Why Catholic?

There is a scenario, a little drama that has been playing in my head off and on. In it I am asked by an Evangelical friend, “Why did you convert to the Catholic Church?"

In my mind, the question is not put in polite terms. I can see the shocked look on my friend’s face. I can hear the incredulity mixed with shock, even anger.

The person asking me this question varies. Sometimes it is one person, sometimes another. Sometimes it is a man, and other times it is a woman. Sometimes it is a young person, but never an old person, surprisingly. Don’t know why that is.

What do I respond?

I don’t know where to begin. My conversion surprises me maybe even more than the friends in my little mental drama. It even makes me laugh out loud sometimes. You would have to know more about me to know why it surprises me so much and even makes me laugh at myself.

So, why?  I could give the long answer which begins when I was a little girl of 5 or 6 or 7. It was Christmas Day, and I held a Rosary in my hand. I thought about Jesus being born on Christmas and about Jesus dying on the cross.


As I contemplated the life of Jesus, without knowing that was what I was doing, I prayed a simple little prayer. Since you gave Your life for me, I give my life to You.

The prayer is reminiscent of the Eucharist and Romans 12:1,2. 

A prayer of sacrifice to the One who sacrificed all for me.

I didn’t know that was what I was doing.

Why was a Rosary just lying around our house?  My mother was what many Evangelicals call a backslidden Christian. My father was an atheist.

I could continue with my story, step by step, signpost by signpost which pointed me ever towards the Catholic Church.

The friend in my little mental drama would have lost interest and left me in disgust long before I could finish even the first sentence.

So, what do I say?

Do I just smile a Cheshire Cat kind of smile and say nothing?

Yet the question needs an answer. I have answers for myself, long ones. Many answers. More answers all the time.

But I need a soundbite kind of an answer.

This morning I thought of what seems to me to be a good one. Here it is. 

The Catholic Church is a gift. I don’t know why it took me so long to accept the gift. I really don’t know how I could have missed her. She has been there all along. [The Catholic Church is a “she” - the Bride of Christ, our Mother.]

My friend still would not be amused.

Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
[the people rise and reply:]
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.