What Does True Friendship Look Like?

We call so many people friends these days we may have no idea what true friendship looks like. Aristotle talks about three types of friendship: friendship of utility where we get along with the person when we run into them on a regular basis, friendship of pleasure where we enjoy certain hobbies together, and friendship of virtue where we share a common life goal. The third is the most valuable, and if you’re Christian, the common goal you have with these friends is heaven.

Friendships of virtue also don’t shy away from accountability. If such a friend is doing something wrong or not stepping up when he or she needs to, you’re not afraid to tell him or her about it. Be a good friend today, because:

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter:
he that has found one has found a treasure” (Sirach 6:14).

Also check out these videos on friendship by Jackie & Bobby and Fr. Mike:

Having Friends of the Opposite Sex
Don’t Have Any Friends?
Why Is It So Hard to Make Friends?

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[aikarodriguez]

"Friendships make your life worth living." How profound and true.

[tryhardf]

A true friend is somebody that knows everything about you yet still loves you for who you are, not for what you do or dont do.

A.K.A Jesus.

[laurengb]

I only have 3 friends like this but 3 is more than enough

[an]

For me it’s hard though bc I’m in university so I’m always saying “do you boo” since college is so stressful and I don’t want to seem judgemental 😭. My true friends won’t get offended if I say something but I don’t trust anyone enough to put my opinion on what they decide to do with their life. Please pray for me so that I have courage

[caribaez]

Whoever has Jesus in their heart, they will wish good things to anyone even their haters.

[LuiCSings]

For those that find it hard to have IRL friends, I find that making a penpal (different from online friends) is an excellent way to maintain a friendship, to be loyal, it is incredibly personal and heartfelt and as stated in the video: "Wants the best out of each other."

It gets tough, but that common goal of reaching heaven or becoming holy really guides you.

I hope this will help someone! :)

[GinnyandEric]

“I knew you were gonna say that.” Best intro. 😂 Thanks for this video.

[dursty]

"you do you, boo" is exactly how modern western culture defines love, and trying to call the best out of someone is often viewed as hatred because you aren't "accepting" them for "who they are."

it breaks my heart, man. and it makes it so hard to show real love to people.

[mug]

This popped up as I'm writing a paper on friendship for my philosophy class....😁

[andrewdrew]

The only true friendship is found in the Lord, imparting His virtues within you through Holy Spirit.
Loving you just the way you are, this friendship creates confidence
In the knowledge of His love through the word of truth, bringing life to your troubled soul .

[laurenchase]

This video came just when I needed it. As a college student it can be very hard to find virtuous friends. I am struggling with finding those people. This video was the light I needed.

[caribaez]

Still, be a good friend and you will make good friends. Depression is the biggest mental illness and all of this is because people don’t know to approach.

[KurffyOriginal]

What brought me into the faith was praying for a best friend. I felt God telling me it was a specific person I met at a youth retreat but she doesn't talk to me. Instead my best friend is someone I met at my 2nd weekend retreat and we pray the rosary together and we also go to retreats together now (He wants to be a priest). but that person i first met still comes to mind a lot and I can't forget her even if I tried, I still pray for her and her family and i hope to see her again. Now I pray for another best friend, one that goes to my school and my youth. at this point I can only keep on praying for the Girl and a friend for school.

[sarahrichards]

The Dickeydines show is the purest demonstration of friendship...ok so "purest" may not be the right word, but definitely the best👍

[peaceserenity]

Thank you. This video comes at a good time. I’ve been reflecting lately about a long time friend. I’ve always enjoyed our long lunch date conversations because we often spoke of our faith and trust in God. Although we are both Catholic, she is not a practicing Catholic. Recently, I have been called to daily mass. Our parish priest, my spiritual director, has been holding adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for a half hour before the noon mass. This time had been so healing and sacred to me. Sadly, she thinks I’ve become, as she calls it « spiritually lopsided ». I pray for her to return to the church. God is so good though, I’ve reconnected with an old friend from my college days. She totally understands my being called to daily mass and, as she has been deeply struggling since the loss of her daughter, yesterday, joined me. We decided we would make weekly mass and lunch dates. As for my other friend. I leave the door open but I’ve decided to pull away a little.

[HawkingRegime]

Excellent video. I have a tough time making friends in general, but finding friends who are Catholic in a University setting has been difficult for me, even while going to mass each week. I suppose the solution is to actually join in a Catholic or young adults group and go from there, it just can be challenging when you don't have connections to any Catholics.

[cookielove]

God is cool. I needed this video thank you🙏😘

[joanyates]

I have found wonderful faith filled friends among people I met in Bible classes, & working in various ministries.

[aldocero]

Jackie was about to say "we love Pokémon". 🤣

[SevenDeMagnus]

Yes. I love St. Thomas Aquinas' definition of true friends but it's very difficult (you'll most likely be on your own but if it's worth exchanging for sainthood, then it's worth it).