Why Do People Convert to Catholicism? The Most Common Reasons (and Misconceptions)

Every year, thousands of people make the journey into the Catholic Church. Some come from other Christian denominations, others from entirely secular or non-religious backgrounds. But why? What draws people to Catholicism in an age when many are leaving organized religion?

Let’s explore the most common reasons why people convert to Catholicism—including my own family's journey—and dispel some of the biggest misconceptions along the way.

1. The Search for Truth

Many converts describe Catholicism as the answer to their search for objective truth. For me, my experience in Protestantism felt like a starving person reaching out for something they deeply needed—only to be fed wax fruit. My soul knew there was something more real out there. In a world of shifting beliefs and relativism, the Church’s consistent teachings provide an anchor.

• What draws them? The depth of Church history, Apostolic Succession, and a faith that has remained doctrinally intact for over 2,000 years.
• Misconception: Some think Catholic teachings are arbitrary “rules.” In reality, Catholic doctrine is built on logic, history, and biblical foundations.

2. The Eucharist: Christ’s Real Presence

For many, the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is the defining reason for conversion. For me, this was the most compelling reason—if the Eucharist is truly Christ’s gift of Himself to us, then participating in it is the most important thing in life.

• What draws them? The idea that Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist, just as He promised in John 6.
• Misconception: Some assume Catholics “re-sacrifice” Jesus at every Mass. In truth, the Mass is a re-presentation of the one sacrifice of Christ, not a new one.

3. The Authority of the Church and the Witness of Early Church Fathers

Many converts find that Protestantism’s wide range of interpretations left them feeling lost. They seek a Church with authority to teach truth—not just personal opinions on Scripture. For my husband, the witness of the disciples of the disciples was deeply compelling. As he studied the writings of the Early Church Fathers, he realized that the Catholic Church had the strongest claim to authority.

• What draws them? The Church’s claim to be the original Church founded by Christ, with authority given to Peter and the Apostles.
• Misconception: Some think Catholic doctrine is based on human inventions rather than biblical truth. In reality, Catholic teachings are deeply rooted in Scripture and Tradition.

4. The Beauty of Catholic Worship

We initially thought this would be a problem for us. All the liturgy and tradition seemed like "the traditions of men." As we experienced it, it came to life for us—not a puffed-up set of gatekeeping rituals, but rather a rich reminder of the most important aspects of our faith that we can participate in every day if we choose to.

• What draws them? The reverence of the Mass, the beauty of Gregorian chant, the depth of traditional devotions.
• Misconception: Some believe Catholic worship is “too rigid” or lacking in personal expression. In truth, the liturgy provides a deeply meaningful, communal form of worship centered on Christ.

5. The Communion of Saints

This was the hardest part of conversion for us. We had received so much teaching that this was somehow evil. We were so intent on avoiding "worshiping" Saints, Mary, and Angels. When we found out the realities of what Catholics really do, we found this to be a help to us, not a stumbling block. Many converts are drawn to the Catholic understanding of the Communion of Saints—the idea that the faithful on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven are spiritually connected.

• What draws them? The ability to ask saints for intercession, knowing they are alive in Christ.
• Misconception: Some think Catholics “worship” saints. The truth is that Catholics honor saints and ask for their prayers, just as we ask friends and family to pray for us.

6. A Deeper Understanding of Suffering

Many who have faced suffering find meaning in the Catholic teaching of redemptive suffering—uniting one’s struggles with Christ’s. As a chronic illness sufferer, this was compelling for me. My pain wasn't wasted. I could use it to help others.

• What draws them? The idea that suffering, when offered to God, has deep spiritual value.
• Misconception: Some think Catholics “glorify” suffering. In reality, Catholic teaching emphasizes offering pain to God, not seeking it out unnecessarily.

7. The Call to Holiness

Catholicism offers a clear roadmap for growing in holiness through the sacraments, prayer, and virtue. My husband really resonated with this. He was seeing so much political drift in the churches we attended. People were forsaking the clear moral teachings of the Bible to follow their political parties on both sides of the aisle.

• What draws them? The sacramental life, confession, and the wisdom of saints as models of holiness.
• Misconception: Some assume Catholicism is just about following rules. In truth, it’s about growing in love for God and neighbor.

Final Thoughts: Conversion is a Calling

People don’t convert to Catholicism lightly—it’s often a journey of intense study, prayer, and personal transformation. While each person’s path is unique, the reasons above are some of the most common motivations for entering the Church.

If you’re considering conversion, take your time, ask questions, and let God lead the way. He calls each of us in His perfect timing.

Understanding Jesus’ Cry on the Cross: “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

As Jesus hung on the cross, he uttered a profound expression of anguish: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). This poignant cry has been the subject of extensive theological reflection, as it encapsulates the depth of Jesus' suffering and its significance in the context of Scripture.

Connection to Psalm 22

Jesus' words directly echo the opening of Psalm 22:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)

By invoking this psalm, Jesus aligns his personal agony with the lamentation and subsequent hope found within it. Psalm 22 begins with a profound sense of abandonment but transitions into a declaration of trust and deliverance, reflecting a journey from despair to faith.

Expressions of Human Suffering

Jesus' exclamation signifies his profound experience of human suffering and a sense of separation from God. This moment underscores the depth of his incarnation, illustrating that he fully embraced the human condition, including feelings of abandonment and distress. This perspective emphasizes that Jesus, in his humanity, experienced the depths of human anguish (Catholic.com).

Theological Interpretations

Some theologians interpret this cry as a profound expression of Jesus bearing the weight of humanity's sins, experiencing the desolation that sin causes in one's relationship with God. This perspective highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus' crucifixion, emphasizing that he endured the ultimate consequence of sin—separation from God—to reconcile humanity to the Father (Catholic.com).

Affirmation of Prophetic Fulfillment

By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus not only expresses his anguish but also points to the fulfillment of prophetic scripture. The psalm details sufferings that mirror Jesus' crucifixion, such as being mocked and having his hands and feet pierced. This connection underscores that Jesus' suffering was in accordance with divine prophecy, reinforcing his messianic identity.

Pope Benedict XVI's Reflection

Pope Benedict XVI reflected on this passage, noting that Jesus' cry from the cross is an appeal to a seemingly distant God. He emphasized that this expression of abandonment is deeply connected to the human experience of feeling forsaken, yet it is also an act of profound trust in God's ultimate plan (Vatican.va).

Conclusion

Jesus' cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” encapsulates the profound mystery of the crucifixion. It reflects his deep identification with human suffering, the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures, and the profound theological implications of his sacrificial death. This moment invites believers to contemplate the depth of Jesus' love and the mystery of redemption accomplished through his suffering.

Is It Wrong to Question God? What Scripture Says About Doubt

Experiencing doubt and questioning one's faith are common aspects of the human spiritual journey. Throughout the Bible, several figures express their uncertainties and seek understanding from God. These narratives offer insight into how questioning can coexist with faith.

Biblical Instances of Questioning God

• Job’s Lament: Job, a righteous man who faced immense suffering, openly questioned God’s justice and reasons for his afflictions. In Job 10:3, he asks, “Is it good for You that You should oppress, that You should despise the work of Your hands and smile on the counsel of the wicked?” Despite his profound anguish and questioning, Job’s story concludes with a deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty and his own limitations (Job 42:1-6).

• Habakkuk’s Inquiry: The prophet Habakkuk challenged God’s plan to use the Babylonians to punish Judah, struggling to reconcile this with God’s nature. In Habakkuk 1:13, he expresses, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?” This dialogue illustrates that seeking clarity from God is a part of faith (Habakkuk 2:1-4).

• Thomas the Apostle’s Doubt: After the resurrection, Thomas refused to believe until he saw Christ’s wounds himself. In John 20:25, he says, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Instead of condemning Thomas, Jesus invites him to touch His wounds, affirming that faith can grow through honest questioning (John 20:27-29).

Catholic Teachings on Doubt

The Catholic Church acknowledges that doubt can be a natural part of faith development. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2088-2089) distinguishes between:

• Involuntary Doubt – Hesitation in believing or difficulty in overcoming objections related to the faith. This can lead to spiritual growth when explored with sincerity.
• Voluntary Doubt – Willfully disregarding or rejecting what God has revealed and what the Church teaches. This can lead one away from faith.

Rather than rejecting those who doubt, the Church encourages engagement with Scripture, prayer, and theological study to seek clarity (CCC 158).

Embracing Questions as a Path to Deeper Faith

Questioning, when approached with humility and a genuine desire for understanding, can lead to a more profound and resilient faith. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding:

• James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
• Mark 9:24 – The father of a possessed boy cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” showing that doubt and faith can coexist.
• Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Engaging with doubts through prayer, study, and community discussion can strengthen one’s relationship with God.

Conclusion

Questioning God is not inherently wrong; it reflects a dynamic and seeking faith. Scriptural examples and Catholic teachings suggest that doubt, when navigated thoughtfully, can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of one's beliefs. Embracing questions as part of the faith journey allows individuals to develop a more authentic and robust relationship with the divine.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Radical Love in Everyday Holiness

 

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, better known to the world as Mother Teresa, had no desire to be famous. Her mission wasn’t to build an empire of charity or to have her face printed on prayer cards. All she ever wanted was to love Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor — and to do it with her whole heart.

In our modern world, where holiness can feel distant and complicated, Teresa of Calcutta offers something radically simple: love the person in front of you. She taught — and lived — the truth that holiness isn’t about doing grand things, but about filling small acts with great love.

Love Begins at Home

One of Mother Teresa’s most famous reminders is that charity starts closest to you. Before we worry about solving global poverty, we’re called to love the people we live with, even when they’re difficult, even when they frustrate us, even when they fail to love us back. For her, the greatest tragedy wasn’t hunger or poverty — it was feeling unwanted.

"If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." — Saint Teresa of Calcutta

This message resonates deeply during Lent, a season when we’re invited to examine our hearts and how well we love. Our sacrifices mean nothing if they don’t make us more patient, more generous, more compassionate right where we are.

Loving the Poor Without Excuse

Teresa of Calcutta didn’t spend her life debating who deserved help or what made someone worthy of care. She believed every person had infinite dignity because every person bore the image of God. Her love was unconditional, practical, and fearless.

She taught her sisters — and the world — that no act of love is too small when it’s given freely. Holding a dying hand, offering a smile, feeding someone who had been ignored for days — these were her miracles.

A Saint for Ordinary Life

Walking Through Darkness: Teresa’s Long Night of the Soul

For much of her life, Saint Teresa of Calcutta experienced what spiritual writers call the dark night of the soul — a prolonged period where God felt painfully absent. Even as she cared for the poorest of the poor, she carried a private cross of profound interior dryness, feeling as though her prayers went unheard.

But Teresa didn’t run from this darkness. Instead, she made a radical choice to love God through trust, offering her emptiness as another gift. She believed that her spiritual darkness allowed her to understand the deep loneliness of those she served — those abandoned, rejected, and left to die alone.

Her dark night didn’t make her less holy — if anything, it made her a saint for all of us who struggle. She showed that faithfulness is not about feeling God all the time, but about choosing Him even when He seems far away. Through her long night, she taught the world that love is not just a feeling, but a decision — one we make over and over again.

What makes Saint Teresa so compelling is that her holiness wasn’t built on visions or mystical experiences (though she had a few). Instead, her holiness was forged in the daily grind of service — cleaning wounds, calming fears, praying through exhaustion, and choosing love again and again, especially when she felt nothing at all.

She understood that true faithfulness is showing up when it’s hard, loving when you’re empty, and trusting that God’s grace fills the gaps. If you’ve ever wondered how to be holy in the middle of laundry, doctor’s appointments, and long workdays, Mother Teresa is your guide.

Carrying Her Spirit Into Lent

This Lent, if you want to honor Saint Teresa’s legacy, don’t look for ways to make yourself miserable — look for ways to make your love more generous. Offer a meal, hold space for someone’s grief, speak with kindness when you’d rather be sharp, and most of all, see Christ in the people who are hardest to love.

Because for Teresa of Calcutta, holiness wasn’t complicated. It was love in action — here, now, no excuses.

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For more reflections on saints who walk beside us in everyday life, follow Converting to Hope.

Three Sacrifices of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Charity

 

Lent invites us into a season of sacrifice, but not the kind the world imagines. This isn’t about punishment or pointless deprivation — it’s about offering something beautiful to God. When we willingly sacrifice during Lent, we’re choosing to give a gift of love — not because God demands it, but because love always wants to give.

At the heart of Lent are three traditional sacrifices: prayer, fasting, and charity. Each one draws us deeper into relationship — with God, with ourselves, and with others. Let’s walk through what each sacrifice means, and why they’re not burdens, but invitations.

1. Prayer: A Gift of Time and Attention

When we give more time to prayer during Lent, we’re making a sacrifice of attention. In a world that constantly pulls our focus in every direction, choosing to pause and sit with God is a profound gift. We’re not just asking for things or checking a box — we’re offering our presence, our questions, our silence, our hearts.

Prayer during Lent doesn’t have to mean hours on your knees. It can be:

• A few minutes of silence in the morning before the day begins
• Praying with Scripture (Lectio Divina)
• Adding a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Honest conversation with God about where you are right now

Whatever form your prayer takes, the point is this: you’re giving God your attention because you love Him. That alone is a beautiful sacrifice.

2. Fasting: A Gift of Discipline and Desire

Fasting is one of the most misunderstood sacrifices. It’s not about hating your body or proving how strong you are — it’s about freeing your desires. When we fast, we practice letting go of immediate comfort so that our deeper hunger — for God, for meaning, for love — has space to rise.

Traditional fasting focuses on food, but you can also fast from:

• Social media
• Unnecessary spending
• Complaining
• Excessive screen time

Whatever you fast from, the heart of this sacrifice is offering God your desires, your willingness to wait, and your trust that He alone satisfies. It’s a gift that says: I want You more than this comfort.

3. Charity: A Gift of Compassion and Solidarity

Charity is sacrifice in action. It’s giving not just from abundance, but from a place that costs something — time, energy, attention, or resources. When we give to others, we are offering God our willingness to see His image in every person we meet.

Lenten charity might look like:

• Donating to a cause you care about
• Volunteering time you’d rather keep for yourself
• Writing letters to those who are isolated
• Practicing extraordinary kindness in daily life

This sacrifice is a reminder that love is never meant to stay locked inside us. It flows outward, and every act of charity becomes a gift placed directly into God’s hands.

Sacrifice is Love, Not Loss

If you remember nothing else about these Lenten sacrifices, remember this: they are not tests to pass or hoops to jump through. They are invitations into love that gives freely. When you pray, fast, and give, you’re not losing something — you’re offering your heart. And that is a gift God treasures more than you know.

When Prayer Feels Impossible: How to Find Your Way Back to God (Even if You’re Mad at Him)

 

There are times in every faith journey when prayer feels impossible. Maybe you’re too exhausted to form words. Maybe you’re angry at God and not sure you even want to talk to Him. Maybe you’ve been so disconnected for so long that you feel embarrassed to show up now.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not broken—you’re human. And you’re not alone. Every single saint, every single mystic, and every single ordinary believer has faced this. Spiritual dryness, anger, grief, exhaustion—none of it disqualifies you from God’s love. In fact, these very struggles are often the doorway into deeper, more honest prayer.

Start With the Smallest Step

The enemy of prayer is perfectionism. You don’t have to show up with beautiful words, deep insights, or even a clear head. Start with a sigh. A glance. A single sentence: God, I’m here, and I don’t know what to say. That counts. God Himself says, "I stand at the door and knock." Simply opening the door is enough.

Name the Block Out Loud

Sometimes the thing that stops us from praying is something we’re afraid to admit. Maybe you’re furious that a prayer went unanswered. Maybe you’re ashamed of something you’ve done. Maybe you just feel numb. Whatever it is, name it. Say it out loud, even if all you can manage is a whisper. God already knows, but naming it helps you break the silence—and science backs this up. Studies show that naming your emotions out loud activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for processing and regulating feelings. When you name what you’re feeling, you actually begin to regain control over it. Naming turns something overwhelming into something you can work with—and that’s a powerful first step toward prayer.

Use Other People’s Words

If your own words won’t come, borrow someone else’s. Pray the Psalms, which are full of messy, honest prayers—some of them angry, some of them broken-hearted, some full of praise and trust. Use a simple prayer like, Jesus, have mercy on me. You don’t have to invent prayer from scratch every time. Many parishes will even offer you a free booklet of prayers if you ask—something you can tuck in your bag or bedside table for those wordless days.

Find God Somewhere Other Than Words

Prayer isn’t always verbal. Sometimes you can find God in silence, music, nature, or art. Sit outside and watch the sky shift. Listen to a piece of music that stirs your heart. Light a candle and just be still. God is present in all of it.

Remember Who You’re Talking To

If you’ve grown up thinking God is a distant judge, prayer can feel like standing trial. But that’s not the God Jesus reveals. Jesus shows us a God who runs to meet prodigals, who welcomes the broken-hearted, who never tires of hearing our voices. You’re not performing for Him—you’re being held by Him.

Accept That Prayer Will Feel Different in Different Seasons

Prayer in grief isn’t like prayer in joy. Prayer in depression isn’t like prayer in peace. That’s okay. There’s no one right way to pray. The only mistake is thinking you have to get it right.

Trust That God Wants You Back

However long it’s been, however messy you feel, the door is always open. You don’t have to earn your way back into prayer. You just have to turn toward Him—even a little—and He’ll come running.

You were never meant to be perfect at prayer. You were meant to love and be loved.

Why Catholics Need Popes (Even When Some of Them Were a Hot Mess)

 

For Catholics, the pope isn’t just a religious figure—he’s a symbol of unity, a successor to St. Peter, and a spiritual anchor for the whole Church. But let’s be honest: history hasn’t exactly handed us a spotless lineup of saintly popes. Some were profoundly holy; others were… well, let’s just say they made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

So why does the Church even need a pope? And how do we reconcile the need for papal authority with the reality of deeply flawed men sometimes occupying the chair of St. Peter?

It Starts With Scripture

The concept of a pope isn’t some later invention—it’s rooted directly in the words of Christ. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus says to Peter:

"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; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

That’s a transfer of authority—not just to Peter as a man, but to the office Peter holds. This is why Catholics see the pope not as a king or a celebrity priest, but as the keeper of the keys, entrusted with guarding and passing on the faith.

This authority is further confirmed in John 21:15-17, when Jesus tells Peter:

"Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep."

Peter is given the responsibility of shepherding the entire flock—which is why every pope after him takes on that same role.

Unity Requires a Visible Anchor

If you’ve ever seen what happens in churches without a central authority, you know why this matters. Human beings love to split hairs, and pretty soon, those hairs turn into full-blown divisions. The pope exists as a visible point of unity, the one who can say, “This is what the Church teaches, and this is not.”

That doesn’t mean every personal opinion a pope has is infallible (more on that in a second). But it does mean that when the pope teaches officially on faith and morals, he has the protection of the Holy Spirit to keep the Church from falling into error.

What About the Bad Popes?

Here’s where things get messy—because history doesn’t lie. There have been some truly awful popes:

• Pope Alexander VI (famous for his lavish corruption and scandalous personal life)
• Pope Benedict IX (literally sold the papacy—twice)
• Pope Stephen VI (held a posthumous trial for his predecessor, exhuming the corpse to stand trial)

The Church doesn’t deny these stories—but here’s the key: a pope’s personal sins don’t undo the authority of the office itself. The pope is the successor of Peter not because he’s the holiest man alive, but because the office exists to serve the Church, regardless of who temporarily holds it.

And the Good Popes?

For every corrupt pope, there are many who lived lives of extraordinary holiness and service:

• Pope Gregory the Great (reformed Church governance, championed the poor)
• Pope Leo the Great (defended the faith against heresy and literally stared down Attila the Hun)
• Pope John Paul II (helped topple communism, championed human dignity, inspired generations of young Catholics)

The Office Is Bigger Than the Man

At the end of the day, Catholics don’t believe the pope is sinless—they believe that the Holy Spirit protects the office itself from officially teaching error on faith and morals. That’s infallibility in a nutshell: not a guarantee that the pope is always wise, kind, or good, but a divine safeguard that ensures the Church stays anchored to truth.

TL;DR: Catholics need a pope because Christ established the role to guard the faith and unify the Church. Some popes lived that calling heroically; others spectacularly failed. But the office itself—the rock Christ promised—stands firm.

Because the Church isn’t built on Peter’s perfection. It’s built on God’s promise.