Navigating Faith

Today, I had a conversation with my parish priest about receiving full communion into the Catholic Church. He asked me to speak to the faith formation office and set up a time to do so, but instead of feeling the peace and joy I thought I’d feel, I found myself wrestling with deep reservations. You see, I’m facing a dilemma that many others in the church may not fully understand. While I have always felt a sense of belonging and the call to move forward in my spiritual journey, I have serious doubts about certain aspects of Catholic doctrine—most notably, the teaching of transubstantiation. For those who may not be familiar with it, transubstantiation is the belief that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transformed into the literal body and blood of Christ. This teaching has been a stumbling block for me, as I’ve always leaned toward the belief in consubstantiation, the idea that Christ is present in the elements of the Eucharist but not that they literally become His body a...

Since September, I’ve been on my own journey through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), and recently, I made the decision not to be confirmed this year. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it feels like the right one. Along the way, I’ve noticed that many people, both those who are considering the process and even some who are currently in it, don’t fully understand what OCIA is meant to be. Some seem to view it as a simple formality—just a way to become Catholic without fully committing to what that faith entails.  If you’re unfamiliar with OCIA or haven’t gone through it yourself, it’s important to understand that the process is about much more than just receiving sacraments or going through the motions. It’s about transformation, discernment, and a deepening relationship with God. And, if done right, it’s a path that calls you to live your faith authentically, not just for a day but for a lifetime. What OCIA Really Is OCIA is the Catholic Church’s process for welcomin...

Faith is a journey, and for me, that journey has been anything but conventional. It has led me across various Christian and even Jewish traditions, each shaping my understanding of God, truth, and the person I am becoming. My journey toward the Catholic Church has been long, but it has been a path filled with discovery, questions, and, above all, a deep desire to understand God's will for my life. My Journey of Faith: A Unique Path I was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, but my spiritual journey took many turns over the years. In college, I attended a Messianic Jewish congregation, and after that, I found myself in Presbyterian and conservative Jewish circles. I even went to seminary and ended up in a Methodist congregation before the denomination split. Throughout all of this, my faith was being shaped, my beliefs were evolving, and God was leading me step by step toward something new. In 2024, I began attending Mass, and my official path toward joining the Catholic Church...

The doctrine of the Eucharist  has been central to Christian worship since the early Church, but the way we understand it today, especially in the context of transubstantiation , has developed over time. For those exploring the history and meaning behind this sacred teaching, it’s important to understand how this doctrine evolved within the Roman Catholic Church and how it differs from early Christian views on the Eucharist. At the core of Catholic belief is the teaching of transubstantiation, which holds that during the celebration of the Mass, the bread and wine are not just symbols but actually become the Body and Blood of Christ, though the appearance (the "accidents") of bread and wine remain. This doctrine was formally defined by the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, though the roots of this belief go much further back. Before the 12th century, the Church had a range of views on what actually happens during the Eucharist. The early Church Fathers, particularly the Ante-Ni...

Today, as I drove to Mass, I found myself in a moment of reflection that led me to a decision I hadn’t expected. I made a U-turn, drove back home, and asked myself, "Why?" Why had I been so quick to turn around and leave, especially when I had planned on attending? It wasn’t a decision made out of laziness or forgetfulness. It was more of an internal, almost instinctive response. To be honest, I don’t think that church should be an obligation. In a world that’s increasingly busy and complex, the idea of church attendance sometimes feels more like a chore than a true, spiritual experience. The pressure to show up every Sunday, to be seen in the pews, can seem empty if it’s not rooted in a personal connection to the faith. I’ve found that I struggle with social interaction, and sometimes, the experience of sitting in a church, surrounded by people, can feel isolating, rather than unifying. When the service turns into what I often refer to as a "social gospel," with se...

For months, I’ve been navigating one of the most difficult spiritual decisions of my life: whether or not to join the Catholic Church. As a Protestant, I’ve always had a deep respect and admiration for the Catholic faith, but there are questions and reservations that have kept me from taking that final step. This journey has been filled with both intellectual and emotional struggle, but it has also been a process of deep reflection and discernment. A Love for the Church, Yet a Hesitation to Commit There is so much about the Catholic Church that speaks to me. I am drawn to the beauty of the liturgy, the rich theological depth, and the vibrant sense of community that exists within the Church. I love the reverence surrounding the Eucharist and the incredible mystery of Christ’s presence in the sacrament. Even more, I find great comfort in the Church’s veneration of Mary and the saints. The thought of a "heavenly cheering section" filled with interceding saints and the Virgin Mar...