February 6, 2011
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Coming Home
I encountered a young man this weekend who told a group of us how he came to be Catholic.
We were all gathered to hear a couple of young religious sisters talk about the importance of religious life in the Church and the responsibility they have in providing a witness for the Gospel life. When it came time to offer responses to the presentation, the young man began to speak.
He said that he had grown up Methodist and considered himself to be a pretty good Christian. Then he attended a very secular university and after a few months noticed that something seemed to be missing from his life. After thinking about it he realized that there was no room and no place in his life for his faith, so he made room and began attending a Methodist church every Sunday. Months passed by and his heart was growing in love for Christ and he wanted more, but wherever he went they only had worship on Sunday. Then he heard that most Catholic churches offer daily Mass, and he wished that other denominations offered daily worship. So, to try and provide daily nourishment for his soul he turned to studying and praying with the Scripture, and as he learned more and more about the Gospel and the way of life it offers he began to notice the people who gave up everything to follow Christ–possessions, families, marriage; everything to follow Him. He took a hard look at his church and asked, “Where are those people? Why isn’t there anyone giving up everything to follow Christ?”
Around that time he began noticing various religious around St. Louis (we are nicknamed “The Rome of the West” for a reason!) and his curiosity was piqued.
As he learned more about these people he realized that they were the ones he’d been looking for. He had found a Church in which there were people who gave up everything to follow Christ and to serve Him.
He then told us that it was this that convinced him of where he needed to be in order to be faithful to Christ. He had no theological or historical hurdles to overcome, he just said yes to where Christ was leading him and went headlong. Can you imagine the gift of faith that this young man had, to cast aside any past doubts or questions regarding the Catholic Church that he picked up throughout his life as a Methodist, being so convinced by the witness of the Church’s consecrated religious? It completely blew me away!
He was received into full communion last Easter. Praise God!
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Comments (16)
That’s quite a testimony… I don’t think I could do what he did. It does give me pause though – I couldn’t be a priest, but I have to admire their dedication. Which leaves me with the question that he asked – why don’t others do that? Who says you have to be Catholic, to give up so much…? Why isn’t it practiced more in other denominations? And … why don’t I do that? You’ve given me much to mull over.
@Passionflwr86 -
Do pray it over; if anything you’ll come out of it loving Christ more, which is no bad thing! I believe part of the reason Christians in other denominations do not do this for the most part is because as other denominations are there is no support for this way of life. Voluntary poverty, chastity and obedience clash with many Protestant ideals it seems to me and since the consecrated way of life is commonly viewed as being very Catholic, there is an unfortunate repulsion to it by many.
Also the Eucharist helps tremendously, for in this Sacrament we consecrated religious have everything we truly need: Jesus Christ present to dwell with us, feed us, love us, guide us…there are some religious orders that spend hours a day simply spending time with Christ in the Eucharist and praying for the whole world (you included)!
I hope your thought and prayer on this matter proves fruitful!
That is a truly inspirational story.
Wow, quite the story (and one I needed to hear). I like the idea of “go headlong” – go where Christ is leading you, and allow him to answer your unasked questions on the journey. And, all the more important reminder, to witness to the faith at all times. You never know who is watching and listening…
Thanks for sharing, Scribe.
One of my closest friends is entering into full communion this Easter, I’m psyched!
Our Protestant brethren work so incredibly hard for such meager wages. Catholics receive Eucharist as a complete gift every day!
I approve this message.
It’s always wonderful to welcome a new believer in Christ.
I tried to rec this, but the site wouldn’t let me. :(
I love this testimony. I have known others who gave up all to follow Christ, not just Catholics. I am glad this person gave his whole life to God and he found a church that helps support him.
Stories like this make me feel so lucky to be Catholic.
what a great story.
Praise Christ in His Infinite Wisdom for establishing His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, not merely just one denomination among many, but the True Church.
scribe, i’ve been wondering. i’ve heard that St. Louis has been called the Rome of the West. why is that? it came up just the other day in discussion with some friends.
@rusty0505 -
As far as I understand it we are called the Rome of the West because there are so many Catholic Churches here in the city (many beautiful ones at that) and there are so many religious communities represented here, many with their motherhouses and headquarters here. If there are reasons beyond those, I am unaware of them!
@Ancient_Scribe - makes sense. cardinal burke’s next in line for pope too then. haha jk.
Praise God! I always find stories like this so inspiring. I wonder if he is part of Marcus Grodi’s Coming Home Network. He hosts guests on his TV show like this fellow every week. As far as giving something up to become Catholic, I see it more as what one gains–Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. It was Jesus who brought me back to the Catholic Church. I didn’t find Him anywhere else.
What a wonderful story! It was this young man’s desire for full commitment to Christ which led him to Catholicism; it was my love of Scripture that brought me in. I was longing to find a place where I could be sure that the Bible was being interpreted correctly, so I could better understand and follow God. Throughout the time I attended Mass before conversion, the Scripture became alive for me in a way I had never experienced it before. Anyway, I ended up a Catholic 6 and a half years ago, and I love the Church more and more each year. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the Mass!