A Great Service

“Know that the greatest service that man can offer to God is to help convert souls.” St. Rose of Lima

I received an incredible phone call recently. I teach international students and I taught someone some time ago who contacted me. The call was overwhelming once I heard the news. “I have entered into the RCIA program to fully enter the Catholic Church.” I nearly dropped the phone having been left flabbergasted but in a good way. What was the impetus for this conversion? I can only speculate and though details continued in the conversation, I know that conversion stories are extremely personal. I want to respect privacy, but I was so happy and this person knew it. We do not know how God moves, but He moves as He wants. I need to know that and remember it always.

“If we wish to make any progress in the service of God, we must begin everyday of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God, as much as possible and have no other view or end, in all our actions but the divine honour.” St. Charles Borromeo

Is every day a “yes” to the Lord? I am not so sure. I doubt quite often, but I must stand firm. I need to look at examples around me. I can read about so many great people who entered the Church. A few come to mind. The now Venerable Marcello Labor was a Jewish man from Italy who studied medicine in Austria and married in a Jewish ceremony. While serving in the Italian army in World War I, he and his wife were baptized. Once she died, he became a priest, and his life was not without suffering. I do not think converting to Catholicism is an antidote for an easy life, but on the contrary, it is a recipe to follow, so to speak. The Lord knows us and our lives are filled with struggles yet there is always joy. Another example is St. Charles Lwanga. Raised in Uganda, Lwanga had heard about Christianity in the tribal court. As he learned more about Christ, he was drawn to the faith. King Mwanga persecuted the Christians but they stood firm. Lwanga requested baptism and even as those he worked with were killed, he was not afraid. His feast day commemorates this struggle and faith. Another example is Takashi Nagai. I read the book, A Song for Nagasaki. It reveals the inspiring story of Nagai's spiritual journey from Shintoism to atheism to Catholicism.

“He loves, He hopes, He waits. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the sinner for years rather than keep us waiting an instant.” St. Maria Goretti 

It is all a mystery. As the RCIA catechumens prepare for the Easter Vigil, the Church continues to work for the conversion of everyone. The Carmelite Sisters remind me that God wants to save everyone, even our enemies. This is done through witness. I was at the New York Encounter (newyorkencounter.org)this last weekend. The event is something I attend every year. I see people from all over Canada and the US who make the trip to participate. Young and old are there. It is a great sight to see. Christ is like a scent that moves people, and they are drawn to Him. The Church is alive, and converts are proof.

“This is a serious warning cry: Surrender without reservation to the Lord who has called us. This is required of us so that the face of the earth may be renewed.” St. Edith Stein