Navigating Faith

This isn't my normal kind of post. It really has nothing to do with OCIA but more with my personal life...I hope it can encourage others.  If there's one thing I've learned over the past few months, it's that job searching is as much a test of faith as it is a test of patience. Recently, I found myself rereading 1 Samuel 1, the story of Hannah, and her unwavering prayer to God for a child. She prayed with such fervor, with a heart wide open, trusting that God would hear her. And as I navigate my own season of uncertainty, her story has resonated with me in ways I never expected. A few weeks ago, I applied for a position at my former company. I’m currently working in retail, and while I thought this job would be a good fit, the reality has been different. The challenges aren’t necessarily with the company itself, but with the specific location where I work. Since December 16, 2024, I have felt both mentally and physically drained. By December 27, I knew it was time to st...

Tonight, during my rosary prayers, a thought struck me so profoundly that I couldn’t help but laugh in awe. I have long believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but suddenly, it all clicked in a way I had never considered before.   We read in Scripture that God was in the burning bush when He spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:2-4). He was in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, guiding the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). These were not just symbols or metaphors—God was truly present in these forms. So, if He could manifest Himself in fire, cloud, and even a bush, why is it so difficult for some to believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist?   For centuries, many have struggled with transubstantiation—the teaching that the bread and wine at Mass become the actual Body and Blood of Christ while retaining the appearance of bread and wine. Some argue that it’s merely symbolic, that Christ’s words at the Last S...

As I continue on my journey of faith, a lot of people have asked me about whether I went to my first confession. The short answer is: I did not. There are multiple reasons for this, but one that stands out is my difficulty with the doctrine of transubstantiation. I just can't seem to reconcile it. I fully believe in Christ's real presence, but I don't see how it all hinges on the specific nature of that presence. Is it consubstantiation versus transubstantiation? What about those who hold a symbolic view, but still acknowledge Christ’s role in the sacrament? For me, my personal belief centers on Christ being present, rather than how that presence manifests in the physical elements. This belief, while meaningful to me, has placed me at odds with certain aspects of Catholic teaching—specifically regarding the Eucharist. The Catholic Church teaches that transubstantiation is essential to understanding Christ's presence in the Eucharist, and my refusal to fully accept this ...

Dear Fathers, I write to you with deep respect and gratitude for the work you do in guiding souls toward Christ and His Church. The journey of faith is a sacred and personal one, and your role as spiritual fathers is invaluable. You pour your hearts into teaching, encouraging, and welcoming those who seek to enter the Catholic Church. For many, the OCIA process leads to the joyous moment of full communion. But for some, after months of discernment, the decision is made to step back. This letter is for those moments—when a catechumen or candidate chooses, for whatever reason, not to enter the Church at this time. Please know that this is not a failure. It is not a failure on your part, nor on the part of the sponsors, the catechists, or the catechumen or candidate themselves. Faith journeys do not always follow a straight path. Sometimes, God calls a person to wait, to wrestle with questions a little longer, or to grow in ways unseen before they take that final step. As priests, you hav...

Tomorrow night, God willing, I will be going to my first confession. It’s a moment I have anticipated for a long time, and yet, there is a mixture of excitement and nerves in my heart. The sacrament of reconciliation is one of the greatest gifts Christ gave to His Church, yet for many of us who come from Protestant backgrounds, the idea of confessing our sins to a priest can feel foreign—perhaps even daunting. As someone who has believed in transubstantiation since childhood, even while attending a Southern Baptist church, I have long been drawn to the deep sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Yet, the journey into full communion is not without its challenges. The OCIA process has tested my patience and expectations, leaving me questioning whether I truly belong. But no matter how much frustration or doubt I may experience, the reality remains: Christ calls us into relationship with Him, and part of that relationship involves seeking His mercy. First confession is not about condemn...

Faith is a journey. It's personal, often complex, and frequently accompanied by moments of doubt and questioning. Recently, I had a significant conversation with my mom about my desire to join the Catholic Church. It's not the first time we've discussed it, but this conversation was different, as it highlighted some of the deeper concerns she has—not only about the Church itself but also about what it means to be a part of a faith community. My mom has always been someone who values personal connection to God, a relationship that transcends rituals or institutionalized religion. Her perspective is simple: she believes that anyone, regardless of their affiliation with a specific church, can have a relationship with God. To her, faith isn’t about rules or labels. It’s about living a life that reflects God’s love. This idea—one that emphasizes the personal over the institutional—has shaped my own understanding of faith. But it also makes me question whether joining a specific ...

Faith is rarely a straightforward path; it’s often a winding road full of questions, doubts, and moments of deep introspection. For many, the journey of faith is not about simple answers, but about navigating the complexities of belief, tradition, and personal conviction. Recently, I experienced a painful but enlightening moment that has made me reflect on what it truly means to belong to a faith community and how to reconcile personal doubts with the expectations of the Church. It all started when I decided to abstain from meat and attend the Stations of the Cross. It was an act of devotion, an attempt to connect more deeply with the tradition and practices of the Catholic Church. However, during a conversation with my priest, things took an unexpected turn. He asked me why I wasn’t ready to be confirmed, and I was honest in my response. I shared that I had serious reservations about the doctrine of transubstantiation, particularly in light of the writings of the early Church Fathers ...

Lent is a season steeped in tradition, reflection, and transformation within the Christian faith. For those journeying through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) — formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — experiencing Lent for the first time can feel both profound and unfamiliar. It is a time when the Church invites its members to enter more deeply into the life of Christ through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But for those new to the faith, this season can be a rich yet sometimes daunting experience. How do you engage in Lent as someone preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church? 1. Understanding Lent: A Time of Transformation At its core, Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter, designed to prepare believers for the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. The 40 days mirror the time Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert, as described in the Gospels. It’s a time for deepening one's relationship with God, reflecti...