On Christmas Eve in the year of our Lord two thousand, I came into full Communion with the Catholic Church.

As a Confirmed Catholic I became a member of the Church that I had long sought and yearned for, that which Christ instituted. The Tradition and history of the Church is rich with God’s love and passion for His people. Within two years I had come to know Christ, found His Church, met and married my wife and soul mate, and become a father. 

Christ used this time to transform my life into one of service to Him. I do not say this pride fully, but humbly and thankful. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the prayers of my now wife to Our Lady, I am a changed man. I could end this conversion story here and no one would be the wiser, but you would not know the whole story, the miracle that occured, the passion with which Christ entered my life which carries me to this day.

In 1996 I graduated high school and went off to college. In high school I was on the track and the soccer team, had many friends, and was a binge drinker and drug abuser. Through these escapes I sought fulfillment. I sought to fill myself with the “feeling” of being drunk, or high, or with a girl. But none of these were filling enough. The high always ended. The buzz always subsided.  The girl went home. And reality returned. 

For three years of college I continued on this path of drinking, drugs, and womanizing. Each of these was my life, I became them. Each of these consumed me.  Each of these was who I was.

In my junior year of college on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving break, I become sick. I became so sick that I could not eat, sleep, and it was hard standing and walking. I made my way to the campus health center and was examined by a nurse whom immediately sent me to the local hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, the place where I was born. 

In the hospital I was put on an IV and tested for various illnesses. As I was very dehydrated from not eating or drinking, I would slip in and out of consciousness. Yet my entire stay in the hospital was met with a calmness encouraged by a friends hand on my forehead. Though no words were spoken, having him with me was nice. We had not known each other long, only met through friends, yet he was a nice guy and helped me out. Who is this friend? After asking the nurse who was in the room to which she responded, “no one”, I myself did not know his identity.

Only through prayer and an awakening to the Holy Spirit have I come to believe His name is Jesus.

It is Christ himself that accompanied me through this experience. And all of the experiences before. It is He who protected me, sat with me when I was lonely, protected me while driving drunk so many times, saved me from certain death a couple times, and kept me from digging the knife in my wrist that I held only months before. 

In the same hospital in which I was born, I experienced a rebirth to the presence of God in my life. 

I cannot put into words the affect of this experience. I cannot tell you it will happen to you. I cannot even provide a glimpse to the Glory I now know because of His relentless pursuit of my heart. But I can tell you this.

These types of miracles occur everyday.  The greatest gift from God the Holy Spirit is the gift of faith.  I received that gift on that day in a great and meaningful way that I will carry with me forever. This gift of faith is recieved again each day since. 

My conversion has not stopped.  I was a sinner and am a sinner.  Though I have moved past addictions of drugs, alcohol and sex; I still need more of Christ.  I still need more of His Sanctifying Grace in my life.  I still fall short of the Glory of God in many ways as we all do.  But, I now know where to turn for further conversion and to ask for miracles in my life. 

Whether a cradle Catholic, revert, or convert, we all are called to Metanoia, a continual conversion to Christ.  We must continue to seek Him in our lives.  I pray that you continue your conversion. 

Mary, our spiritual Mother, we ask your intercession for our purity and faith. 

Our Lord Jesus, the God of the Universe.  You came as a man to redeem mankind, fill us with your Love and Grace that we may live according to Your Word. 

May God bless you on your journey with Him and may you find peace in knowing the one Truth in Jesus Christ.