May 18, 2025 Essay: Notes from Our New Catholics

Twenty-six adults were received into the Catholic Church at the April 19 Easter Vigil. Here are a few highlights of their journeys to the Catholic faith.

“Have you ever considered becoming Catholic?” asked my dear friend two years ago. Perhaps the seed was planted then, or maybe it was earlier in 2018 when I first visited Rome and felt an inexplicably strong emotional reaction when first entering the Colonnade of Saints at St. Peter’s Basilica, or even earlier still when I met my Catholic partner in the late 1990s. What was clear to me was that the Holy Spirit was trying to awaken me for many years. The OCIA program at St. Ignatius Loyola finally allowed me to open the ear of my heart and begin the formal journey of becoming Catholic, teaching me along the way that my core values align with the Church. I will be ever grateful for this opportunity  – and to our devoted OCIA team! – Mitch Howell

Throughout my life, I have had various interactions with different faiths. My husband is Jewish, and before I met him, I explored Buddhism. However, it was during my struggle with infertility that I developed a deep connection with God. Over a five-year period, I prayed daily for the blessing of a child. After experiencing seven miscarriages, my husband and I were finally blessed with our son on the eighth attempt. Although I believed God’s hand played a part in this miracle, it was the acceptance of my son into Saint Ignatius Loyola Elementary School, which initiated my decision to join the Catholic Church. I felt compelled to live as a devoted servant to God, grateful for the blessings and miracles in my life, and to share my faith with my son as he embarks on his Catholic upbringing. – Jennifer G.

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I was drawn to the Catholic faith for many reasons, but perhaps the most formative was my experience providing tech support for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange during 2020. I had the honor of assisting with Zoom meetings throughout the formation process for more than 100 sisters around the world. Their example moved me deeply and set me firmly on the path to becoming Catholic. – Alex Marcus

At first in OCIA, we met as strangers in a room at the Parish. Then, in these moments of meeting, a flame was awakened within me and we became friends in Jesus. These little moments of being together, like snapshots, were given to me, to carry with me. Jesus had friends. Now I have a community to share and connect with. I love receiving the Eucharist and asking the saints to pray for me. I am letting this flame within guide me. – Xavier Mejia

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The “call of God” manifested itself not as a voice in my head or a mystical vision, but in a continual drive to learn more and improve myself through my relationship with Christ.  As I learned more about Catholicism and the Jesuits, often through the books of Father James Martin, S.J., but more often through the examples of my wonderful wife, I found myself wanting to learn more. I’ve come to understand this continued interest as my call from God. The Jesuit concept of finding God in all things led me to believe you can find God in yourself, too. This belief continually drives me to know myself better, implicitly leading me to getting to know God better.  It is immensely comforting to know that the process of discovering your true self, the self God wants you to be, can be the same process of developing your relationship to God. – Alex Blake

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Raising my child Catholic, studying, and learning with him made me understand that I wanted to be on this journey of growing in faith together with him. My Christian faith was always important to me, but now I had come to the realization that I was ready to embrace the Catholic faith and its teachings, and to become Catholic. Joining the OCIA group was such a blessing. Each meeting was really special, and our catechists were outstanding. I am also grateful for Father Yesalonia’s visits to our group. I am happy that now together with my child we can pray, receive the Eucharist, and be part of the community of Saint Ignatius Loyola. – Anonymous

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Becoming Catholic feels like becoming who I’ve been all along. Both of my parents were from large Catholic families, but we were almost completely removed from the church while I was growing up. Nor did I have any interest throughout many years of adulthood. Catholicism suddenly spoke to me about a year ago, and it was like discovering something that had been present in me, quietly, my whole life. Still, I was surprised and doubtful: isn’t Catholicism restrictive and regressive?  Won’t it be a hassle to have to get to Mass every Sunday? What I have found, instead, is a community bursting with warmth, the depth and richness of Mass, and a sense of inner vitality, inspiration, and ideals. I’m happy to be at St Ignatius Loyola! Anonymous

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My spiritual quest to become Catholic started with my fiancé, who is a St. Ignatius parishioner. It was important for him to raise our future family in the Catholic faith, so naturally it became important to me. I felt called to pursue this process of inquiring into Catholic faith, and it has brought me closer to my fiancé.  Sunday  Mass is a time for us to reconnect with our faith and each other. Thank you to the OCIA team for making me feel at home, in helping me grow in Catholic faith and values, and for their dedication in making this process so life changing.  –  Abbey Roberts