Embracing My Catholic Faith: A Journey Back Home

Last week, I wrote about finding true healing through Jesus, and today I feel called to share another part of my journey—my return to the Catholic Church. It’s something deeply personal, something I never thought I would do after years of walking away. But God has a way of calling us back, even when we don’t realize it’s happening.

I was baptized Catholic, confirmed, and received communion as a teenager, but my family never went to Mass regularly. We were what you’d call "holiday Catholics," attending on Christmas and Easter, but never really diving into the faith. In my early twenties, I stopped going to church altogether. I believed in God, but the Catholic Church felt distant, and frankly, I didn’t understand much about it.

So, when I left the Church, I didn’t feel like I was losing anything. I didn’t understand much about the faith beyond the surface. As I got older, I started attending a non-denominational Protestant church. I loved it and stayed there for many years. It was a season of growth for me, but something was missing, something I didn’t even realize at the time.

It wasn’t until about five years ago when I started a new job that my whole perspective began to shift. I met Monica, someone who would become one of my closest friends. She also happened to be Catholic, and we often found ourselves talking about faith. At first, I didn’t want to hear it. I was stubborn and resistant, thinking that I already knew all I needed to know. I had been told for years by people outside the Catholic Church that Catholics worship saints, that baptizing babies was wrong, and that they idolized Mary and went against the Bible. These were things I had heard repeatedly, and I believed them without questioning. 

But the more I talked with Monica, the more I felt a tug in my heart—a call to dive deeper, to research for myself, to truly learn about the Catholic Church instead of relying on what I’d been told by others. And so, I began to do my own research, read, and learn for myself. And what I found changed everything. 

Here are some of the things I learned along the way: 

The Truth About Worshiping Saints:

One of the most common misconceptions I had heard was that Catholics "worship" saints. This is simply not true. What I learned is that Catholics venerate saints, which is very different from worship. Veneration means we honor the saints for their exemplary lives of holiness and their closeness to God. We don’t worship them—we worship God alone. We ask saints to pray for us in the same way we might ask a close friend or family member to pray for us. It’s a beautiful way of recognizing that the body of Christ extends beyond this world into the next.

The Truth About Baptizing Babies:

I had also been told that baptizing babies was wrong because babies "can’t choose God for themselves." What I didn’t realize was that infant baptism is rooted in Scripture and the long tradition of the early Church. In the Bible, whole households were baptized together, including children (Acts 16:15, 33). Baptism removes original sin and welcomes the person into God’s family. As Catholics, we believe that parents make a choice for their children in faith, just as they make choices to care for their physical and emotional needs. Later, as they grow, children have the opportunity to confirm that faith for themselves through Confirmation, just as I did as a teen. 

The Truth About Mary:

Another major sticking point for me was the idea that Catholics "idolize" Mary, the mother of Jesus. In Protestant circles, I often heard people say that Catholics give Mary too much attention or that praying to Mary was somehow taking away from Jesus. But what I’ve learned is that Mary’s role in Catholicism is not about idolizing her, but about honoring her as the mother of our Savior. We see her as the ultimate example of saying "yes" to God’s will. When we ask for Mary’s intercession, we are simply asking her to pray for us, just like we ask any other Christian to pray for us. She always points us to her Son, never away from Him. 

The Truth About Communion and Transubstantiation:

One of the things that made returning to the Catholic Church so emotional for me was what I learned about the Eucharist. As a Protestant, I didn’t fully grasp what Catholics believe happens during Communion. We believe in transubstantiation, which means that the bread and wine become the actual Body and Blood of Christ. This is something I had never heard of before returning to Catholicism, and once I understood it, Communion in the Protestant church no longer felt the same. I was drawn back to the Eucharist, where I could receive Christ Himself in the most intimate way. 

Through my research and prayers, I kept feeling a strong pull back to the Catholic Church, even though it wasn’t easy. I was still attending my non-denominational church at the time, but every Sunday, something felt off. I would listen to the sermons, but it didn’t feel the same. I would sit in service and feel this longing for something deeper. Meanwhile, when I watched Catholic services online, I would be brought to tears—something inside me was stirring.

That’s when I started binging Catholic content on YouTube. I watched Father Mike Schmitz, Trent Horn, Matt Fradd, and Scott Hahn. I read articles, listened to podcasts, and started learning about the richness and depth of the Catholic faith. The more I learned, the more my heart longed for God in ways I had never experienced before. I was falling in love with Him all over again.

After months of studying, I finally decided to join Father Mike’s "Catechism in a Year" series. It was overwhelming at first—so much to learn and understand—but I was captivated. God was drawing me deeper into His Church, and my heart was filled with joy. 

Now, almost two years after fully returning to the Catholic Church, my heart is at home. It’s been a journey of discovery, healing, and growth, and I know there is still so much more to learn. But I can honestly say that I have found my way back to where I belong. The Catholic Church, the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the beauty of the sacraments—all of it has deepened my faith and brought me closer to God in ways I never expected.

For those who are feeling unsure, who may have left the Church or have been away for a while, my encouragement is this: don’t be afraid to seek, ask questions, and learn for yourself. God has a way of drawing us back, even when we don’t realize it. Sometimes it’s through a friend like Monica, sometimes through a quiet nudge in our hearts, but God always finds a way to lead us back home.

Coming home to the Catholic Church has been the most beautiful part of my spiritual journey, and I am forever grateful for the grace that led me here. I know now that I don’t have to have it all figured out because God is always working in me and through me, leading me closer to His heart.

Father, I thank You for the journey You’ve brought me on, for the questions, doubts, and challenges that have ultimately led me closer to You. I pray that You continue to open my heart and guide me in the truth of Your Church. For those who are searching, Lord, I ask that You gently lead them to Your love and light. Help us all to embrace the fullness of Your grace and the richness of Your presence in the sacraments.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.