Church, etc, etc, etc, that does NOT make them unCatholic. It DOES make them sinners. It is your responsibility to bring Christ to the world through evangelization and catechisis. It is not your place to pass judgement on them or to police their actions.
 
What others have said, following the six precepts of the Church:


  1. *]To hear Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and to refrain from servile work.
    *]To confess one’s sins at least once a year.
    *]To receive the Holy Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
    *]To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
    *]To contribute to the support of the Church.
    *]To obey the marriage laws of the Church.

    In addition, the oath I took when I was received/confirmed I see as an ongoing promise, a call to ongoing conversion:
    “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.”

    I don’t mean to come across as holier-than-thou, because I’m not perfect. However, I do consider these things to be required (6+1).
 
jpjd said:
Once a person is baptized in the Catholic Church, they may be considered Catholic, because they have received the first of the sacraments. Once these folks have made their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), they are full members of the Catholic Church.

If they miss Mass, do not follow fast/abstinence obligations, avoid Confession, decline to financially support the Church, etc, etc, etc, that does NOT make them unCatholic. It DOES make them sinners. It is your responsibility to bring Christ to the world through evangelization and catechisis. It is not your place to pass judgement on them or to police their actions.
Click to expand...
However there is an important distinction between those who show up and those who don’t. If you miss Mass so many times that no one in the parish knows who you are, your membership is nominal.
 
Apryl said:
But would I be out of line to say to the person, ‘you are a Cultural Catholic’, or when someone else asks me, ‘Is Mary Sue Catholic’, to answer, ‘not really’?

What should I say to the Cultural/Acting Catholic when they claim they are Catholic?
😦
Click to expand...
A thought came to me about your question what to answer for others. Jesus in the temple told Barnabas when he told Jesus about all the Christians that were being crucified because of their faith by their enemies. Barnabas wanting Jesus to serve justice to them who were crucifying the faithful. Jesus reply to Barnabas was this…" Far better for “YOU” if “YOU” pray for them".

Maybe I am not understanding it correctly Jesus answer, but I believe Jesus was telling Barnabas not to “judge others” it is not for us to do so and in doing so we “bring judgement” upon ourselves for we are all sinners in need of God’s infinite mercy. But better for us, for our own salvation to pray for them our enemies and others, all. Trust in God knowing he hears our prayers. God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

No one knows the heart and soul of others only God.

God Bless…little child of God
 
markadm said:
What others have said, following the six precepts of the Church:


  1. *]To hear Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and to refrain from servile work.
    *]To confess one’s sins at least once a year.
    *]To receive the Holy Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
    *]To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
    *]To contribute to the support of the Church.
    *]To obey the marriage laws of the Church.

    In addition, the oath I took when I was received/confirmed I see as an ongoing promise, a call to ongoing conversion:
    “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.”

    I don’t mean to come across as holier-than-thou, because I’m not perfect. However, I do consider these things to be required (6+1).
Click to expand...

  1. Let us not forget the laws of God the 10 commandments, Love thy enemies as thy self. Love charity etc. Obedience to God his will and desire for me. God is “first” in my life that is why I am a Catholic and a member of the Catholic Church.

    God Bless…a little child of God
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top