After being raised without any religion, experiencing a profound spiritual awakening in my living room and later being confirmed Catholic, I often get asked “Why Catholic?” The answer is both simple and complex, but the simple answer is: God led me here.
Upon my spiritual awakening, I wasn’t at all versed in denominational differences. At that point, I only knew that Jesus Christ was Lord and that I needed him. I had been working on television for many years as a reporter and, in hindsight, was unprepared for how God was about to use my training as a journalist to begin the quest for truth — to begin asking tougher questions that really mattered. This “quest” led me first to the holy Bible, which I read cover to cover (yes, in chronological order!), then to the front doors of many different churches, and ultimately to an academic deep dive of sacred theology.
When I first told my news director (as well as friends and family) that I’d be stepping away from television in order to “work for God,” I was not-so-surprisingly told I was crazy. But deep in my heart, by the grace of God, not yet understanding the magnitude of the salvific mission, I knew he was up to something great. Immediately upon moving back to the Midwest from the East Coast, I began academically studying the Bible at a Protestant university. It was here I began asking more historic questions about our Christian faith — What happened before the Reformation? What were our earliest Christian relatives practicing? What was the first Church? After much research and prayer, I found myself standing at the beautiful front doors of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul — a breathtaking and mystifying slice of heaven on earth. Standing on the grounds of one of the most historic and enchanting Churches in the country, there was no denying in that moment what God had done. I was Catholic — and it was God who led me here.
As I now wrap up my Master of Sacred Theology degree and prep for a doctorate, I am often moved to tears of gratitude for what God has done in my life. I thank him for leading me out of the darkness and into the brightness of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church — the Church instituted by Christ himself. I thank him for the grace to participate in her life-transformative sacraments and liturgical practices. In my view, it is next to impossible to walk into a cathedral, or any Catholic church for that matter, and not be completely awestruck by her wonder — steeped in the richest of history and tradition, adorned with breathtaking beauty and artwork, overcome by the sweetest and most powerful aroma of incense that permeates the soul.
Since becoming Catholic and actively participating in the liturgical life of the Church, everything in my life has changed for the better. A gentle reminder of just how blessed we are to be a part of this Church body, passed on through the apostles of Christ and strengthened by our earliest ancestors; a spiritual body that allows us to experience the fullness of our faith and most intimate relationship with our loving Creator. While I may not have been given the gift of faith growing up, I am profoundly grateful for the Damascus-like conversion I experienced. It was on these grounds after all that I went from being lost to being found; from wandering soul to participant in the Final Supper. So, while there are countless reasons why I am Catholic, I relish most in the fact that it was God himself who led me here.
“The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32)
A member of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Johnson, 42, is the director of Church Mission at St. Joseph of the Lakes in Lino Lakes. She has two teenage daughters.
“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to CatholicSpirit@archspm.org with “Why I am Catholic” in the subject line.
