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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Friend may be dying Patrick Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Question:

Brother,

Hope you are doing well. I have a friend that I have known since I was a teenager. I have not seen him very often in the last 25 years. He has recently been diagnosed with rectal cancer and it has spread to his liver. He is a baptized Catholic who, as I understand it, hasn't practiced in possibly 40 years.

His religion has been described as Secular, his own religion. I'm not sure what this means and am hoping you can fill me in on what to expect when I approach him and ask if he has made his peace with God. What arguments can I anticipate from him? What are the right words to get through to him, or at least get him to consider that Jesus is the answer and he needs to go back to Church/Confession and begin receiving the sacraments, in the event the worst happens. I don’t want to be in a situation where I am confronting him about it but feel I must say something before it is too late.

I suppose I’m confused and need your guidance. Or just need to vent with someone who has good knowledge of this since I've never done it before. Please give me your thoughts.

I sent him a get well card around a month ago along with a picture of the Divine Chaplet of Mercy (a small card). I have offered up three masses for him and have also added his name to the weekly list of sick in my parish. I am considering calling the parish where he lives and asking the Priest if he will give him a call. I have also been talking to others about this and another friend in our little group says he knows I will approach him about it. Not sure why I mention this other than giving you as much detail as possible about the situation in hopes of me doing this right and making it about more about him and less about 2 people arguing or having a long, ego-filled fruitless discussion.

Thanks for listening.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC

Dear Patrick:

There is not much I can say as I do not know this person, his personality, or his willingness to talk about the things of God. Speaking generically, give him support, and speak to him in love about our Lord. See how open he is to talking about his relationship with God.

There are hundreds of possible things he may say. I cannot anticipate them. I would study the Catechism so that you have a firm grounding in the faith. I would also recommend the booklet, Beginning Apologetics and other booklets they have depending on what objections he brings up. This link is to buy the set, but if you scroll down you will see links to buy booklets individually. Also the Catholic Answer Tracts that deal with answer various objections to the Faith. Also the site of Biblical Evidence for Catholicism.

These sources will give answers to most objections that people have.

For specific questions questions your friend may have you can also post them in this Q&A.

In addition to this it is most important to pray for him. The Hedge Prayer for Return of Wayward Catholics and other prayers in our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog are appropriate.

We will certainly be in prayer for your friend and for you, that the Holy Spirit will give you the words you need to say.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary
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