Why I Became Catholic
Over the Easter weekend, I took a leap of faith in my lifelong journey through religion: I became Catholic.
The conversion process has piqued the interest of many people who have asked why, as a lifelong Christian, I decided to convert to Catholicism now.
While I don’t profess to be a Theologian, I’m happy to shed some Light on what led me to this personal decision.
When Pope Benedict the XVI first came to his position in 2005, I sat up and took notice of what he proclaimed was his mission as Pope. He said he felt he was placed here to “restore Order on this earth.” It had been widely known that his predecessor Pope John Paul II had been the Leader who grew the Church by leaps and bounds, invited the masses into the house, and expanded the garden, so to speak. Those of us who garden know if you don't weed the garden occasionally, nothing else can grow. Thus, Benedict said, he was put here to “weed the garden.” I liked this. A lot. And it got me thinking.
At a time when so much of the Britney Spears, post-9/11 World seemed out of control, I respected a man who sought to “restore Order.” It was an unpopular position, to be sure – and all the more reason for this rebel to like it.
And so I began to watch with particular interest to see what the Church would do on matters of faith, politics, and world affairs. My own "Pope Watch" of sorts.
As it so happened, events in my personal and professional life also began intersecting with this faith. I happened to be serving at the epicenter of the most controversial Ballot Measure in California history – perhaps even the Nation’s history. As the Chief Spokesperson who was hired to protect Traditional Marriage via California’s controversial Prop. 8, I found myself taking much abuse at the hands of the opponents – the very opponents who, by the way, claimed they were about “love” and “tolerance.” I received death threats, vulgar calls, incessant phone calls at 3a.m., you name it, harassment 24 hours a day, 'round the clock, seven days a week. And while I won’t go into detail, I will say the calls being released these days by Congressmen regarding the healthcare threats are mild in comparison. But I digress.
The irony is, I came to the Prop. 8 campaign not because I dislike gay individuals (I firmly believe in Big & Rich's motto of "Love everybody.") In fact, I was quite Libertarian about it at the time. The reason I initially came to the campaign was my concern that the voters of California, who had voted fair and square, kept having their vote on marriage tossed out by a Judge – an action which I found to be wholly unconstitutional. As one of several individuals who had served as an Assistant Secretary of State in California, I had once helped to uphold the vote of the people and took that job very seriously. I therefore looked upon the events of the time as an injustice to the millions of voters in California who had, plainly and simply, exercised their Constitutional right to vote.
Nevertheless, the reason I came aboard didn’t matter: I quickly became public enemy #1. All because in my own small way, I too was taking a stand to help restore some semblance of order on this earth. And, as time wore on, I felt myself identifying more and more with the principles that the Catholic church was standing on. I began to fully appreciate the uphill battle and the hatred that Pope Benedict was facing in this world.
Through that personal experience, I began to feel a kindred spirit, a common mission with the Church. Unlike the smaller, one-off community churches I had been a part of most of my life, this one was different. I felt a real sense of strength in numbers. And so I enrolled in an exploratory course at the Church. If I liked it, I would become a member of the Catholic church. And like it I did.
In fact, I fell in love.
For the first time in my life, the “Signs, Symbols, and Sacraments” of Christianity all became crystal clear to me during my conversion to the Catholic church. Sure, I previously understood the basic tenets of faith, the words of the Bible, and how to pray. And have had a close relationship with God (save for a few years here and there). But I never truly understood the big picture as I did once I began this journey.
For starters, there is the Apostolic succession of Bishops in the Catholic church, which in plain English means that every Bishop that currently holds their position in the Church has been tapped, handed down in perfect succession from the original 12 Apostles in the Bible. They can be traced back, one by one, as “one unbroken chain” of successors from the original Apostles. I don’t know about you, but in today’s disposable, don’t-keep-anything, just-buy-a-new-one, who’s-keeping-track-anyway society, I find that to be truly remarkable.
Then there are the 12 Stations of the Cross – each one symbolizing the 12 stops Jesus made on his way to die on the cross. Posted around the church, those 12 scenes (whether painted in the stained glass windows or represented by placards) serve as an ever-present reminder of the sacrifices he made for us along his own journey.
Next is the Candle that always burns during Mass in a Catholic church, representing the light of Jesus Christ – an eternal light which, as Easter shows us, cannot be snuffed out even in the face of the harshest adversity.
Even the use of Incense in the church even bears significance. In the Bible, it says that prayers are to rise just as the smoke of the incense. Just as ceremonial incense rises to the rafters of the Church, so it is that our Prayers rise to Heaven.
Even the exploratory class which introduces you into the Church holds a special symbolism. The class itself is a 9-month long process – the exact length of time it takes to birth a new life.
Even the name “Catholic” has more clarity. Growing up in the “Bible belt” known as Oklahoma, I somehow had the sense that “Catholics” were different than we “regular” Christians; I know I can't be the only one who thought this for years. I’ve even heard it called “a cult” by those who don’t quite understand the hierarchical traditions of the church. But the fact is, the word “Catholic” simply comes from the Greek word (as well as the Latin and French word) “universal.” It simply means that the Catholic church is “the” universal church for Christians across the world. In fact, Anglican churches and other denominations refer broadly to the Catholic church as the Christian Church which most represents all believers in Jesus Christ across the world, regardless of age, denomination, language, or ethnicity. Christians all across the world are receiving the same message of God in their native language. That’s pretty powerful.
Mass, then, represents the entire “Mass” which attends church every week. It also means “mass” in the sense that we are the “body” of the church (as in, ‘body mass’). Each week, the mass comes to their respective church, and receives the same word that someone halfway across the World is receiving. I appreciate that kind of consistency in a world where charismatic pastors are so often “interpreting the Bible” to their own readings. The Mass readings are ordained, prayed over, and are prepared far in advance under the guiding hand of the Vatican conference who is charged with protecting the original meaning of the Bible.
Location, Location Location: I especially appreciate, as someone who travels often, that I don’t have to hunt down a particular community church to receive my weekly message; I can simply walk into any Catholic church, anywhere in the World, and hear the message of the week. I like that the same word that is being read in mass in Los Angeles, is the same word being read at mass in Barcelona.
Contrary to what you hear in the Media, I found there to be no Secrecy in the Catholic church. During the 18 month timeframe attending my two programs, I was free to ask any questions I saw fit. We discussed the sex abuse scandal currently facing the church, and I even (respectfully) questioned them about Nancy Pelosi’s ability to freely take Communion in the church, while she serves as an aggressive advocate for abortions. All of my questions were answered to my satisfaction, and I was never – ever – frowned upon for expressing the reservations I had about the church.
Then, there’s “The Book.” Ever since I attended Vacation Bible School at six years old, I have read in the Bible that when you become a Christian and a member of the church, your name is to be “written in the book” of the ages. I never knew if this was simply a figure of speech, but since I’m a fairly literal person I kept my eye out for this book over the years. (Okay, I can hear you laughing now.) Naturally, whenever I joined a new Church, I would always ask, almost child-like, “Do I need to register my name in a book somewhere?” It was a question that was usually met with giggles. Fast forward to my Catholic church Initiation, where my name was written in, you guessed it, “the Book.” Once each book gets filled, they are sent to The Vatican for safekeeping and preserved for generations as a record of your declaration of faith. (No wonder they still have records dating back to the original 12 Apostles.) Another chapter closed on this mystery for me. It’s official, I’m in the book. Which reminds me: Jesus, don’t forget to look me up next time you come down.
Lastly, there are the 7 Gifts of the Catholic Faith. Seven honorary “gifts” which are bestowed upon you during your commitment to the Catholic church. Without saying too much, I was stunned to discover they match up squarely with the “7 Gifts” I once pledged – i.e., the promise to live a faithful life, to give my best effort toward a life that is beyond reproach, and to abide by the highest standards of conduct, even in the company of men – words of my bond that I once pledged to my esteemed Pi Beta Phi sorority when I was initiated nearly 20 years ago. It’s as if the gifts I gave as an offering of my life somehow found their way back to me in full stead, 20 years later. Another full circle moment for me.
In closing, and speaking of full circle, this brings me back to where I began: Pope Benedict. A man of conviction and purpose, he has recently been battered over the horrid child sex scandals that continue to plague the Catholic church. Despite what the Media would have you believe, Pope Benedict actually IS the right person for the right job at the right time. And I’ll tell you why. Under Pope John Paul, it was actually Benedict who became so shocked over the number of complaints coming through the door, that it was in fact Benedict who took it upon himself to read the 1,000 personal letters of the victims who had been abused. And it was Benedict who personally met with each and every victim who wished to have a personal meeting with the Church, in order to give voice to their claims. Is that not the right person to address this crisis? Alas, as with so many other scandals in the world (politics, etc.), I firmly believe opponents will continue to attempt to remove him from the leadership of the Catholic church; not because he was involved in the scandal in any way, but because they happen to know he’s a hardliner who disagrees with them on 99% of their other issues. To that end, Pope Benedict has already addressed his critics head-on. And his words once again fill my heart with satisfaction: “I will not back down, I will not be intimidated.”
With everything we’re facing in the World today, that sounds like a good Catholic creed to me.
Peace be with you.
The conversion process has piqued the interest of many people who have asked why, as a lifelong Christian, I decided to convert to Catholicism now.
While I don’t profess to be a Theologian, I’m happy to shed some Light on what led me to this personal decision.
When Pope Benedict the XVI first came to his position in 2005, I sat up and took notice of what he proclaimed was his mission as Pope. He said he felt he was placed here to “restore Order on this earth.” It had been widely known that his predecessor Pope John Paul II had been the Leader who grew the Church by leaps and bounds, invited the masses into the house, and expanded the garden, so to speak. Those of us who garden know if you don't weed the garden occasionally, nothing else can grow. Thus, Benedict said, he was put here to “weed the garden.” I liked this. A lot. And it got me thinking.
At a time when so much of the Britney Spears, post-9/11 World seemed out of control, I respected a man who sought to “restore Order.” It was an unpopular position, to be sure – and all the more reason for this rebel to like it.
And so I began to watch with particular interest to see what the Church would do on matters of faith, politics, and world affairs. My own "Pope Watch" of sorts.
As it so happened, events in my personal and professional life also began intersecting with this faith. I happened to be serving at the epicenter of the most controversial Ballot Measure in California history – perhaps even the Nation’s history. As the Chief Spokesperson who was hired to protect Traditional Marriage via California’s controversial Prop. 8, I found myself taking much abuse at the hands of the opponents – the very opponents who, by the way, claimed they were about “love” and “tolerance.” I received death threats, vulgar calls, incessant phone calls at 3a.m., you name it, harassment 24 hours a day, 'round the clock, seven days a week. And while I won’t go into detail, I will say the calls being released these days by Congressmen regarding the healthcare threats are mild in comparison. But I digress.
The irony is, I came to the Prop. 8 campaign not because I dislike gay individuals (I firmly believe in Big & Rich's motto of "Love everybody.") In fact, I was quite Libertarian about it at the time. The reason I initially came to the campaign was my concern that the voters of California, who had voted fair and square, kept having their vote on marriage tossed out by a Judge – an action which I found to be wholly unconstitutional. As one of several individuals who had served as an Assistant Secretary of State in California, I had once helped to uphold the vote of the people and took that job very seriously. I therefore looked upon the events of the time as an injustice to the millions of voters in California who had, plainly and simply, exercised their Constitutional right to vote.
Nevertheless, the reason I came aboard didn’t matter: I quickly became public enemy #1. All because in my own small way, I too was taking a stand to help restore some semblance of order on this earth. And, as time wore on, I felt myself identifying more and more with the principles that the Catholic church was standing on. I began to fully appreciate the uphill battle and the hatred that Pope Benedict was facing in this world.
Through that personal experience, I began to feel a kindred spirit, a common mission with the Church. Unlike the smaller, one-off community churches I had been a part of most of my life, this one was different. I felt a real sense of strength in numbers. And so I enrolled in an exploratory course at the Church. If I liked it, I would become a member of the Catholic church. And like it I did.
In fact, I fell in love.
For the first time in my life, the “Signs, Symbols, and Sacraments” of Christianity all became crystal clear to me during my conversion to the Catholic church. Sure, I previously understood the basic tenets of faith, the words of the Bible, and how to pray. And have had a close relationship with God (save for a few years here and there). But I never truly understood the big picture as I did once I began this journey.
For starters, there is the Apostolic succession of Bishops in the Catholic church, which in plain English means that every Bishop that currently holds their position in the Church has been tapped, handed down in perfect succession from the original 12 Apostles in the Bible. They can be traced back, one by one, as “one unbroken chain” of successors from the original Apostles. I don’t know about you, but in today’s disposable, don’t-keep-anything, just-buy-a-new-one, who’s-keeping-track-anyway society, I find that to be truly remarkable.
Then there are the 12 Stations of the Cross – each one symbolizing the 12 stops Jesus made on his way to die on the cross. Posted around the church, those 12 scenes (whether painted in the stained glass windows or represented by placards) serve as an ever-present reminder of the sacrifices he made for us along his own journey.
Next is the Candle that always burns during Mass in a Catholic church, representing the light of Jesus Christ – an eternal light which, as Easter shows us, cannot be snuffed out even in the face of the harshest adversity.
Even the use of Incense in the church even bears significance. In the Bible, it says that prayers are to rise just as the smoke of the incense. Just as ceremonial incense rises to the rafters of the Church, so it is that our Prayers rise to Heaven.
Even the exploratory class which introduces you into the Church holds a special symbolism. The class itself is a 9-month long process – the exact length of time it takes to birth a new life.
Even the name “Catholic” has more clarity. Growing up in the “Bible belt” known as Oklahoma, I somehow had the sense that “Catholics” were different than we “regular” Christians; I know I can't be the only one who thought this for years. I’ve even heard it called “a cult” by those who don’t quite understand the hierarchical traditions of the church. But the fact is, the word “Catholic” simply comes from the Greek word (as well as the Latin and French word) “universal.” It simply means that the Catholic church is “the” universal church for Christians across the world. In fact, Anglican churches and other denominations refer broadly to the Catholic church as the Christian Church which most represents all believers in Jesus Christ across the world, regardless of age, denomination, language, or ethnicity. Christians all across the world are receiving the same message of God in their native language. That’s pretty powerful.
Mass, then, represents the entire “Mass” which attends church every week. It also means “mass” in the sense that we are the “body” of the church (as in, ‘body mass’). Each week, the mass comes to their respective church, and receives the same word that someone halfway across the World is receiving. I appreciate that kind of consistency in a world where charismatic pastors are so often “interpreting the Bible” to their own readings. The Mass readings are ordained, prayed over, and are prepared far in advance under the guiding hand of the Vatican conference who is charged with protecting the original meaning of the Bible.
Location, Location Location: I especially appreciate, as someone who travels often, that I don’t have to hunt down a particular community church to receive my weekly message; I can simply walk into any Catholic church, anywhere in the World, and hear the message of the week. I like that the same word that is being read in mass in Los Angeles, is the same word being read at mass in Barcelona.
Contrary to what you hear in the Media, I found there to be no Secrecy in the Catholic church. During the 18 month timeframe attending my two programs, I was free to ask any questions I saw fit. We discussed the sex abuse scandal currently facing the church, and I even (respectfully) questioned them about Nancy Pelosi’s ability to freely take Communion in the church, while she serves as an aggressive advocate for abortions. All of my questions were answered to my satisfaction, and I was never – ever – frowned upon for expressing the reservations I had about the church.
Then, there’s “The Book.” Ever since I attended Vacation Bible School at six years old, I have read in the Bible that when you become a Christian and a member of the church, your name is to be “written in the book” of the ages. I never knew if this was simply a figure of speech, but since I’m a fairly literal person I kept my eye out for this book over the years. (Okay, I can hear you laughing now.) Naturally, whenever I joined a new Church, I would always ask, almost child-like, “Do I need to register my name in a book somewhere?” It was a question that was usually met with giggles. Fast forward to my Catholic church Initiation, where my name was written in, you guessed it, “the Book.” Once each book gets filled, they are sent to The Vatican for safekeeping and preserved for generations as a record of your declaration of faith. (No wonder they still have records dating back to the original 12 Apostles.) Another chapter closed on this mystery for me. It’s official, I’m in the book. Which reminds me: Jesus, don’t forget to look me up next time you come down.
Lastly, there are the 7 Gifts of the Catholic Faith. Seven honorary “gifts” which are bestowed upon you during your commitment to the Catholic church. Without saying too much, I was stunned to discover they match up squarely with the “7 Gifts” I once pledged – i.e., the promise to live a faithful life, to give my best effort toward a life that is beyond reproach, and to abide by the highest standards of conduct, even in the company of men – words of my bond that I once pledged to my esteemed Pi Beta Phi sorority when I was initiated nearly 20 years ago. It’s as if the gifts I gave as an offering of my life somehow found their way back to me in full stead, 20 years later. Another full circle moment for me.
In closing, and speaking of full circle, this brings me back to where I began: Pope Benedict. A man of conviction and purpose, he has recently been battered over the horrid child sex scandals that continue to plague the Catholic church. Despite what the Media would have you believe, Pope Benedict actually IS the right person for the right job at the right time. And I’ll tell you why. Under Pope John Paul, it was actually Benedict who became so shocked over the number of complaints coming through the door, that it was in fact Benedict who took it upon himself to read the 1,000 personal letters of the victims who had been abused. And it was Benedict who personally met with each and every victim who wished to have a personal meeting with the Church, in order to give voice to their claims. Is that not the right person to address this crisis? Alas, as with so many other scandals in the world (politics, etc.), I firmly believe opponents will continue to attempt to remove him from the leadership of the Catholic church; not because he was involved in the scandal in any way, but because they happen to know he’s a hardliner who disagrees with them on 99% of their other issues. To that end, Pope Benedict has already addressed his critics head-on. And his words once again fill my heart with satisfaction: “I will not back down, I will not be intimidated.”
With everything we’re facing in the World today, that sounds like a good Catholic creed to me.
Peace be with you.
Jennifer,
Thanks for sharing your journal. Being a cradle catholic it is refreshing to hear stories like yours. With all of the abuse stories in the news, it is nice to hear all the positives. What do you think can be done in other parts of the world to heal all the people who were abused by priests in the past? And prevent it from occuring in the future? I would love to hear your comments, you have the passion and the knowledge to guide others it seems. A true leader.
Love ya!
TTF
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Thanks, Mary. Where the Catholic church is concerned, I think it's important for the World to take a step back and realize that we all make mistakes, it is how we deal with them that is what counts.
The first, and most important, thing the Catholic church can do and should do is to acknowledge the abuses and meet with the abused if they so wish. (Benedict has done this and continues to do this.) Victims (whether it is of a car crash, sexual abuse, whatever the case may be) need to hear "I'm sorry I hurt you" from their perpetrators. This alone is often a critical step in validating their experiences and allowing them to move forward to heal their lives. The longer that step is delayed, the longer it will be before the victims are able to continue putting their lives back together.
Beyond that, as a Media specialist, my advice to the Church would be that you must be more clear with the outside Media that the Church is, in fact, addressing the problem, especially the problem that has now been discovered to have spread overseas. IF the church handles this correctly, it can turn a negative into positive, and allow the Church to be an example of what positive things can come after a negative tragedy.
As for the future of the Catholic church... You will be interested to know that this year's Initiation class was the "largest in years" - despite the scandals - which telegraphs to me that the people have grown tired of the perpetual attacks on religious institutions everywhere, and they're taking up arms. As the new generation of truthseekers come into the Church, I think you will see changes (i.e., more transparency, etc.) which will benefit everyone involved in the Church. xo
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Mary:
I trust you have seen the good news of the past 72 hours since this post.
The Pope has 1) made a strong statement that the punishments of the clergy must more closely fit the crime; 2) has agreed to meet with new Victims; and 3) just today, vowed that any young children who come into the Church now WILL be protected. He also, in his Pope Benedict way, got in his own jab, when he stated that is clear "the Church is under attack from the World." All true, and the steps he has laid out will go far in healing those who have been affected, so that they can begin to move on with their lives.
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