A Gentle Whisperer; A Powerful Advocate

In 1 Kings 19:11-13, God reveals himself to Elijah, but not as expected.  God is not in the strong wind, an earthquake or fire, but in a soft whisper.  On the other end of the spectrum, it would take an intense hurricane, Irma,  for my family to relocate and grow in the recognition and embrace of God, in Catholicism,  specifically.

 
Yet, once in Georgia, through a series of events, in retrospect the ingenious planning of the Holy Trinity, a figure would emerge whose gentle presence and soft voice would rouse our Faith like no intense natural disaster did or could ever accomplish.  Moreover, typically, I almost missed it personally, looking for “other” signs and events to transform my loved ones.

 
For one, I was gladdened to locate a wonderful parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw.  During a Saturday Mass, I noted a young mother with a few children.  One fell against a pew, and the Mom carried the crying child out while the others sat quietly.  Afterwards, I inquired how was the toddler but afterwards thought no more about the encounter.

 
A short time later, my daughter-in-law and I ran into this same Mom and children at a thrift store.  Not thinking beyond the moment, I simply said a hurried “hi”—“good to see you”—or something to that effect.  As I moved on, I soon noticed that my DIL was no longer at my side.  She was chatting with the woman, who I learned was Lauren 

 
From there, a friendship blossomed but more incredibly that simple passing by would lead to knowing a very special man who had helped in this woman’s conversion, and would later touch not only my daughter-in-law and son—then practicing Baptists—but many other families in the parish.  Most of the specifics I missed being behind the scenes, but as I became more acquainted with Dr. Paul Thigpen, it became startling evident that his influence in faithfully informing and converting young persons was astonishing.   Who was Dr. Paul Thigpen?

 
Many stories since his passing in late February note his prolific writings. An outstanding article recently appeared in The Crisis by Casey Chalk. (A Paragon of Virtue and Christian Charity, March 4, 2026) This and other telling verbal and written  anecdotes often highlight Dr. Paul as a great Scriptural scholar and faith formation leader.  All of this is true, and he was an exceptional speaker and teacher.  Still, there are many wonderful Catholic writers, some likely provided more exciting presentations than Dr. Paul, but no one exceeded his knowledge of the Bible.  And, I cannot think of any who surpassed his capacity for love of neighbor.  Casey Chalk noted these other attributes so comprehensively and lovingly.  

 
Regardless, Dr. Paul never overstated himself; he actually did not state anything that would reveal the depth of his intellect.  My first encounter with Dr. Paul was at the parish in the first months of our move.  I had just attended an Avila Institute conference in Alabama and had extra materials.   Steered to the religious formation director, Dr. Paul Thigpen, about whom I had no prior knowledge.  I eagerly gifted him with the materials.  He graciously accepted them.  Only later did I discover his background and expertise and realized, it was I who should have asked him for “materials”!

 
Still he never exaggerated.   Once when I asked a question about the Mass, Dr. Paul humbly admitted he was not a liturgist.  Another time I came across a book he had written, a continuation story of Dante’s The Inferno:  My Visit to Hell.  His response:  “Thanks for letting me know!  I won’t ask whether the book looks well read….or even opened.” 

I answered back:  “Well, so far a very intriguing main character.  Readable, too!”  I noted that the book was in good condition with an easily bendable cover, so it had likely been read in “a one home or two.”  Paul countered that he was glad to hear it and that he wrote it just before he became Catholic, “so the faith is mostly implicit rather than explicit.”

 
Always putting others first, he once apologized for having to cancel his Faith Ablaze presentation.  Despite a nasty flu, Paul was more concerned about his audience, writing “It grieves me that we’ll have two weeks in a row without class.  Please pray for me, and God willing, I’ll be past this for the following Sunday.”

 
The bottom line:   Paul Thigpen imitated Jesus Christ; his was that gentle whisper, nonetheless heard loud and clear by many he met, especially young men in the parish.  My son was one.  Paul had a way about him that attracted honest inquiry without fear of being rebuffed or rejected.  Watching him in the Narthex after Mass reminded me of all the Biblical scenes of those who approached Jesus with questions, sought explanations, healing or consolation.   Moreover, these dialogues, from a distance, recalled the disciples and those they mentored on the way to their own martyrdom. 

 
Paul also sacrificed without any outward sign of discomfort though he suffered from various health issues.  I still tear up recalling his disclosure that he had fasted for me during my cancer treatments.  If anything, I should have been fasting for him!  He gifted many others with his self denial even when tried by his own ailments.

 
Furthermore, Dr. Paul was always his most jolly when with people.  He dressed at St. Nick on St. Nicolas Day, for instance.  A devotee of St. Joseph, his demeanor was subservient to the Blessed Mother, and he never failed to respond to a question about the Faith.  Yet, one could not confuse his cheery countenance with avoidance of or indifference to evil.  He was a fierce combatant of all things demonic, and his manual on spiritual warfare is a classic.

 
I attribute my daughter in law’s entry into the Church, my son’s return, and two grandchildren being baptized to Dr. Paul.  Of course, now the rest of the journey will be on them and me though I have already begun to pray to him in hope he is in Heaven while still praying for the repose his soul.  I have many family, friends, and neighbors in mind.  In fact, a week before he died, myself sister in California noted a copy of his book, Saints Who Saw Hell And Other Catholic Witnesses to the Fate of the Damned” on her Pastor’s desk.  She plans to inquire about that and further advance Dr. Paul’s powerful witness.   No one could ever convince me that God does not know all, from all time,  and masterfully weave incredible life changing narratives.  

 
So, though saddened he will no longer be a presence when I visit Georgia, I know that whenever a soft breeze touches my cheek that Dr. Paul Thigpen has not gone away, but his sphere of evangelization has merely expanded to embrace “brothers (and sisters)” around the world.   And I look forward to one day “reading” his My Life in Heaven.