The Irish standard., 1914-06-27
THE CATHOLIC BRIDE OF A NON.
CATHOLIC.

CATHOLIC.
We are in the month of June
brides, and there are not few mixed
marriages. Here is the experience of
Mrs. A., as reported in The Southern
Messenger:
If there is any one in the world
that my whole heart goes out to it
is the young Catholic wife of a non
Catholic husband.
While the rosy time of engage
ment flew by, filled with all the joy
Gus business of getting ready to be
bride, little thought had she that
any difference of religious opinion.
or lack of religion in the man she
loved could ever mean anything in
the happiness of their future lives.
But the honeymoon has not waned
till the young wife knows she Is
facing a problem which may make
or mar her life. And here want to
say to every woman who finds her
self in that position: BE no less a
Catholic in your new home than you
were in your DID,"
Never, never make the mistake Of
dropping your Catholic practices or
anything connected with your reli-
gion, thinking that this or that might
seem odd to your husband, or that
his not understanding it might ahve
bad effect; be assured that if he
will not tolerate things Catholic in
the first golden days of your mar
ried life, he will not do so later, and
no matter how odd or superstitious
they may seem to him at first, when
he learns their true significance they
will gradually become beautiful to
him.
Live your religion but do not ar
que it. Always explain any doctrine
or practice gently and clearly, read
ing passage from the Faith of Our
Fathers" or from Deharbe's cate
chism, if the case may warrant, but
never one word Of argument no mat
ter how sorely you may be tempted.
In short, live up to the best that
is in you, and make the atmosphere
of your home Catholic atmosphere
from the very first day you enter it.
Let your husband and his friends
find Catholic newspapers and books
on the reading table. Don't be
ashamed of your crucifix and sacred
pictures; they are silent profession
of that faith which is your most
precious heritage.
Remember your husband chose a
Catholic girl from all the world of
women to be his wife. and by the
true Catholicity Of your life you will
make his home the sweetest. happi-
est. hottest spot on earth for him,
proving with the passing years the
wisdom of his choice.
Perhaps you are asking me. little
bride, or bride-to-be, why I feel
called upon to give this advice; now
I will tell you why the subject ap-
peals to me so strongly.
Twenty years ago, fresh from the
convent school. came bride to the
home of my non-Catholic husband
came to live among his people in a
village where was the only Cath
Ollie. My husbands family received
me with affection, but alas! was
soon to know that they were bitterly
prejudiced against the Church, with
out knowledge of one Of her doc
trines. but with transformation
enough to fill volumes.
saw how easy it would be to
make failure of my life; prayerful-
ly l resolved never to be drawn into
an argument of religion, but to ex-
plain carefully each little thing as
opportunity offered.
The first time my new relatives
dined with us they made some COM
ment on the sign of the cross which
they observed I made before said
grace. o. how glad was to unfold
It's beautiful sacredness to them all:
it was like giving a soldier a chance
to defend his flag. When had fin
ished I knew that never again would
it seem a superstitious practice to
them.
Once, when my husband found he
could not move me from what he
termed my own scrupulousness, he
said impatiently. 20, believe you
are different from any woman ever
saw" A year had scarcely gone by
when he said almost the same words.
but in a different tone; kneeling by
my bed with his arm around me and
his little son, he repeated the same
words and added. land thank God
for my brave Catholic wife,"
Years have gone by since then:
have had the happiness Of seeing my
despised religion respected among
my husbands people. and the still
greater happiness of seeing my be-
loved husband baptized. and have
knelt beside him at Gods holy altar