Hello, I’m Catholic.
Never in a million years would I have ever guessed this was the trajectory of my path. If you’d have told 16-year-old youth group me that one day I’d have crossed the Tiber, I’d have put me on a prayer list.
I shared a tiny bit about my conversion after a lifetime of evangelicalism (and a five-year foray as an Anglican), but it really scratches the surface. I’ll continue to share more when it makes sense… here’s what I’ve said so far:
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi (my ongoing essay series where I’m sharing my story)
Truth, Beauty, & Catholic Conversion on The Cordial Catholic
In the meantime, below are some resources that have helped us discern God’s leading to the Catholic Church. The list is imperfect and incomplete, and by including it here I’m not 100% endorsing everything ever made by that creator (or even the full thing I’m linking to) — but it was helpful. Perhaps it’s helpful for you, too, whether you’re discerning this same journey for yourself or whether you’re merely curious about my own.
xoxo, Tsh
Overall Helpful Resources
Books
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd edition (honestly, it’s so important to go directly to the source of what the Church believes instead of assumption or hearsay)
Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic, by John Bergsma*
Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other?, by Peter Kreeft
40 Reasons I Am a Catholic, by Peter Kreeft*
Evangelical Exodus, by Douglas Beaumont*
The Fathers Know Best: Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church, by Jimmy Akin*
An Immovable Feast by Tyler Blanski* (great for an Anglican perspective)
Why I Am Catholic (And You Should Be Too), by Brandon Vogt*
Rome Sweet Home, by Scott Hahn*
Surprised By Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic, by Patrick Madrid
Confessions, by St. Augustine
* Former Protestant who converted to Catholicism
Podcasts, Video Channels, and/or Websites
Word on Fire (podcast + website)
Bishop Barron’s Catholicism (video series)
Fr. Mike’s Ascension Presents (videos)
Commonweal Magazine (website)
Saint of the Day, Franciscan Media (short audio series)
Church Fathers (website)
The Cordial Catholic (videos/podcast)
The Counsel of Trent (videos/podcast)
Pints With Aquinas (videos/podcast)
Keith Nester (videos/podcast)
The Eucharist
The Fourth Cup, Scott Hahn (audio via video)
What Early Christians Believed About the Eucharist, Pints With Aquinas (video)
Symbol or Substance? A Dialogue on the Eucharist with CS Lewis, Billy Graham, and JRR Tolkien, by Peter Kreeft (book)
Eucharist 101 - kid-friendly, Catholic Central (video + resources)
Real Presence (video)
Protestants, Church Fathers, & Eucharist, Clerically Speaking — start at 33:00 (podcast) + referring video
The Eucharist Problem, Bishop Barron (video)
The Mass
The Bible and the Sacrifice of the Mass, Scott Hahn (video)
Church Isn't Supposed to be Fun, Brian Holdsworth (video)
Does God Care How We Worship?, Brian Holdsworth (video)
The Mass: Sunday Morning Liturgy, Catholic Central - kid-friendly (video)
Do Protestants Really Worship God?, Shameless Popery (video)
One Church
What the Catholic Church is Not in 4 Words, Word on Fire (article)
Why be Catholic and not just Christian, Fr. Mike (video)
Is Peter Really the Foundation of the Church? (podcast, 17:56)
Pope Peter (podcast, 51:05)
The Early Church Was Apostolic (podcast, 31:26)
Holy Orders - kid-friendly (video, 7:02)
Papal Infallibility (Catholic Answers)
Protestantism and Authority, Bishop Barron (video)
Understanding the Authority of the Catholic Church, Ascension (video)
What’s Catholic?, Catholic Central, kid-friendly (video)
Scott Hahn Explains Papal Infallibility, Catholic Answers (video)
What it Means to be Catholic, Brian Holdsworth (video)
The Early Church was Catholic, Pints With Aquinas (video)
The Early Church Was 100% Catholic. Here’s Why., Joe Heschmeyer (video)