Because it's Beautiful

“If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine Floor” — Neil Simon

Joe was born and raised Catholic, the second of six children.  He grew up with a strong relationship with Jesus and a devotion to His Mother Mary.  He met his own Mary, who came from a family that sporadically attended various Protestant churches.  Joe evangelized Mary as he courted her, letting her know from the beginning that his faith was an integral part of his life.  Mary attended RCIA and they married in the Catholic Church and would go on to raise three girls.

Two years ago, Mary was talking to some of her girlfriends and mentioned something about the architecture of the church that she and Joe had attended recently while on vacation.  Her friends were amazed that someone would take time away from vacation to attend church.  Catherine, 48 years old, went home and told her husband, Lawrence, 62 years old, about the conversation.  Lawrence, who had recently been spiritually searching, said “We need to find out what church they go to - they obviously truly believe”.

Catherine had grown up in a Pentecostal family, one of 8 children.  Her family attended church every Sunday.  She was raised in what she describes as a very anti-Catholic atmosphere.  She also was a self-described feminist and was pro-abortion.  Lawrence was an only child and had been raised Baptist. They were both divorced when they married 6 years previously and had not attended church except at Christmas and Easter.

Over the next 6 months, Lawrence or Catherine would ask Mary questions about the Catholic Church, such as “Why do you Catholics worship statues?”  Mary would give her best answer, and then later share it with Joe.  Joe would expound on the topic and provide evidence supporting the Catholic position, and Mary would return to share it with their friends.  Their friends began attending Mass every Sunday - Catherine told Mary she was doing it for Lawrence.  They eventually sat down with the parish priest to explore becoming Catholic.  However, the annulment process seemed too daunting, and they stopped coming to Mass. 

This summer, Lawrence and Catherine vacationed in Rome.  Standing in the Sistine Chapel, they were overcome with emotion as the beauty and sacredness of Michelangelo’s masterpiece washed over them. St Peter’s basilica was even more moving, and it was here, near the altar, that Lawrence reported feeling an overwhelming desire to become Catholic.

Joe and Mary are now the sponsors for Lawrence and Catherine in RCIA.  Their friends’ 18 year old daughter (who did not even know the Lord’s Prayer until RCIA) and her boyfriend, are also in the class.  Catherine is now on fire for her new faith and speaks eagerly of what it will mean to receive the Eucharist for the first time.

The seed of evangelization was planted by Mary speaking openly about one, minor aspect of her faith. The conversion was cultivated by answering many questions and praying to the Holy Spirit. The harvest occurred when the warmth of the Son shown upon Lawrence and Catherine in all of His beauty on a trip to Rome. 

Peter Kreeft is a professor of philosophy at Boston College and the King’s College. In his audio CD “7 Reasons to Be Catholic” (available at the kiosk in the back of Good Shepherd), his seventh reason is “…because it’s beautiful”. He describes how as a boy, he visited St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and thought “This is heaven”. As he was undergoing his conversion to Catholicism from Calvinism, someone suggested that he listen to some of the music of the Catholic composer Palestrina. It was beautiful to him, and again he thought “I absolutely know this music comes from heaven.”

Be aware that we are made in His image and that the body is beautiful. The Church is the body of Christ. Don’t forget to look to the beauty of the Church to help you in your quests to evangelize.

Have a joyous and blessed Christmas.

Oh, and one more thing…

 

What Do the Saints Say?

"Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!"  -St. Augustine

This Week’s Evangelization Challenge

We want to hear from you! If you are a convert or have come home to the Church after a long absence, please write about it or call the parish office be interviewed for a story.