"Oh, are you a real Catholic?"

This was the start of a conversation that unfolded today when I picked up a classmate to go to university.

At first I was bit puzzled by his question. I had heard the question "Are you a Catholic?" plenty in high school but I hadn't quite pondered the difference between "Catholic" and "real Catholic". After a few seconds of not answering, he let go of the rosary hanging on my rear-view mirror and continued, "I mean, do you actually believe and go to Mass every week? Or are like most young people that really don't care?"

"Oh," I replied still thinking over the question. I glanced quickly to the side and noticed him staring blankly at the road before us and before I could answer more he continued.

"You know, it's so rare to find people that actually believe anymore.  People that's actually their decision and will and their desire to be Catholic," he wistfully ended.

I left his question unattended until after classes. On the way back a few Gregorian chants from a CD that a dear Dominican friar gave me started playing from my iPod and he joyfully chimed in about the history of Gregorian chant, and its unique 4-note simplicity.

"So you do actually go to Mass?", he asked again.

"Yes, I got at least once a week, and now with afternoon classes I could even go daily if I wanted", I replied with a sincere smile.

"Great, yeah, I usually go about 4 times a week," he answered nonchalantly yet joyfully.

I thought more about his question when I got home. Part of me felt saddened that he thought so few  young people practiced their faith, even if I didn't doubt that was true. However, on that same "sadness" I also realized what great grace this 21-year old held, regardless of the seeming "absence" of others in faith what he believed he adored, and thus it was a most joyful treasure for him and it only took a few minutes to notice this for me.

After further reflection I also began to understand a bit why the separation between "Catholic" and "real Catholic".. or at least this is my own hypothesis on it. I suppose, Mexico, and Guadalajara in particularly, is an extremely extremely "Catholic" city. In the sense that historically, and culturally, it's infused with Catholicism. There are parishes about every 3 blocks, and, particularly downtown, shrines that are across the street from each other. In a sense, it would a shock to not be Catholic, and yet, even amidst this obvious "Catholicity" the reality is its opposite for it's that much easier to neglect and ignore when you no longer recognize the value in what has been around for so long. So yes, I could see how "Are you a real Catholic?" was a very valid question, and, if taken a step further, it really questions upon the faithfulness of our own discipleship. Had this young man meant the latter I am sure I would of had a harder time with my answer.