Many years ago, on a wet Friday afternoon, I waited with several other white-dressed brides in the foyer of a registry office, for the moment when a few words and a legal document would change my name and life forever.
At 3 o’clock, I entered the Blue Room with my sister bridesmaids and took my place by the side of my groom. Andy and I looked at each other and smiled. This was it: our wedding day. After repeating the required words, a round of applause echoed around the crowded small room. We were now husband and wife.
Andy and I were happy. We had each other; we thought we had everything. But in the quiet moments, I wondered if something was missing in our lives. My heart was full, but my soul was restless.
Our daughter Felicity was born. And less than a year and a half after her birth, Duncan joined our family. And those restless feelings increased. What were we missing?
One day, the word baptism appeared in my mind. I tried to ignore it, banish it, but it wouldn’t leave me alone. It nagged and nagged at me until I finally said to Andy, “If we were to have our children baptised, what church would you choose?” Without hesitating, he said, “The Catholic Church.”
I was suspicious of the Church. Surely it rules people’s lives? It’s out to control everyone. It makes life difficult and not much fun. Did I really want to tie our children to such an institution? Eventually, I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to do some research. Maybe if I found out the facts and had my fears confirmed, the word baptism would leave me alone.
After making a phone call, I ended up at our local parish presbytery. The front door swung open, and I was welcomed in by a gently smiling Irish-accented priest. He waved me down the narrow hall towards his study, shuffling slowly after me.
I immediately made it clear that I was only there to ask a few questions about baptism. The Church wouldn’t necessarily get my kids. The priest’s gentle smile remained in place as he selected an orange bound book from his shelf. Perhaps I’d like to read it? If I had any questions, he’d be happy to answer them.
Before I knew it, I was skipping back to my car, clutching the book, grinning. I’d spoken to a priest, and I’d survived. How daring. And now I had what I needed: a book about the Catholic faith.
That evening, I read the orange book, from cover to cover, and Love spoke to my heart. God showed me what was missing from our life.
I returned to the priest: when could he baptise our children? Soon.
After the baptism, I had a second question: when could I become a Catholic too?
And then I realised that if I was entering the Church, we’d need to arrange our Church wedding.
One Saturday morning, a few months later, I put on my favourite green floral dress. I was ready, and so was my love. We drove to the church with our two young children for the early Mass.
Before the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest invited us to come forward. A few miraculous words later, and the door to the Church flew open. With my heart beating fast, I passed through it.
Then I married my Catholic-born husband for the second time. We were joined, not only by love but by Love as well. The regular Saturday morning parishioners were delighted to find themselves unexpectedly at our wedding. Everyone smiled and clapped loudly. They showered us with congratulations. A woman with tears in her eyes hugged me tightly.
When we got home from the church, Andy sizzled bacon and eggs in a pan, while I heated oversized muffins in the oven. We brewed coffee and poured orange juice. Then we carried our breakfast feast out into the garden where we soaked up the glorious autumn sunshine and the joy of the day.
While we ate, I thought about how God had whispered a single word into my ear, baptism, and how unimaginable things had then happened.
Two lives became forever one when one wedding became two, and we were now beginning our life anew.
Photo by Wedding Photography on Unsplash
Oh, how beautiful! What a beautiful story to share. Thank you! I think of how restless we all feel right now with the world in such disarray, and you remind us of what is important. Reflecting on those watershed moments in our lives when everything changes and God moves us to do something big…it is entirely likely that many of those watershed moments are being created now, in the midst of the seeming madness around us, yes? We must take the time to pause and listen, read and ask questions, figure out what is missing.
Oh Sue! Thank you for posting this here today. ‘Love spoke to my heart’ and you passed through the door of the Church with your heart beating fast. ❤️
You would not believe how timely this piece is for me today.
I would love to know the name of that orange book that helped explain what was missing in your life!
Ceire,
Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of the book. It was probably something very simple such as The Catholic Faith. It was written for people wanting to know more about Catholicism, and probably every priest had a few copies of it. A few years ago, I gave away my orange book so I can’t check its title. I don’t think it was a particularly extraordinary book. There are probably many more beautiful books available. But God used that particular book to capture my heart. As I was reading it, I could see our family bound together by God’s love. I saw that life had meaning. It’s hard to explain. I felt such joy as if I’d found something important, or as if I’d been wandering around lost and had been found. I suppose I had been lost! Anyway, I was so excited. I was also thirsty. I wanted to know more.
Ceire, thank you so much for reading my story. It was very special sharing it with you!
Staci,
Oh yes, I’ve also been thinking about how this could be a life-changing time. Instead of being fearful and getting frustrated, I know I should be pausing and listening, as you said. Look beyond the virus. Get back to what is important. There’s no doubt we are living through an extraordinary time.
Thank you so much for reading my story and leaving such a thought provoking comment. I appreciate your kind words!
That’s ok, Sue. I’m still getting over the way God sent me this consolation and hope through your post on this particular day. He is so good! And I love the way you write about how He moves in your life. Thank you.
Ceire,
I’m so glad God used my story to bring you hope and consolation. Oh yes, He is indeed good!
Another book that captured my heart and attention was Leo Trese’s The Faith Explained. I can remember reading about grace and feeling excited. Life is more than what we can see with our eyes!
I feel I have cheated with my story. I told the truth, but there’s more to the conversion story. I was full of joy on the day that I entered the Church. I thought I was going to start living a fairy tale Catholic life, but things didn’t work out that way. I had a lot of unexpected challenges ahead of me. At one point, I wondered if I’d made a mistake becoming a Catholic. Of course, I hadn’t. I’m still here! Maybe I’ll write about that experience another day.
May God bless you!
Thank you for writing your beautiful beautiful wedding story! It is so touching, that I want to shout “Congratulations!!!” to you and Andy and give you a big hug with happy tears in my eyes, like this woman did on that wonderful Saturday morning.
So good, that Andy and you have found each other and so good that you have opened your heart to Love and all the blessings that would come through your marriage.
Luana,
Isn’t it wonderful how we can share in each other’s joy? Your words make me smile. Thank you! Sending love to you and your family!
I never could have guessed what was to follow that blog post title. You have written so, so beautifully on a beautiful love story with God. To have heard Him call you, how quiet your heart must have been. I pray this post reaches all those who yearn for hope and a sign from heaven.
Caitlynne,
I think God had been calling me for a long time. Looking back through the years, I can see other signs from heaven. They began when I was a child. I was very resistant, but God was patient. He kept calling! Thank you so much for your kind words!
Oh, Sue, that would also be very interesting story, if you would like to share it someday (story about your way to Love, and Gods ways to find you, since your childhood).
Luana,
Thank you for your interest in my story. I hope I can find the right words to write it. God bless you!
Sue, I stumbled across this story from your “Dawn Tree” post linked in Mighty Networks. I think it is the most beautiful piece of your writing that I have encountered – and that is saying a lot, given all my favorites among your your two books, the unschooling blog, and the community! This is my first time on this site. I look forward to hearing your voice, rich with Beauty and Truth, in a new and extraordinary way. ?
Kara,
Your kind and beautiful words really touched my heart. Thank you! I’m glad you found this blog. It’s my place for exploring a few stories of my own rather than unschooling ones. I hope all is well with you and your family. God bless!