Winning New Converts

As the Catechism reminds us, winning converts to our faith should be a constant concern for all Catholics: "the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers... or to the faithful " ( 905) How should we go about it?

People are brought to the Church one by one. God pours out his saving grace in many ways, but he normally requires--we could even say desires--the willing collaboration of his sons and daughters in this task. Winning converts is your task and mine; there is no more endlessly satisfying and challenging work than that of saving souls. The famous Catholic philosopher (and convert) Dietrich von Hildebrand said that we should look upon all the people we encounter as Catholics either in re (in fact) or in spe (potentially).

Don't we all, from time to time, think about sharing with a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or a colleague the joy that it is in our hearts as we enjoy the fullness of our faith in the Catholic Church? No apologies are necessary here (except in the "Pro Vita Sua" sense). No doubt some readers already have had the wonderful experience of being the godparent or sponsor for a friend whom, by God’s grace, they have guided into the Church. They know, then, the joy that fills the heart of one being used as God’s instrument. The only comparable joys are marriage, becoming a parent, and performing the sacraments of the Church "in persona Christi" as a priest.

This delight in a friend’s baptism or reception into full communion with the Church is always a cause for holy celebration, but it is a particular joy in the present circumstances of our culture and in the present ecclesial moment. We see ourselves surrounded in our "culture of death" by so many persons bereft of any real meaning in their lives. Has there ever been in the Christian era a more joyless, aimless, lonely society than our own--a society that is truly "clueless"--a society that has appeared to have gained the whole world but forgotten the existence of its own soul? On the other hand, has there ever been a Roman Pontiff at the head of our Church who has so incessantly and hopefully proclaimed the Gospel in all its fullness throughout the world, addressing the hopes and anxieties of this fallen yet redeemed world so completely?

The constant growth of the infant Church through the first three centuries, up to the Edict of Milan in the early 4th century took place through the witness and personal influence of thousands of Christians and their families. With the passage of more centuries, Christian ideals--again lived out in the world by persons and families--gradually transformed the West into a form of a Christian culture which we know as the Middle Ages. In our own time, following the gradual dissolution of that particular culture through, in part, such historical events as the Reformation, the Enlightenment and the titanic struggles of ideas and ideologies of the last two centuries (Darwinism, Marxism, Freudianism, and so on), we are called to do the same. The partial success of these various heresies and ideologies on the world stage has been due in part to the fact that a large portion of the Catholic laity has been "missing in action" in the apostolic sense through the last several centuries, ignorantly content to let the clergy and religious do the "heavy lifting."

This essay aims to offer some insights, largely based upon personal experience, into how we can more effectively spread the gift of faith through example and friendship--or what Cardinal Newman referred to as the "apostolate of personal influence." As we rapidly draw toward the "threshold of hope" into the third millennium, this is the historical moment to throw off our timidity, our fear, and let our light shine out not only from under the basket but upon the shining hill.

The work of the laity

Why is it that at the end of this century our faith, so abused, attacked, and vituperated, has drawn to it well known Jewish atheists, Protestant ministers by the dozens, prominent politicians, and so many other dedicated new converts? Why did the Holy Father, in his last pastoral visit to the US in October 1995, virtually conquer the heart of New York, the capital city of secularism? Why is it that in the media today when the word "Church" is used, it is always understood to mean the Catholic Church and not pan-Protestantism? Certainly these signs of life cannot be said to reflect the notion that membership in the Church is the road to riches, affluence, fame, good health, and a carefree future! No; Catholicism attracts only those who are seeking the eternal verities that promise eternal life--"life everlasting" .

If this is "the age of the laity," as is incessantly proclaimed, the vigor of that age will be measured not by the ever-increasing participation of the laity in ecclesiastical "ministries" but rather by the growth and spiritual health of the Church as manifested in an increase both in numbers and in the intensity of laymen’s prayer, sacramental participation, and apostolic fervor. This, in turn, will lead inevitably to a gradual transformation of our culture into one that reflects faithfully Christ’s teaching as mediated through the Church. As the Pope said in his address to the American bishops in Los Angeles in l987:

To be able to answer in the affirmative may take decades, but the effort will start with our own personal conversion, which will result in the conversion of others.

No bystanders, no excuses

The prophetic message of the Council and of the present pontificate have led to this thinking about the laity. The Holy Father believes that, as we enter the third millennium, we are crossing the "threshold of hope" into " a new springtime for the Church." If this is to happen, it will depend ultimately on the apostolate of millions of persons and families. In his letter on missionary activity the Pope said:

We may refer to this sharing of our faith as evangelization or as giving witness, but I prefer the word used most often by the Council fathers in this context: apostolate. The second Vatican Council tells us:

In short, the "buck stops" with each one of us; we are obliged to evangelize those who surround us. There can be no excuses. "Every disciple is personally called by name; no disciple can withhold making a response: 'Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.'" (1 Cor 9:16)

Freedom and grace

Perhaps we should firmly establish our right as well as our duty to bring our friends to Christ’s Church. First, it is his Church, with the successor of St. Peter as the Vicar of Christ. As the Holy Father points out in the encyclical ecumenism:

To put it succinctly, all who are saved are saved through the Church even if they are not aware of it on earth. Everyone in heaven is a member of the Church. Belloc had it right:

There is a mistaken notion, fairly widespread in our society, that the second Vatican Council was about the role of the lay Catholic in the Church. It was not. It was about the role of the lay Catholic in the world. This role can be summed up in the search for holiness that is our baptismal right and duty, and consequently in assuming the right and privilege of extending the kingdom of God here on earth--through our witness to our faith, through the Christian example of our family, and through our friendships.

A few words of caution may be ncessary here. We are not speaking of proselytism (in the pejorative sense). That is to say, our sharing, witnessing, speaking, giving, forming, and educating has absolutely nothing to do with coercion, or--perish the thought--lack of respect for the "freedom of the children of God," particularly in that which refers to our fellow Christians, our "separated brethren." Quite the contrary. I am in total agreement with the landmark ecumenical statement "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" of l994, written by Charles Colson and Richard John Neuhaus and co-signed by many other prominent churchmen of both Catholicism and the Evangelical faiths, which says: "It is understandable that Christians who bear witness to the Gospel try to persuade others that their communities and traditions are more fully in accord with the Gospel." We realize that only God’s grace can effect a conversion and that pressure (other than our prayer, sacrifice, good example, and friendship) would not only in the long term certainly be counterproductive but would also not respect "the dignity of the human person" so central to the teachings of the 2nd Vatican Council and of John Paul II.

In the decree on ecumenism, the fathers of Vatican II taught us:

As followers of Christ we are interested not in winning arguments but only in our personal "gift of self" which is never more complete than when we act as God’s collaborators in communicating the gift of divine life, God’s grace. Cardinal Newman, the proto-convert of the last two centuries, made it clear that "to believe is to love" and that the grace of the fullness of faith is only given to those who are freely seeking it.

Just ask

But now we move on to more practical matters. How do we "make" converts? Immediately, we should stop and realize that we don’t. God does.

Having made that abundantly clear, what is our first step in approaching someone to consider becoming a Catholic? Naturally the desire to bear witness will flow out of our prayer life. To paraphrase the epitaph written on the tomb of the famous London architect Christopher Wren, "If you seek converts, circumspice" (look around you). We come into contact with hundreds of people each month in the course of our daily lives. They range from dearest family members and intimate friends to the butcher, baker, and candlestick maker. We may look at them and ask ourselves, "Could this person be open to our Faith?". If the answer is Yes, we move on to the next step.

It is said that the most effective way to raise money for a good cause is to simply ask for it. The same may be applied to our situation. The question--"Have you ever thought of becoming a Catholic?"--when addressed to many people over the course of our lifetime, will produce not only converts but also many interesting and thought-provoking conversations and new, deeper personal relationships.

You may have to practice this line in front of a mirror a few times--just as you did before asking out your first date. You generally will be surprised at how flattered, if somewhat surprised, people are by the question. Naturally it has to be emphasized that we are not approaching perfect strangers. Indeed, if we are not in the process of developing a deep and lasting friendship with the potential new member of the Church, then our question lacks authenticity and will be rightfully judged as impertinent. and insincere.

The great majority of people to whom this question is posed will say that you are the first person who has ever asked them that question, and more than a few will say they have been waiting for someone to ask them that question all their lives! A few will react negatively, but after all, not all "have eyes to see or ears to hear." We are not looking for success. It is the "love of Christ that compels us." We may also be surprised to see after the passage of time--even many years--that people come back to us looking for answers because we had the courage to offer them our faith.

We are challenging people to consider making the most significant decision they will ever make in their lives, infinitely more important than the choice of school, profession, or spouse--a decision that will affect every fiber of their being for the rest of their lives, and have serious consequences in the hereafter. It is essential that we get to know them well--particularly their religious background, if any--so, as the current jargon has it, we "know where they are coming from." Of use in this regard would be a thorough reading of Separated Brethren, a survey of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and other denominations in the US by William J. Whalen. By engaging in conversation on this point we will be inviting our friends, and committing ourselves, to go deep below the surface of everyday trivialities into the heart of the matter. Why are we here? What is truth? Is there a right and wrong? Is there a God? An afterlife? Is Jesus Christ God? Did he found a Church during his lifetim ? If so, which one? Do we need to belong to it to be saved?

Introducing catholicism

Of course, we need to be not only willing to discuss and answer these queries but prepared to do so as well. "Be ready always with an answer to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter, 3:15 ) To be an evangelist in today’s world means to be an apologist. This is the work of a lifetime, but that fact does not excuse us from evangelizing while we learn on the job. Remember, no matter how little we know, our friends probably know less. And what is more important, we know where to go for the answers. A lot of our catechetical work with our friends will be, happily, simply to refer them to the best sources. Obviously we should have a good grasp of the New Testament and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, our fundamental texts. However we should also read and study the great English and American apologists: Newman, Lewis, Chesterton, Benson, and Knox and the more modern masters, Sheed and Kreeft. It is also useful to be familiar with the magisterial teachings of the Pope for the most current teachings on matters of faith and morals.

A review of our own preparation leads directly to the question of recommending reading for friends who express an interest in our faith. An increasing number of people simply do not understand the basic vocabulary of what it means to believe. An excellent brief volume is Belief and Faith, by the famous German philosopher Josef Pieper. He draws heavily on Cardinal Newman’s much more complex Grammar of Assent. Many people today need a book to awaken their interest in Christianity or a volume that helps to make Christianity "reasonable" and understandable. Several books come immediately to mind. Both Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man by G. K .Chesterton will stimulate the reader. I am thinking also of a basic primer, A Map of Life, by Frank Sheed, and the famous Mere Christianity of C.S. Lewis. Most fundamental, of course, is the New Testament. And we might recommend a good life of Christ (perhaps by Goodier, Sheen, Riccioti, or Guardini ). Our friends simply must come to know the life of Jesus Christ if they are going to be able to join his Church. Next would come a good Catholic catechism, so that they may come to know the Church and her teachings. There are many excellent ones in print, by Fathers Trese, Hardon, Lawler, Noll, and others; choose one that reflects the sound teaching of the Church, updated for the Second Vatican Council and the authoritative Catechism of the Catholic Church.

I would recommend whetting friends' appetite for conversion by giving them a book or two on stories of conversions: Spiritual Journeys or Surprised by Truth come immediately to mind. Our friends will be intrigued to read about the many people drawn to the faith from such varied backgrounds, and they are sure to find at least part of their own story in one of these histories. And of course we should not forget the classic spiritual autobiographies of St. Augustine, John Henry Newman, Thomas Merton, and Malcolm Muggeridge, nor the more recent one of Dr. Bernard Nathanson; they have changed millions of hearts and minds.

We should also familiarize our friends with the richness of the history of the Church. They clearly will see the continuity of the faith through the apostolic succession and read the dramatic story of evangelization through the centuries with its ups and downs. I would recommend Msgr. Philip Hughes’s Popular History of the Church for a short synopsis of Church history, and the first three volumes of the magisterial History of Christendom by Warren Carroll. The latter volumes read like novels, are painstakingly researched, and reveal the Church in all its heights and depths, in its saints and sinners.

An important part of our work of introducing our friends to the faith will be exposing them to the beauty of the Catholic liturgy and to the art, literature, and music of Catholic inspiration. Accompanying them to the Holy Mass and other liturgical events--the celebration of solemn Benediction, a baptism, a wedding, the Easter Vigil, an episcopal consecration, or the ordination of new priests, a Rosary -filled pilgrimage to a shrine of the Virgin--will bring them to a deep appreciation of the incarnate aspect of our faith and its sacramental nature. To listen to Gregorian Chant (today so strangely popular) or the great classical compositions centered on the Mass, the Psalms, or various events in the life of Christ and our Lady will also draw them closer to the heart of the Church. Listen with them to the great works of Mozart, Beethoven, Bruckner and to the more contemporary Gorecki and Messiaen for starters. Surely such beauty in music could only be inspired by the truth.

Introduce them to the great Catholic authors, starting with Dante and continuing on down the centuries through Manzoni and Sienkiewicz in the last century to the Undsets, Waughs, O’Connors, Bernanos’, Mauriacs, and Endos of our own day. They will thus understand that the truth really does make us free and no one so free as the artist who has the standard of a faith-filled metaphysic that gives him full rein of expression in capturing the divine in the human.

Let’s be realistic. Not all of our friends, by any means, are going to be receptive to this heavy "intellectual" approach. We may have to be much more selective in what we recommend to our friends: pamphlets rather than books, Catholic hymns rather than symphonies, a more contemporary (although sound) version of the New Testament rather than the Douay-Rheims, the stained glass in a parish church rather than Chartres. Listen to their needs, hear their questions, and try to satisfy them. A time of prayer spent with them or a visit to poor or elderly people may be much more influential in the process of their movement toward the Church than any possible reading.

The parish setting

Finally, we cannot forget the parish and the priest. After all, our friend will most probably spend the rest of life normally worshipping in a parish setting If he has not been baptized, the Church normally asks that the budding catechumen be enrolled in the R.C.I.A. program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in his local parish, which will take him through a month-by-month program of initiation that culminates normally in Baptism during the Easter Vigil. If he has been baptized, he will make his first confession, and then receive the sacrament of confirmation and first Holy Communion within a Mass on Easter or at another time. It is useful and proper to establish a team approach in dealing with your friends. Find a prayerful, zealous priest (in effect, those adjectives really are synonomous) with whom you can work; both of you together can offer your insights and wisdom, your prayer and sacrifice to your friend. The priest may be able to enter better into some areas that you cannot on account of his sacramental power. He will also be able to advise you as to the best way and moment for your friend to be incorporated in the Church, taking careful notice of personal circumstances.

What happens if over a reasonable amount of time our friend does not react--if he says he doesn’t hear a call to conversion. His difficulties with Christ and the teachings of the Church may still result in doubt. His family (usually parents or spouse) may present what appear to be insuperable obstacles. Do we throw him overboard in order to sail off for other prizes? Of course not! The answer is prayer, persistence, and patience. The violence of our prayer (remember who is in charge of this operation) will eventually bear him away. Our persistence and constancy in true friendship may eventually win him over, by showing that our love is unconditional. Remember: You may be the one person in his life who is interested only in his salvation--with no ulterior motives of any sort. By patience we show our realization that conversion takes place at God’s pace, not a minute sooner or later. The conversion may not happen until he is is on his death bed, and you may witness it from heaven.

And if, thanks to be to God, he has finally made it, what comes next? Naturally, it is on to the next potential convert--if we are not already dealing with several people at the same time. However, don’t forget your new-born Catholic friend. He is just a very young child, taking his first tottering steps into a bright new world that will have its storms and shadows. He will be surrounded by some who regard Catholicism and his conversion to it (in Chesterton’s words) as "a nuisance and a new and a dangerous thing." He needs nurturing, encouragement, friendship, and support. Blessed Josemaria Escriva says, "Sanctification is the work of a lifetime," and as your friend’s godfather, sponsor, or guide, you have to be with him every step of the way. Perhaps you will introduce him to other institutions and spiritualities within the Church that can further his spiritual progress. He will be eternally grateful to you. And you in your turn will echo the words of a famous French convert and poet, Paul Claudel, who said, "Tell him his only duty is to be joyful."

Father C. John McCloskey III is the US representative for the Pontifical Atheneum of the Holy Cross, and the chaplain of Mercer House, a center of Opus Dei located in Princeton, New Jersey.