She needs new faces / She knows the high stakes

The Chicks, Wide Open Spaces

Note: All images used in this post are credited to BYU’s Catholic Newman Club. Visit their Instagram here to connect with them and their service.

To begin, I really apologize for the long hiatus! Since my last post, I returned to the United States, got engaged to my wonderful boyfriend, and resumed class. I’m finally back, and back with a fire to discuss interfaith issues.

For those of you that don’t know, I’m a full time student at Brigham Young University. As a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’m one of an enormous religious majority at this university. It’s easy to see why; the Church in question is the one that funds and runs BYU, and students of the faith pay a very low tuition. For anyone on social media, BYU’s reputation might precede my explanation; the large population of practitioners of the same religion creates a very unique campus community. For example, other faiths that have worldwide presences, such as Catholicism or Sunni Islam, are represented on campus by clubs with relatively small memberships. It’s safe to say that the religious scene in Provo, UT is truly one of a kind. (Well, maybe one of three of a kind. There are two other BYU campuses, located in Idaho and Hawaii.)

Even though there isn’t much religious diversity in the community, there’s a lot of BYU students that are interested in learning about other faiths. A real testament of that was an activity that BYU’s Catholic Newman Club put on this last week: BYU’s first ever Catholic Mass. I’ll include the posted flyer below!

There were so many moments throughout this activity that were impactful to me, and I don’t have time to cover everything. The room was so full that by the time the mass began, rows and rows of people were standing. Brief and poignant explanations of ritual were given that made me feel truly welcome, even when the service was especially meant for Catholic students. Something that truly stood out to me, though, was the service leader’s thoughts that he shared.

I’m going to be straight up here, I don’t know what the worship leader’s title was. I know that he is a Dominican Friar, but aside from that, I’ll refrain from trying titles because I would hate to disrespect by using them incorrectly. Rest assured that in the following paragraph, “he” is referring to him.

In his sermon, he touched on the different uses of the symbol of the cross in Catholicism and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He acknowledged that Latter-day Saints refrain from using the cross in order to make the ultimate symbol their own Christian lives. But then, he spoke of how the imagery of the crucifix brings him closer to Jesus Christ. The crucifix depicts a dying Christ, suffering on the cross. It is deeply touching for all suffering Christians to remember that Christ has suffered alongside them. This was a new thought for me, and I really loved it.

Catholicism is a beautiful faith centered on Jesus Christ, with a rich history of people trying to better themselves. I’m so thankful for the students and leaders that made this service possible, because it is a memory that I will forever cherish. It was a testament to me that learning about other religions can and will make lives more full.

What religious teaching has impacted your life recently?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Culturally called the “Mormon Church,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prefers its full title to emphasize its Christian beliefs. Believe that God has called a modern-day prophet to restore the Jesus Christ’s Church, which was corrupted. Teachings include increasing focus on the Savior, caring for the poor, ending personal conflict in lives, and strengthening families.

“Jesus Christ’s Church Is Restored.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.(www.churchofjesuschrist.org/welcome/restored-church-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng)

Roman Catholicism

Prominent Christian branch. Begun during the Apostolic Age of Christianity, soon after the death of Jesus Christ. Over time, the bishop of Rome became the most powerful leader in this church. Many councils met over time to determine doctrine and clarify beliefs. Great Schism of 1054 led to separation between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Protestantism split off of Catholicism. Beliefs include sacraments, the authority of scripture and tradition together, and that the Catholic Church is the one true church.

“Is Catholicism a Branch of Christianity?” Christianity.com. (https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/what-is-catholicism.html)

Sunni Islam

“Sunni, member of one of the two major branches of Islam, the branch that consists of the majority of that religion’s adherents. Sunni Muslims regard their denomination as the mainstream and traditionalist branch of Islam—as distinguished from the minority denomination, the Shiʿah. The Sunnis recognize the first four caliphs as the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) rightful successors…Sunni orthodoxy is marked by an emphasis on the views and customs of the majority of the community, as distinguished from the views of peripheral groups…The Sunnis recognize the six “sound” books of Hadith, which contain the spoken tradition attributed to Muhammad. The Sunnis also accept as orthodox four schools of Islamic law: Ḥanafī, Ḥanbalī, Mālikī, and Shāfiʿī. In the early 21st century the Sunnis constituted the majority of Muslims in all countries except Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and perhaps Lebanon. They numbered about 900 million in the early 21st century and constituted a majority of all the adherents of Islam.”

“Sunni.” Britannica. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sunni)

Dominican Friar

“…Friars are members of the Order of Preachers, aka ‘The Dominicans’ and [they] are members of the Eastern Dominican Province. There are many provinces throughout the world, which together comprise the Order. The Order of Preachers was founded in 1216 by St. Dominic de Guzman in response to a then desperate need for informed preaching…The chief motivation for our common life is to live together harmoniously, seeking God with one mind and heart…life as Dominicans is ordered by regular observance, which includes the evangelical counsels, common life, the celebration of the liturgy, and private prayer, as well as assiduous study and apostolic ministry.”

“History of the Dominican Friars.” Dominican Friars Foundation. (https://dominicanfriars.org/about/history-dominican-friars/)

Crucifix

Christian symbol. A depiction of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross.

“A Cross And A Crucifix: Is One A Better Symbol Than The Other?” Diocesan. (https://diocesan.com/cross-crucifix-similar-different/#:~:text=The%20most%20marked%20difference%20between,not%20be%20depicted%20that%20way.)