My Conversion Story...

What led me back to a faith I rejected for over 20 years?

This isn't a short story. Go to the kitchen, prepare some popcorn because you will be here a while. Then come back and read it slowly.

Despair. I questioned so many things. Why are there so many contradictory beliefs within the body of Christ? Why is the Church not united? Please Lord, help me! What do I do? Where do I go? Lead me. Call me.

This was my constant prayer for years as I slowly departed from God. Doubt creeped in and it led me to not trust churches anywhere. There couldn’t be one that had the full truth. It just couldn’t happen. As I prayed these questions both audibly and in my heart, my mental health took a horrible turn for the worse. I was suicidal. I mean, I almost took my own life in 2016 and just couldn’t. There had to be a way to God and there had to be ONE true Church. One TRUTH!

However, the road I was being led to was not the one I wanted.

I was born into Catholicism, baptized, received communion and confirmed. I was a part of the Choir (don’t ask me how because everyone knows I can’t sing in tune with anything! haha), I taught Catechism to children and I played many roles in our Church Play “The Passion of Christ” every year. Yet, at 18 years old, I walked out and left that all behind. I didn’t look back. I was sure I wasn’t going back. I had an evangelical boyfriend who wanted me to receive Jesus in my heart or we’d be unequally yoked (which I didn’t even know what it meant at the time) and I also have a few evangelical family members. Since I was a child, they would take me to their church while I was with them. I would participate in children’s services and I loved it! This happened regularly my whole life. So, one beautiful Sunday in May, I was already 18 years old at the time, I visited my aunt’s church for a women's conference. When the pastor asked at the end of his preaching if anyone would like to receive Jesus in their heart and accept him as their Lord and Savior, I lifted my hand and walked up to the altar. It is what I wanted. I thought I found the answer I was looking for.

Fast forward 20 long years later… I went from that evangelical church to a pentecostal then born-again non-denominational and even started my studies with Jehovah’s Witnesses (which didn’t last long). In the end, I almost turned into atheism, but I just couldn’t. I knew God is real. I was always searching. I always felt I had a void. Don’t get me wrong, I am a BIBLE lover! Being protestant brought so many blessings, healing and it taught me to love God’s Word. Something I never did when I was Catholic. I love researching & studying all things Bible. So, I prayed. I just looked for answers which I couldn’t understand and most pastors or teachers would tell me different responses for the SAME text. No one ever answered me with any assurance. All it did was give me more doubt. That’s when I realized that the Church Jesus never wanted many denominations but wanted was ONE UNITED CHURCH! 1 Peter 3:8, Romans 15:6, Ephesians 4:3, Philippians 2:2, Romans 12:4-5, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Colossians 3:14, Romans 14:19, Romans 15:5 but most importantly,1 Corinthians 1:10 which says:

'I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.'

and Acts 4:32 which says

' All the believers were one in heart and mind.'

At that point, I researched the amount of CHRISTIAN denominations around the world today and was flabbergasted at the number... this was not a united church. Divisions were everywhere.

Within Christianity, the count is over 30,000 denominations... Which all started after 1514 with Martin Luther and his “reformation”. So what was the Church before that? Which Church did Jesus actually institute in Matthew 16?

I didn’t like the answer I was getting when I started my research. It was difficult to even think of walking the path I was being led to. My protestant family would be so disappointed. God would be heartbroken if I reverted back to a pagan idol worshipping religion. That is all I could think about. That is what I believed about the Catholic Church. I just couldn’t do it. No. No. No!

Fast forward 20 years and a new journey started… April 2019, I went to visit one of my dearest cousins, Ricardo, his wife Maggie and their kids. We were having conversations about what had happened with me for so many years as I had become distant with my family. What happened with my health and my ex husbands. I married and divorced three times outside of the Catholic Church. It's a shame I had to live with and I just couldn’t keep it to myself anymore. All three of my ex husbands played a role in my mental health as they were all mentally/psychologically abusive towards me. This is my first time publicly writing about this as it is a part of my life and conversion.

Please keep in mind that I am not justifying myself to make anyone else look bad. These are my experiences and things I was made aware of during my therapy sessions. I am not an easy person to handle. I am moody, I was immature and angry all my life. I made mistakes and decisions which still affect me until this day. This is something that is not easy for me to speak of and feel like I should. It's my testimony.

I started dating my first husband at the age of 17. He was 19. Almost a year into our relationship, I got pregnant. The thing is, I wasn't his only girlfriend. He lied to me throughout the relationship and told me they were not together. I was naive enough to believe him. When I got pregnant, he dumped her. Something I thought was over since we started dating. That should've been my first red flag. However, this was the first of many things he did that broke me and made me into the woman I am today. Once my daughter was born, he isolated me from my mom and entire family because he didn’t like them. He used to complain to me about how unsuitable they were for my daughter to see them. See, his rationale was that they weren’t Christian (Evangelical) or a good influence on her. They used profanity too much, yelled and were angry. So, he kept me from them and I was only allowed to see his family. I’d see my family once every few months and couldn’t celebrate holidays with them. He started coming home late most days, and one time didn't show up to our house until almost 1:00 a.m. I couldn't stop crying thinking he was hurt. No calls, no texts. Nothing. He came home as if nothing happened. I didn't question him. He even had lunch with a “coworker” who he said kissed him and he really liked her but wouldn't hurt me again. He said he was with a woman who’s a close family friend and considered part of his family in Puerto Rico (this woman was almost 10 years older and she's the one who took his virginity at a very young age). I knew he cheated on me, which I won’t get into details because of the embarrassing story behind it, but this all happened just a year into our marriage. On my 21st birthday, I found out he had cheated on me just a little over 2 weeks before then. I never recovered from that. We separated and I started seeing someone. Didn't last long but when we decided to give us a try one more time, I ended that and gave him my all. It came to a point where he would even control what I'd wear, couldn't do my makeup or color my hair. He just wouldn’t let me buy anything he didn’t approve of. And last but not least, my entire salary would go to our joint account and I couldn’t withdraw any money without permission. It came to a point where if I needed lunch money for the week, I’d have to ask him and he would give me $10-$20 to last me a week to two weeks or he would get upset if I spent it too fast. I worked in Manhattan where a salad is $8 and a value meal was $7. I had lots of hungry days at work unless a co-worker would offer to take me to lunch. He was cruel and no one has ever known this. I admit that during our marriage, we separated to divorce 4 times in a 7 year period. During those separations, I dated someone on and off. Was it right, no. But in my mind at the time, it wasn’t cheating. Now, I know better and if I could go back in time, I'd change just that. Although he hurt me a lot throughout the years, I know I hurt him too. I came to find out that he told his whole family that he left me because I was cheating non stop. Only thing I can say is, two wrongs never make a right. For my wrongdoings, I am sorry.

My second husband was angry. We had dated for a short time in High School and when my ex husband and I separated, I hooked up with him. Yes, he was a rebound. I forced myself into that relationship and I wish I could say why I did, but I can't. I wasn't in a right state of mind. He was always screaming, cursing at my daughter and I. I’d ask him to not speak to my daughter as he did and he’d just tell me I’m too soft with her. He also would be the same as my first husband with money. This all happened after we got married. He was different before that. He had nudes from a co-worker in his emails, he’d search and looked at pornography excessively, even with me sleeping in bed next to him. Yes, I saw and pretended to sleep. He’d treat me with contempt all day every day and only used me for sex. His family called me antisocial (I’m an introvert) and didn’t like me much. They’d speak ill of me behind my back and he’d tell me without defending me. One day he kicked me out of the apartment after an argument because it was his mother’s house and he wasn’t going anywhere. So, I booked a flight to Florida, found an apartment and moved a month later.

If I am honest, my third marriage is my biggest regret of all. I married a guy 12 years younger. Why? I can’t say. I literally can’t fathom why I made such a decision. He was 21 when we got married and needless to say, never matured as a man. Didn’t want to work, would spend my hard earned money, wouldn’t pay a bill unless he sold one of his games or PC parts, would stay all day on his phone and his video games and wouldn't even let me sleep when I worked 10-12 hours daily in retail. We got evicted, lost a car and he didn’t move a finger. I also took out the garbage, cooked and did laundry because he was always “sick” while at home and I was at work. I was done with the relationship shortly after marrying. He would put me down about my weight and body. Would tell me that sex was gross and even told a mutual friend how grotesque I was and that he wished he'd been with a fit sexy girl. He would constantly wish he had met me when I was young and fit. He didn't touch me in the whole time we were married but would run to pornography to satisfy his needs. Towards the end of our relationship, I told him to go back to Florida with his mom and he refused. He had me as a prisoner and wouldn't let me leave the house. I reunited with an old friend and decided enough was enough. So, I started hanging out with my friend and my daughter often while he stood in bed or playing his games. Of course he didn’t like it so he left one August day and we were divorced 4 months later.

My mental health declined drastically after my last divorce. I was broken, felt unworthy and I knew all I needed and was missing was God. But I didn't know how to approach him. The guilt was killing me on the inside. Little did I know that all throughout my life, I battled with mental illness and I never treated it.

I mentioned some of this to Ricardo and how Luis (my current boyfriend of almost 4 years) wants to marry me. Not only does he want to marry me, but he wants to in the Catholic Church. My mom had mentioned to him that if we marry in the Catholic Church, it had to be FOREVER! There is no divorce. That’s when Ricardo said, “you’ve always been Catholic!” Once a Catholic, always one whether you stay or leave.

WHAT?! No way! That struck me and I didn’t understand what happened that moment. When my cousin got married earlier that week, her wedding stirred something in me. I can’t explain what. I was in love with the ceremony and music. Everything. I was changing. My boyfriend said again that he wanted to get married just like they did and I told him we couldn't because we aren't believers. My mom mentioned something and again, it stirred something inside of me. She said, “remember when you get married in the Catholic Church, there is no divorce. It's until death. It is a very serious sacrament.” To this, my atheist boyfriend replied… “Then I want that!” I went to the bathroom and cried. I always wanted someone to want that with me. I never felt worthy because of my failed marriages and still, he made me feel worth marrying.

I started my search to disprove and refute all Catholic teachings. I was going to prove to myself that the Catholic Church was false, anti Christian and worse of all, pagan in origin and full of idolaters. What I came to learn was far from what I had believed and taught.

First thing I did was google search “Who Founded the Catholic Church?” I was shocked when the answer was JESUS. Straight up Jesus. Ok. So, I wanted to see who founded different denominations worldwide because I was told over and over again that Jesus did not found the Catholic Church. I then found a graph of denominations and their founders. All started in 1517 when Martin Luther left the church to start a reformation. Instead of a reformation of the church, he left the church and started one of his own and many split from there. So my question became, what happened before 1517? What did Christians believe for over 1,000 years? My research went in deeper.

That’s when I came across early Christian writers called The Church Fathers. All of the writings of these writers in the FIRST, SECOND and even THIRD CENTURIES A.D., stated that Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter. Jesus as the owner of the keys was able to hand them over to Peter, to lead His Church on earth once he ascended. In Isaiah 22:20-23 we learn that in ancient Judaism, keys symbolize authority. So bestowing the key to the House of David upon Eliakim as second to only the King, is equivalent to giving him, as the king’s duly appointed representative, authority over the kingdom. Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah, which means, among other things, acknowledging his kingship. Christ then shows his kingly authority by bestowing on Peter something only the king could give–the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And that it is the Church alone, “the pillar and ground of truth”, 1 Timothy 3:15, imbued with and directed by the Holy Spirit, that guarantees to her children through her infallible teaching the full and unadulterated revelation of God. Whether by mouth or by letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

Matthew 16:17-19 'And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are YOU, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell YOU, YOU are Peter [peep the change of his name. Means "rock" in Aramaic. The apostle Simon was called Cephas by Jesus because he was to be the rock upon which the Christian church was to be built. In most versions of the New Testament Cephas is translated into Greek Πετρος (Petros) (in English Peter).], and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give YOU the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever YOU bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever YOU loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” How obvious and clear is that?

I then came across a quote that was written around 110 A.D. by the disciple of John the Apostle. This was written just 77 years after Jesus ascended into heaven. He said, “Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be, even as wheresoever Christ Jesus is, there is the catholic church.” Ignatius of Antioch in his letter to the Smyrnaeans. Ignatius was the third bishop of Antioch and tradition records show that he was a disciple of the apostle John. This is HISTORY not fiction. If you notice, he isn't explaining what Catholic means in that quote. Which states that he knew whoever read the letter, would understand the Church of Christ at that time was already the Catholic Church. Catholic comes from the Greek word Katholikos, which was later Latinized into Catholicus. It means 'Universal', which in itself means, 'of or relating to, or affecting the entire world and ALL peoples therein'. It means, ALL encompassing, comprehensively broad, general, and containing ALL that is necessary. In summation, it means ALL people in ALL places, having ALL that is necessary, and for ALL time. In the text it is written “ekklesia kath holos” in Acts 9:31 which is translated “the Church throughout all. The prepositional phrase “throughout all” (kath oles) appears in Luke 4:14; Luke 23:5; Acts 9:31; Acts 9:42; Acts 10:37. It was after St. Ignatius that the term Catholic Church became used more and more to designate the true church. Undoubtedly the word was in use before the time of this writing. St. Ignatius was the 3rd bishop of Antioch and trained under John The Apostle, thought to be ordained by St. Peter.

Written records of the term "CATHOLIC" describing a character or divine attribute of the Christian Church:

Martyrdom of St. Polycarp (disciple of John the Apostle) 155 AD;

Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 202 AD;

Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 251 AD;

Cyprian, Letter to Florentius, 254 AD

If the Catholic Church was created/started by the Emperor Constantine in the year 325 A.D., as many taught me, then how come this was said IN WRITING, 200 years earlier? How was it that there were already around 30 Popes before Constantine's time? This brought around more questions.

I went and bought a whole lot of books about writings of the early church. One book in particular, The Early Church Fathers, was one of my favorites. I couldn’t believe there were hundreds of books and writings from disciples and bishops who followed the apostles teachings and would pass it down through an apostolic succession. Yes there is physical written evidence and history that leads us straight to Jesus when he founded his Church. These writings were to refute Heresies that would try to confuse newer Christians. I was dumbfounded! My journey back home to the Church was getting closer and closer with the more I educated myself. Boy was I getting answers! It took me 3 months, not including the 6 years of praying and searching for answers, for my return to the church.

However, the battle isn't over yet…

My biggest hurdle was, why do Catholics pray and worship Mary and Saints? Many converts have this same struggle. One thing I have learned is that in order to understand the Bible, we MUST read it within context! This means linking ancient jewish traditions with early christian ones. One simple answer is that the word “Pray” is an Old English word that means simply “to ask.” In Protestant theology, the word has become synonymous with worship, but that is not the original use of the term. Any time a Catholic utters a petition to a saint, it is taken for granted that it is a request for that saint to pray to God for them. For example, the “Hail Mary” contains the request, “pray for us sinners.” If you ask a person to pray for you, it proves that you do not think that he is God. What needs to be stressed here is that none of our prayers terminate in the saints, as if they had the power in and of themselves to answer prayers.The Catholic Church always has taught that a Christian can worship only God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No creature, no matter how good or beautiful–no angel, no saint, not even the Virgin Mary–deserves adoration. The Catholic Church has always believed that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man. It is the death and resurrection of Jesus alone by which people are saved. The Catholic Church condemns polytheism and idolatry alike.

First, God expects us to pray for one another. We see this in both the Old and New Testaments. The reason we pray to the saints is that they are still members of the Body of Christ. Remember, the life which Christ gives is eternal life; therefore, every Christian who has died in Christ is forever a member of the Body of Christ. This is the doctrine which we call the Communion of the Saints. Everyone in Christ, whether living or dead, belongs to the Body of Christ. From this it follows that a saint in heaven may intercede for other people because he still is a member of the Body of Christ. Because of this membership in Christ, under his headship, the intercession of the saints cannot be a rival to Christ’s mediation; it is one with the mediation of Christ, to whom and in whom the saints form one body. Just as we are encouraged to pray for each other here on earth.

Some Christians–most Protestants, in fact–deny that the Bible gives support for devotion to the saints, but they are incorrect. The Bible encourages Christians to approach the saints in heaven, just as they approach God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lord: “But you have approached Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and myriads of angels, and the assembly and church of the firstborn who have been enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and spirits of righteous ones who have been made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood which speaks better than that of Abel” (Hebrews. 12:22-24).This is a beautiful image of how the intercession of the saints works. Because the saints are so close to the fire of God’s love and because they stand immediately before him, they can set our prayers on fire with their love and release the power of our prayers.

When we die, everyone says ‘they’re in a better place”, “they’re with the Lord”, etc. Most protestant christians and Catholics believe that when we die in grace and live a life of repentance, we can go straight to heaven and be with our Lord and Savior. Well, Catholics believe that these people that are near and with God, can pray WITH us and FOR us. We pray directly to God and ask the Saints in heaven to join us. Just like I have asked my family and friends to pray for me and they ask me to pray for them, that is how this works. The only difference is, they can bring that petition directly to God for us IN PERSON. That is all.

Every single time you see pagans in the Old Testament worshipping idols, it involves a SACRIFICE. That is the true meaning of worship. Praise and prayer does not equal worship. That is a relatively new definition created by protestants. This is NOT what the ancient jews and christians believed. Here’s an article explaining Saint “worship” as many call it.

https://www.catholic.com/tract/saint-worship

That was the hardest thing for me to understand. I am still learning.

My biggest breakthrough?

The EUCHARIST!

Remember when I said that worship involves Sacrifice? This is it. Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist! The Eucharistic elements actually become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. This is by far the main reason why I came back and will never leave the Catholic Church ever again. I get to receive my Lord weekly and even daily through Communion? I still am amazed by this. It still blows my mind. Many believe that Jesus’ words on eating his flesh was symbolic. But was it? The Catholic Church has consistently taught the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist from its very beginning. The idea that Communion is a mere symbol of Christ’s death or a simple memorial meal is a sixteenth century theological innovation that was initially rejected even by the original Protestant reformers.But guess what? Even Martin Luther himself believed this and didn't change its significance in the reformation.

So clear was the Church’s understanding of the Eucharist as Jesus’ body and blood that Christians were accused of being cannibals for defending its consumption! By the end of the first century, the Church celebrated every Sunday as a “mini-Easter” and the consecration of the host was understood as accomplished by the bishop alone. Wherever the Eucharist was, the Bishop was, and therefore wherever the Bishop was, the Church was. As the Church grew, this became impractical—so, by the middle of the third century, this duty was being delegated to presbyters (priests). This is seen in the writings of St. Clement of Rome – the third successor of Peter in Rome, who wrote at the same time St. John the apostle was finishing the New Testament.

St. Ignatius Of Antioch—the third bishop of Antioch after St. Peter—had this to say regarding the Eucharist around 107 A.D.:

Consider how contrary to the mind of God are the heterodox in regard to the grace of God which has come to us. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not admit that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, the flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His graciousness, raised from the dead.” Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 6

In the second and third centuries, eucharistic doctrine was upheld in the writings of saints like Justin Martyr:

“We do not receive these things as common bread or common drink; but as Jesus Christ our Savior” – First Apology, 66

Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons, and Father of the Church said:

“The Word of God becomes the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ” – Against Heresies, 5.2.

This body of teachings only grew as the Church expanded in later centuries.

I know. I know. You want Biblical evidence. Here it goes for all my Sola Scriptura protestants. Keep in mind that ‘Bible Alone’ isn’t in the Bible. There is the written Scriptures and Traditions passed down by word of mouth. 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Peter warns that “no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation” 2 Peter 1:21 and says of Paul’s writings that “there are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures” 2 Peter 3:16. This is why so over 30,000 denominations have emerged since Luther’s reformation, because of man’s own interpretation.

Everyone thinks they have the truth. All because of individual interpretation. Think about that.

But, here you go anyway...

When Jesus spoke parables, he’d let us know. When he spoke literally, he always used the words “truly, truly I say to you…” Examples? Here y'all go.

John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”

John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

John 16:20 "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”

John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

John 1:51 And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”

John 6:32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.”

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”

John 8:51 "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death."

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am."

John 10:1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.”

John 10:7 So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”

John 13:16 "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.’

John 13:20 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."

John 16:23 "In that day you will not question Me about anything Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.”

So with that in mind…

John 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.”

If what Jesus was saying here was symbolic then why did so many of his followers leave him when he taught them this teaching? Why didn't he clarify but instead kept with the hard teaching?

Let's look at the above chapter (6) starting from verse 47 and on:

'Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. [not speaking about his own flesh but human flesh] The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.'

Now let's read what happens in The Last Supper:

Matthew 26:26-30 "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

It was then clear to me. The one church that teaches and follows this teaching by Jesus, is none other than the Catholic Church. I had no doubt. Where else could I go, that would feed me the Bread of Life? I want to be where He was and is. The Church he left in Peter’s hands to lead His people on earth. My stubbornness and pride were shattered.

I am still learning. Still studying. Still praying. But one thing I know is, God has led me to HIS church. I trust it because he said

Matthew 16:18-19 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

If Jesus built His church, and since the beginning it's been called Catholic then... that settles it. I believe it. Read the evidence. Study it and see for yourself. Early Christian writings are CATHOLIC.

There's nowhere else I’d rather be. So my difficult journey has been the best one yet. I cannot wait until I start my Theology BA soon and learn even more. I am in love with the Holy Trinity, with Mary, Saints and my amazing Holy Apostolic Catholic Church.

Glendaliz Gonzalez

Cradle Catholic since July 3, 1983

Revert since July 12, 2019