From Protestant to Catholic: My Faith Journey (Part 1)

I often get comments like:
“Oh, you’re Catholic? I’m Christian.”
Or, “I suppose some Catholics can be Christian.”

Those conversations have made me realize how much confusion still exists around what the Catholic Church teaches—and around the Catholic faith as a whole. As a former Protestant with a degree in Christian Education and Bible, I understand that confusion well—I was there too. And now, as a Catholic, I’ve also come to see that misunderstandings can exist on both sides, often shaped by how and where we’re formed.

Like many Protestant programs, my studies focused deeply on Scripture and theology—but did not spend much time on early Church history or how the first Christians worshiped as a community of faith.

At some point, I began asking deeper questions: How did the first followers of Christ actually worship? What did Christian faith look like for the earliest believers who learned directly from the apostles? And while attending Mass with an open heart, many other questions arose—about the liturgy, the gestures, the signs and symbols, and the Church’s attention to beauty.

That curiosity led me to earnest prayer and a desire to revisit familiar Scripture passages in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What I discovered surprised me… and drew me. In the end, beyond all the books and research, I can describe my journey simply by saying—

I sensed God leading me home… and so I followed… and my heart is full ❤️.

If you ever want to learn more about what the Catholic Church teaches, I invite you to dive into the Bible prayerfully—and also to explore the Catechism. The Catechism isn’t a collection of opinions; it’s a clear, organized summary of Catholic belief, rooted in Scripture, the teachings of the early Church, and centuries of Christian tradition.

“The Catechism is grounded in God’s Word and filled with truth. This book offers answers to the questions that the faithful—and the non-faithful—might have. It is a work of love, worthy of reading and learning more about….”

“It explains the teachings of the Church, it also tells the story of our Faith. It offers joyful answers to the most gnawing, painful questions burdening man.”

Article by Juliette Wiliamowsky

In this New Year, I’ll be sharing occasional reflections drawn from the Catechism—not to debate or persuade, but simply to explain what the Catholic Church teaches, in a spirit of love, clarity, and charity, as I continue learning and growing. If you’re interested, I’d love to invite you to follow along.

If you’d ever like to explore it for yourself, the Catechism is available free online.

As it beautifully begins:

The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God. —CCC 27

If reading the Catechism feels overwhelming, there’s also a wonderful free podcast, Catechism in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz, which walks through it slowly and thoughtfully—one day at a time.

Peace be with you,