Chapter 4 - Journey to Christendom (Third Edition)
Ave Maris Stella
In this forthcoming reflection, my intention is to go beyond simply retelling the events and delve into the profound aspects of my spiritual journey. I will focus on the core of my conversion to Catholicism and the significant moments that influenced it to uncover the deeper meanings and structures behind these experiences.
The opening to the story begins with a visit I made with my family and a friend to the church of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Chicago. As soon as we stepped into the holy sanctuary, the overwhelming aura of Catholicism’s profound spirituality immediately embraced me. This presence was not just a vague feeling, but a tangible manifestation of the spirit, a recognition of the sacredness of the place. As I stepped into St. Stanislaus, a sense of tranquility washed over me. The faint scent of incense filled the air, creating an atmosphere of reverence. As the sunlight filtered through the ornate stained glass windows, it cast a soft hue of colors across the pews. In that moment, I felt a deep connection to something greater than myself, igniting a spark that would ultimately lead to my inspiration to write.
We met the priest. His revelation that the Cardinal Archbishop had designated the church the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy added a layer of historical and spiritual significance. This designation, which originated from a heavenly request by the Virgin Mary to the priest, struck a profound chord within me, fortifying my faith in an intimate story of divine intervention.
One year later, during a break from a professional trip to Chicago, the Holy Spirit inspired me to go back to St. Stanislaus Kostka. This return to the St. Stanislaus was unplanned, but I felt pulled irresistibly to the sacred sanctuary. Walking into the nearly empty church around five o’clock in the evening, the serene beauty of the sanctuary struck me once again. The Blessed Sacrament, displayed in a beautiful monstrance, and the exquisite statue of the Queen of Heaven next to it, created a profound spiritual ambiance. This encounter with Our Lady’s presence was overwhelming, filling the sanctuary, a powerful foretaste of deeper spiritual experiences to come.
Over the following weeks, I found myself drawn to the church repeatedly. Each visit marked a growing sense of Mary’s desire to make her Son known and loved in a world that seemed increasingly cold and lost. The near-empty church during my visits contrasted with the powerful sense of mission and presence I felt, highlighting the spiritual desolation and the call for renewal and devotion.
A month later, the announcement of the dedication of the Iconic Monstrance of Our Lady of the Sign, Ark of Mercy, by the Cardinal, filled me with anticipation. The monstrance, a towering nine-foot sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the Eucharistic host in her womb, symbolized the union of heaven and earth. The public unveiling of this icon was a moment of communal and personal significance, where the divine narrative at St. Stanislaus intersected with my own spiritual journey.
Arriving at the church early to secure parking for the event, we miraculously found a spot close to the entrance. This seemingly inconspicuous event carried a profound meaning, as if Mary herself had personally greeted us, validating our faith and commitment. Inside, the church buzzed with people and a palpable sense of anticipation filled the air. The unveiling of the icon during Mass was a moment of profound revelation, where the sacred and the sublime converged on my consciousness as an experience with being itself. The image of Our Lady, holding the Blessed Sacrament, spoke volumes without words, evoking a sense of apocalyptic beauty and divine grace.
This spiritual awakening continued beyond the event. On subsequent visits, the icon served as a constant reminder of Mary’s presence and guidance. The long journey from our home to the church became a weekly pilgrimage, a testament to the enduring influence of this sacred space on my spiritual life. Mary’s guidance extended further into my intellectual pursuits, leading me to significant theological works that deepened my understanding and devotion.
One evening, while adoring the Blessed Sacrament at a local church, I felt a profound connection to the story of Jesus’ youth, growing in wisdom and knowledge under Mary’s guidance. This connection reinforced the idea that Mary, the ultimate spiritual teacher, teaching Jesus himself, was guiding me on a similar path. I opened my catechism, landing on the Ten Commandments. The subsequent study of the Ten Commandments from the catechism over the next few weeks became a tangible manifestation of this heavenly Marian pedagogy.
Mary’s influence led me to three seminal works: St. Augustine’s “City of God,” Dietrich von Hildebrand’s “Transformation in Christ,” and H.W. Crocker III’s “Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church.” These books provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the Catholic worldview, spiritual life, and the Church’s history. Augustine’s work illuminated the dichotomy between the City of God and the city of man, offering a lens to interpret contemporary moral and philosophical issues. Von Hildebrand’s insights into authentic values and Christ as the highest value brought clarity to the interior of spiritual life. Crocker’s historical narrative reinforced the Church’s enduring legacy and divine foundation.
Through these works and my visits to the Blessed Sacrament at St. Stanislaus, I found that Mary’s inspiration played a crucial role in unlocking the language of my heart. The serenity and divine presence experienced during these visits gave me the courage to express and articulate my spiritual journey. The reflection forthcoming is not merely a recounting of events but an exploration of the profound meanings and structures that have shaped my conversion, revealing the divine narrative that continues to guide and inspire me.