This is the story of how I went from working full-time for a Protestant, evangelical megachurch to being in love with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I was raised in a Protestant home—Christ’s love was made known to me from the earliest years of my life. I grew up happily learning Scripture and often hearing of the Lord’s goodness.
When I went off to college, I began student ministry and then, after graduation, accepted a position at a passionate, evangelical megachurch. During my time on staff there, I was surrounded by Christians who faithfully lived for the Lord and devoted themselves to spreading His love to the world.
Then one day, my life changed forever.
The Search for Truth
My conversion to Catholicism began because I heard one faithful Catholic speak about the Eucharist and the Magisterium—teachings I had never heard of before.
Hearing authentic Catholic teaching for the first time launched me into many hours (years!) of passionate research and ardent prayer. I read books, watched (and engaged in) debates, met with Protestant pastors and Catholic priests. And there were lots of tears in prayer . . . begging the Lord for answers.
In fact, I was still Protestant when I enrolled as a graduate student studying Catholic theology. I was so serious about my search that I figured grad school would either make me a better Protestant or, well, I would swim across the Tiber. The deeper I went in my search for truth, the more captivated I became.
Over time I realized that converting to Catholicism would require my life to drastically change. I would have to give up my career, reputation, and more . . . it felt crushing to think about what was to come. Then, a priest from my time in RCIA recommended I go on a five-day silent retreat.
Into the Silence
While on my silent retreat, I received daily spiritual direction from a Catholic priest. In our time together, he taught me how to do Iganatian-style prayer. We identified just how the Lord speaks to me personally, and we identified how to discern the difference between God’s voice, my voice, and the enemy’s voice in my life.
It was on this silent retreat that I received the utmost confirmation that I am His sheep and I can hear His voice (see John 10:27). All that was unfolding before my eyes—the truth, beauty, and goodness that I was beginning to see in Catholicism—was real. Jesus Himself began to reveal in prayer that the Catholic Church was a gift I could freely choose to receive. It was a gift from Jesus Himself.
Where Else Could I Go?
The Eucharist, Mary, the protection of the Magisterium, the Sacraments, the liturgical calendar, the intercession of angels and Saints from Heaven, sacramentals, some of the best thinkers in human history . . . I began to see that the Church offers a long list of incalculable blessings. Until finally, I said . . . Where else could I go? Truly, this is Your Church, Lord.
G.K. Chesterton has a quote that sums up my journey into Catholicism:
"It is impossible to be just to the Catholic Church. The moment men cease to pull against it they feel a tug toward it. The moment they cease to shout it down they begin to listen to it with pleasure. The moment they try to be fair to it, they begin to be fond of it." (source)
After a long and well-fought battle, I knew in my heart that it was all a gift. My beautiful Protestant upbringing, my rigorous and painful journey of conversion, and the Lord’s plans for my life, were all a gift.
It Keep Getting Better
Since making the best decision of my life to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, I have begun to taste and see the truth of God’s loving faithfulness one hundredfold (see Matthew 19:29)!
Jesus draws, never pushes. He proposes, never imposes. After drawing me into His Church, I can tell you, sister, that becoming Catholic is the best decision I have ever made. And the crazy part? It just keeps getting better.
Dear sister, it is true. Our Catholic faith is true. And I believe that being Catholic is the best thing that could ever happen to you. Thank you for being here, for being a part of our Blessed Is She sisterhood. You belong here, and you belong in His Church too.
THE GREATEST GIFT
In this study on the Eucharist, we explore the truth that Jesus is the answer to your every need.
Join us as we explore John chapter 6 to learn how the reality of the Holy Eucharist applies to our lives.
Discover what a gift He is.
Justine Donahue is a Catholic convert who is captivated by the beauty of the Eucharist and protection of the Magisterium. She is married to her best friend John, and they live in sunny Florida. Justine loves books on Theology, flower dresses, hot vanilla lattes, and being an auntie to her nieces and nephews. She can often be found doing cartwheels and walking on curbs after being a competitive gymnast for many years. Her life mission statement is 'To be an empty vessel used to reveal that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life.' Justine is currently earning her Master's degree in Catholic Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
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