Catholic Roommate

Bresinain · #1 Apr 16, '08, 2:18 pm

I have a roommate who is quite a bit younger than me, about 20 years old, who says he is a Catholic. But he says he never goes to mass, not on Sunday, not during the week, never. I go to mass on Sunday and he is usually lying in his bed when I leave. The Pope was on the news the other day and I asked him if he listened to the Pope and he said "he didn`t like this Pope." I asked him a few questions and he had no idea about the Pope, what the Pope stood for and said and he had no idea about Catholicism. Would you consider this young man a Catholic? Is he indicative of the younger generation, who are only Catholic by name? I didn`t know what more I could say to him. If anyone could give me any advice because I am living with this guy and any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Br. Rich SFO · #2 Apr 16, '08, 2:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bresinain

I have a roommate who is quite a bit younger than me, about 20 years old, who says he is a Catholic. But he says he never goes to mass, not on Sunday, not during the week, never. I go to mass on Sunday and he is usually lying in his bed when I leave. The Pope was on the news the other day and I asked him if he listened to the Pope and he said "he didn`t like this Pope." I asked him a few questions and he had no idea about the Pope, what the Pope stood for and said and he had no idea about Catholicism. Would you consider this young man a Catholic? Is he indicative of the younger generation, who are only Catholic by name? I didn`t know what more I could say to him. If anyone could give me any advice because I am living with this guy and any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would ask him if he is really sure that he was Baptized Catholic? Like does he actually have a Baptism certificate, Because he does not act like he is Catholic.

monorail · #3 Apr 16, '08, 2:47 pm

You could ask him how/why he identifies himself as a Catholic. Not in a "defend yourself!" sort of way, but maybe to get him thinking about his faith more.

Maybe he just needs a nudge in the right direction!

I have a lot of "Catholic-in-name-only" friends who don't go to mass, have disordered relationships, are pro-abortion, etc. I can't talk to them about it (it gets too vitriolic), so I pray for their hearts to change.

Bresinain · #4 Apr 16, '08, 6:30 pm

Alright thanks that`s a good idea. I will wait for the right time and see if I can bring it up.

I too have a friend who although isn`t Catholic, is most of the things you mentionned, pro-abortion, pro-contraception, pro-population control and he absolutely HATES the Pope. He blames the Pope for AIDS in Africa and just about every other woe in the world. I have talked to him about this in the past (he knows I'm Catholic) but have stopped and avoided doing this now because it becomes too vitriolic. Usually I start to win the argument and he just becomes abusive and starts name-calling. But frankly, it is too easy to win an argument against these sort of people because they don't think things through properly. According to him Richard Dawkins is the most intelligent man alive.

stbruno · #5 Apr 24, '08, 10:34 am

My son is a college jr. And he has a fallen away Catholic who has become a member of the Campus Crusade of Christ sect.
The two frequently spar, but my son stands firm and has become more resolved to pray for his roommate. So when you go to mass, invite your roommate and say maybe we can go for a bite to eat or stop at the rec center to play a game of whatever together afterward. And if he says, no thanks but I will meet you instead at the rec center....explain that the two are tied together. No mass, no gathering together this time, but you will pray for him.

And then pray for him at mass. The power of the Holy Spirit will also put the right words in your mouth at the time you need it the most if you just ask him. You are in a very important position and probably God put you there to just plant a seed in your roommate's soul. You may not see the fruit of it, but you have planted a seed. Keep praying for him, and I will pray for you!

http://www.catholicscomehome.org/que...ut-faith.phtml
Here's another good resource.
Or leave this book lying around where your roommate can read it it's from Ascension Press.
http://www.ascensionpress.com/shop/S...sp?idproduct=5
Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?

Em_in_FL · #6 Apr 24, '08, 10:39 am

There are a lot of "cultural Catholics" in the world... who come from Catholic backgrounds and use the name more as an ethnic distinguisher...

I'd keep conversations open... you never know if you were placed with this roommate for a reason!... maybe to bring him to faith!

tomarin · #7 Apr 24, '08, 10:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bresinain

I have a roommate who is quite a bit younger than me, about 20 years old, who says he is a Catholic. But he says he never goes to mass, not on Sunday, not during the week, never. I go to mass on Sunday and he is usually lying in his bed when I leave. The Pope was on the news the other day and I asked him if he listened to the Pope and he said "he didn`t like this Pope." I asked him a few questions and he had no idea about the Pope, what the Pope stood for and said and he had no idea about Catholicism. Would you consider this young man a Catholic? Is he indicative of the younger generation, who are only Catholic by name? I didn`t know what more I could say to him. If anyone could give me any advice because I am living with this guy and any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

i think if i were in your shoes i would try to patiently, gently inform him from time to time about what living the catholic faith means, partly by words and partly by actions. that is the best thing you can do for him. he may still reject it ultimately but at least he will have some coherent idea of what he is rejecting.

you could accomplish this by inviting him to sunday mass whenever possible and/or giving him pamphlets or books about what the church teaches to read. (i've tried this with a few family and friends, without too much success so far. but i can't not keep at it for some reason.)

i often feel like i'm surrounded by lapsed catholic family and friends who present a heavy barrier of indifference toward faith that is difficult to pierce through. it's frustrating but i think if i ever get through to someone or get someone to regard catholicism with a more open mind i will feel a great sense of accomplishment.