A recent report by Hallow indicates that college students in the United States are showing greater interest in the Catholic Church, with enrollment in RCIA/OCIA classes up from last year.
Young people who are on the path to converting face immense challenges as they navigate perhaps the most confusing period in Church history. To that end, I have written an open letter to these new initiates with advice that I wish someone had given me years ago.
Dear new convert,
I am writing this letter to welcome you to the Catholic Church and, as a convert myself, to offer some insight into life on the other side — because not everything is as it may seem.
To start, you should give thanks to God that you had the wisdom and discernment to respond to the graces bestowed upon you and awaken from the delusion that is the modern world — whether in the form of indifference to God’s existence, or a false, heretical expression of His existence such as Protestantism. This is no small feat. In fact, given the state of the world, I would argue that it is a miracle. And each of you is a testament to the miraculous wonders God can work, as there is no rational reason why you have thrown away a life of comfort and ease for the penitential one you will now embark upon.
The Dispatch
I’m not sure where this number comes from, but it has been repeated so often that I suppose it must be good advice: wait about a half decade before doing anything else other than soaking in and exploring the Faith. Why five years? Again, I’m not really sure, but perhaps it is partly because the Church is so rich in spiritual treasures and hidden gems that it really does take that long to get your footing. So, before you begin a podcast, a Catholic TikTok account (please don’t), or even writing for Integrity Magazine, I suggest trying some of the following first:
- Read papal encyclicals published prior to Vatican II. These older documents are treasures of the Church and contain much that you probably won’t be taught in your classes. These can be found in this book or on this website, which organizes them according to the popes who authored them. I’d especially recommend Quanta Cura by Pope Pius IX and Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII.
- Try learning the Hail Mary or Our Father in Latin.
- Explore local shrines if any are available in your area.
- Try out some traditional observances such as Rogation Days and Ember Days. Learn more about those here and here.
- Read the Catechism of the Council of Trent, or the Council of Trent itself for that matter.
- Attend a Traditional Latin Mass.
- Learn about Pope St. Pius V and his bull Quo Primum.
- Attend traditional vespers.
During this period, you will likely hear the name of an event that took place in the 1960s — the Second Vatican Council. Exercise extreme caution on this topic. Laity and clergy have spent nearly sixty years debating what exactly this Council was and no clear consensus seems to have emerged. Yes, individuals and groups have drawn hard conclusions about it, but the fact remains that the fierce disagreements Catholics have about Vatican II indicate that it is, at minimum, very confusing and even dangerous.
Now, do not feel you need to come to an immediate conclusion. Ask questions, take time to contemplate the various answers and different positions. Do not trust those who refuse to answer your questions or tell you to stop asking them or to just “trust” the authorities without reasons or explanations. A true religion has answers and will explain things to you. Do not feel ashamed if you have questions, even many of them.
Lastly, do not be discouraged by the confusion and even disillusionment you may experience after learning about the chaos, divisions, and sorry state of the Church at the present moment. A crisis in the latter half of the 20th Century was predicted by Our Lady in the 17th Century; you were born into this time period for a reason.
Christ’s Church is under attack like never before. But you, the reinforcements, have arrived. What you do with this chance is up to you and you alone. Make good use of your time here. And welcome once again. May God bless you.
