Living the Obstacles of Being a Catholic

It is not easy to be a Catholic in the world today. We might not become a martyr for the faith but in a quiet way, we can show others we are Christian without words;  we can be a light in the darkness.

The Immigrant Experience

My mom and dad always told me stories about how my family arrived here from Italy over 100 years ago. It was bewildering starting life in a new world where everyone spoke English but us. Their first experience here on Halloween was harrowing; the bizarre costumes, decorating, antics, and rituals were completely foreign to my Italian ancestors.

My mother’s grandfather came alone to a small city to settle in 1913 and eventually brought the family over in pieces until we all were here and settled. One disheartening comment was hearing how my great-grandfather was not particularly keen on the Catholic Church despite coming from a Catholic Country. I never knew him of course but it left me wondering.

One time, while visiting Denver Colorado, I came upon a shrine to Mother Cabrini (Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini)on some isolated mountaintop. I thought” what could she possibly be doing all the way out here?” I was proud that Italians made it that far at that time working on the railroads. After reading about her life, I thought about many things.

One part really struck me was the words of Pope Leo XIII to her. Mother Cabrini went to see Pope Leo XIII. When she saw him, knowing beforehand, that she wanted to go to the Orient, he told her that,

Hundreds of thousands of our Italian souls in America have become lost and battered sheep, isolated from Christ, understanding, and ordinary decency.The New World cries for the warmth and compassion of a mother’s heart, a heart tempered by love and sacrifice, the heart of the apostle. Francesca Cabrini, you have that very heart! My daughter, your field awaits you not in the East, but in the West. I desire very much a great missionary expansion in America. Plant there and cultivate the beautiful fruit of Christ.

And so she went with the blessing of the Holy Father. The challenge was accepted. Such greatness and she did not fly on a 787 but came by boat.

Fruit

Fruit does not grow so easily. It must be nurtured and cared for. Unfortunately, there are many weeds in the orchard. I am saying that because she and many Catholics like her faced many obstacles to allow this fruit to grow. The most difficult obstacles sometimes come from within the world around us, our own families, and even in society.

Daring people like Mother Cabrini must be admired. However, there are many Catholics who face opposition each day in their own lives. Faithful get laughed at, ridiculed, ignored, and painted with brushes they do not deserve.

I read often about how many Catholics are killed for their faith over the centuries and in the present time. Pope Francis said: In a General Audience on 25 September 2019, we hear the same words spoken by Pope Francis. Once again, he was reflecting on the martyrdom of St Stephen.

There are more martyrs today than there were at the beginning of the life of the Church, and martyrs are everywhere. Today the Church is rich in martyrs, it is steeped in their blood. The blood of Christians is seed.

Catholic Martyrs

The feast day which fascinates me in the Church is June 30^th when we remember the First Martyrs of Rome. I always read about it that day before mass. It is so beautiful though hurtful to read of this great heroism back then. Oh, how the first martyrs suffered at the hands of Emperor Nero. But Pope Francis is correct in stating that it is still happening today.

I speak to teachers in Catholic schools and sometimes they tell me that does not feel free to speak of their faith in these places. We cannot shout the name of Christ from rooftops and expect no backlash, but we must remain committed in our faith to know that he will carry us through. I think often of these early saints and martyrs, but I also look around in my workplace, and in the circles, I travel to know that there is still the hope that martyrs who shed their blood for us are remembered.

It was not in vain that Christ died. He has already conquered the world, and this is a sentence I hear every Good Friday. Nevertheless, it pains me to read about the suffering of Catholics around the world, but it also pains me more to read how Catholics are persecuted for their own faith in their homes and workplaces. In his message on the Value and Content of Freedom and Conscience of Religion, St. Pope John Paul II insists that the people must be free to worship. Friday, 14 November 1980.

How Are We Free?

Where I live, I go to daily mass. I have the great fortune to be able to attend without hindrance. I do not think it is automatic in many parts of the world. It must be tragic to be mocked and ridiculed for faith – for believing in something that is such a grace and blessing. It is our right. Having the churches closed for three months was gut-wrenching. I remember my neighbour telling me what a loss that was. Then I read the book, A Song for Nagasaki, and the Japanese were left without priests and mass for much longer. Let us remain steadfast in our faith despite these obstacles. Christ will always be with us – he promised us. Will we always be with Him?

 What I Can Do?

I am certainly no politician. I am not so influential, and I do not have a YouTube account to be an influencer but we can all lead by example. In a quiet way, we can show others we are Christian without words. I think often of the Carmelites I visit and the commitment they have made to Christ and live for him. Pope Saint Clement, I said,

Through him, our gaze penetrates the heights of heaven and we see as in a mirror the most Holy Face of God. Through Christ, the eyes of our hearts are opened, and our weak and clouded judgment reaches up toward the light.

Hopefully, others will be attracted to this gaze.  It is not easy to be a Catholic in the world today even though I might not be killed for my faith. Our task was never guaranteed to be easy; our only guarantee is that Christ would be with us.