on t he way
Becoming Catholic
I
F ro m t h e Bi s h o p Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. is the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
am fascinated by the stories of those who seek to enter the Catholic Church. The stories are as unique as the individuals themselves. Some stories share a common thread, others are out of the ordinary, but each, in its own way, is quite remarkable. And while we see reports and hear stories of those
who have stopped living out their Catholic faith, or even abandoned it entirely, it is important to take note of the many each year who are led into the Catholic Church. They may not realize it, but they have much to teach us by their witness.
can remember can sometimes take for granted or overlook As a bishop, I like to be somewhat forward upon meetthe beauty of our faith and how blessed one is by it. Then ing someone becoming Catholic and ask, “What led you into the Catholic Church?” Most often, there was someone there is the effect of scandal. The sins and weaknesses of the else involved who helped. Often it is a spouse or a fiancé. Church’s members can obscure the Church and discourage The beauty of married love often opens the path to anothus at times. The witness of those coming into the fullness of the faith can inspire us to see things through new eyes. In er relationship, that with God. Sometimes, as is the case a way, new Catholics become the ones who accompany us! with college students, it is a roommate or a group of good Across our diocese and around the world, Lent marks a friends who do the same. In the past year, I have met families who were becoming Catholic because they fell in love time for the final preparation for many who are preparing to through the children’s experience in a receive the sacraments for the first time. Catholic school. And every so often, it Those who are not baptized, known as catechumens, look forward to receiving is a “friend” who gives witness through “The witness of those the new life of grace with baptism and another form, such as a book, which coming into the fullresonates in the heart of a reader. For then the fullness of Christian initiation example, I recall having met several peoin the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit ness of the Faith can ple over the years who were impacted by with confirmation and the Lord’s Body inspire us to see things and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. CateThomas Merton’s well-known spiritual autobiography The Seven Storey Mounchumens typically are initiated as Christhrough new eyes. In tain. Many others like Merton continue tians and enter the Catholic Church at a way, new Catholics the Easter Vigil. Other Christians who to accompany others even though they have already been baptized, known as may have gone home to God long ago. become the ones who In the same vein, the lives of the saints candidates, also often enter the full comaccompany us!” also continue to inspire. munion of the Catholic Church at the But along with these key friendships, Easter Vigil or during the Easter season, new Catholics often speak about specific although it is often fitting for them to do so at other times during the liturgical year. Candidates reasons which emerge from their journey. Why did you receive the sacraments of confirmation and Holy Eucharist become Catholic? “To be saved and go to heaven.” “To live following a formal profession of faith and reception into the a new life with and in Christ.” “To have my sins forgiven.” full communion of the Church. “Because it is true.” “To receive Christ in the Eucharist.” These are some of the profound reasons I have heard — As these new Catholics join us, let us thank God for them and continue to hear — from those who have traveled the and for His goodness to them. Let us continue to pray for remarkable spiritual road into the Catholic Church. them, welcome them, and be inspired by their witness to Catholics who have been Catholic for as long as they Christ, who is Lord!
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Catholic Key • February/March 2022 • catholickey.org
