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In depth Q and A

How can I communicate my Catholic faith to others?

There are four simple ways to share our faith with others.

1) Treat Others with Reverence: Think of the impact that Mother Teresa had on the lives of so many people. What was her great secret? She treated everyone she encountered as though they were Jesus Christ himself and others experienced the love of Christ through her. As C. S. Lewis put it so beautifully, "Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses." (The Weight of Glory, p. 19)

2) Share your own experience: Share in your own words your experiences of God and of the Catholic faith. People are often hungry for stories of hope and you may be surprised at their eagerness to hear more! For example:

What difference has your faith in Christ made in your life?

  • Has your faith given you hope or peace in difficult times?
  • Have you experienced God's healing, help, or forgiveness?
  • Are your relationships or work more meaningful?
  • Have you been supported or encouraged by other Christians?

Is there something about the Catholic faith that you particularly appreciate?

  • The truth and beauty of the liturgy or Scripture?
  • The Catholic intellectual tradition?
  • The amazing lives and holiness of Catholic saints?
  • The richness of Catholic prayer and mysticism?
  • Catholic history or artistic traditions?

3) Exercise your charisms: Every baptized Christian has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit through Baptism and Confirmation. Charisms, or spiritual gifts, are special abilities given to Christians by the Holy Spirit to enable them to be powerful channels of God's love and redeeming presence in the world. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2003)

God has not chosen to enter his world unilaterally! God's mercy, wisdom, encouragement, hope, truth, and provision reach others through us. Our charisms are not given to us for our own sake but so that others may encounter the love of God through us. For more information on charisms, visit our Gifts FAQ.

4) Help others encounter the Church: When we help others encounter the Church, even in small ways, we are helping them encounter Jesus.

"What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church." (The Sermons of St. Augustine, 267,4)
"Christ and his church thus together make up the "whole Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 795).

We can help others encounter the Church when we:

  • Listen to others share their experiences with God and/or the Church. (Try this with Catholics who have left the Church:
  • Ask them why they are no longer attending Church. Don't try to defend the Church or "fix" the problems. Listen prayerfully, asking that God touch them with his love and peace. Just having a practicing Christian listen to them can be a powerfully healing experience.)
  • Offer to pray for others. (Try it. Rarely will anyone turn you down. Everyone has worries and needs, and even non-believers are open to the possibility that there might be something to this "prayer thing". )
  • Pray with others.
  • Wear a crucifix or medal and are ready to talk about its significance with others.
  • Make the sign of the cross in public. (Long lapsed Catholics have returned to the practice of the faith because they saw a fellow Catholic make a sign of the cross before eating in a restaurant.)
  • Talk about how our relationship with God or how being Catholic has made a positive difference in our own life.
  • Are ready to explain Catholic teachings and practices.
  • Invite friends or family to Mass, a parish social event, special event, or small group that would interest them.

    For more resources to help you share your faith to others, see

    Evangelism and Apologetics
    Global Church Missions

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