Hello and welcome to The Saintly Catholic! My name is Jerry and like you, I’m doing my very best to live a saintly life during these often turbulent times. I created this blog site to share my Catholic faith with any one who is willing to read. More later….
Perhaps it’s only fitting for one who owns a Catholic themed website to describe the journey which has led me to the Church. It really all began during the summer of 2009 while on vacation in Belgium. But like any good novel, there’s usually a bit of background required in order to tell the entire story.
I was born and raised in Texas. I have memories of attending church with both of my grandmothers who inspired me to learn about the Bible. My grandmother on my mom’s side gave me my first bible when I was about 7 years old and my grandmother on my dad’s side taught me The Lord’s Prayer.
As a young adult I attended various denominational and non-denominational style church services but always felt something was still lacking spiritually. During the next few years I looked at my faith (or lack there of). What little I knew about religion, I was aware of how Christianity began with the Catholic Church. Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”. I knew St. Peter was the first Pope and understood about the succession to Pope St. Paul II. So even at this period of my life, I was drawn to the Catholic Church.
Back to 2009
During the summer of 2009, my wife and I were visiting her family in Belgium. As we would often do during our stays, we went on a few day trips to other parts of Belgium. This particular year we spent a few days in Ostend, visited the city of Bruges and spent time in the old city center of Antwerp. In each of these locations we visited museums and toured churches and cathedrals.
Upon entering the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Ostend, we noticed a statue of Saint John Vianney. The statue caught my eye as it was most unique in appearance.
Over the next several days, we toured many other churches including the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges and the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. In each of these places we would continue to see either statues or paintings of Saint John Vianney almost immediately upon entering the building. My wife and I joked that St. Vianney was following us around Belgium.
Upon returning home, I felt the desire to attend mass at our local Catholic church. When entering the building I immediately noticed a painting of St. John Vianney. I looked at my wife and said, He has followed us home.
The following week I enrolled in the fall RCIA class. Due to a previous marriage, I knew I would also need to go through the annulment process. We met with the parish priest to begin the process. He asked me why I wanted to become Catholic and I told him the story about how St. John Vianney followed us all around Belgium and even back home to Denver. Father Andrew reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a little red velvet bag. He carefully removed the contents and handed it to me. Inside a small glass case was a piece of bone from St. John Vianney. Father Andrew said, “Jerry, you are home!”
The annulment process for my case took several years to complete. Both my faith and patience were truly tested during this time. However, through prayer and I’m sure through the intercession of St. John Vianney, my annulment was finally granted and I was baptized during a small, family only gathering in St. Joseph parish church in Antwerp, Belgium. This was the same church my wife had received her confirmation and first Holy Communion in as a child. I received my first Holy Communion in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp.
In early 2024, I made the decision to begin attending Mass at my local FSSP TLM parish. Which I’ve discussed here.
While the path I’ve taken has led me to the Church, my journey is far from over. Thank you for reading.
Fratus tuus in Christo,
Jerry
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!