Traditionally, converts to Catholicism are received into the Church on Easter. Because I'm special, my family did so on Pentecost, so today marks the 15th anniversary of my conversion.
I went into it knowing it was a process rather than an event and a decade ago I tried to drive this point home as an RCIA sponsor (that's Catholic-speak for mentoring a convert).
Things have changed a lot in the last 15 years and so have I. Two of my daughters are grown up and the youngest (who was but an infant) is now almost 16.
My understanding of God has changed a lot, too, and while some people hint that conversion will make for less troubles as the result of divine favor, that's not strictly true. There were a number of crisis in the last decade and a half – simply joining Team Christian didn't give me immunity from adversity.
However, it did give me the means to deal with it in a positive way.
Am I a better person? I think so. I also think I'm more moral – not superior to everyone else, just doing a better job of living in accord with Christian values.
While I seem to sinning less, I'm more aware of my past sins, which makes me very humble. In recent years, one of the aspects of the Church I've come to appreciate greatly is Reconciliation. It used to be something I dreaded, but now I look forward to it.
Being Catholic also opened my eyes to a world I never even knew existed. In Brideshead Revisited, Sebastian at one point remarks to Charles that Catholics simply see the world differently. It's true – and once seen, it can't be unseen.
That new vision has given me a new perspective on favorite authors like Tolkien, and introduced me to new favorites like Evelyn Waugh.
As I said, conversion is a process not an event, and I'm interested to see what the next 15 years will bring.
Chateau Lloyd 
Leave a comment