Why I'll Always Be Catholic, Even If I Leave the Church
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Why I'll Always Be Catholic, Even If I Leave the Church

It's just too beautiful to say goodbye to.

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Why I'll Always Be Catholic, Even If I Leave the Church
Alexis Paige

I don’t always see myself as a member of the Church. There are times when I feel extremely removed from my faith and my fellow Christians. I’ve debated practicing other religions. Yet, despite all of that, I am and will always be a Catholic.

This isn’t in the sense that I constantly practice the faith, but what it means is that my worldview is that of a Catholic and because I love the beauty of that worldview, I am always, despite where, who, or what I’ll be in life, a Catholic.

Catholicism shines.

Is it the best religion in the world? I don’t know. I haven’t actively researched religions outside of Christianity or grown up in other traditions.

I’m not going to pit religion against religion.

I do not think that Catholicism is the only truth to be found. It is one of many.

What stands out about Catholicism is its imagination, the way it views the world, and its approach to reason.

I was involved in youth ministry and retreats during high school. I’ve gone to Catholic/Christian schools all but one year of my life. It’s been enjoyable, mostly.

However, I went Jesuit, and it has made all the difference.

I can thank my First Year Seminar, “Catholic Imagination in Catholic Literature” and Professor Susan Abraham for that.

Here’s the thing about the Catholic Worldview/Imagination: It’s not limited to Catholics. Not even close.

Rough run-down:

The Catholic Imagination looks at each human with worth. It believes that humans do not have to do any further work to save themselves. Jesus, through his death on the cross, already has accomplished that. Trying to re-save yourself, in a Catholic worldview, is redundant. It’s a done deal, since way before your birth. Because of Jesus already having died for each and every individual in the world, each human being is imbued with inherent worth and dignity. They are born having this. The Catholic worldview also embraces the Earth and animals. We are to live in harmony with creation. All of creation has the same dignity. Yes, even the disgusting cockroach that wants to crawl across the wall (I’m working on not being so repulsed by them). Beyond that, the Catholic Imagination does not shun the world. It embraces it. Sacraments abound. A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible grace, essentially a symbol of something Divine. Catholic churches are elaborate. They have high-ceilings, and the sun shines through the stained glass. We do not shun the world, unless we’re drifting away from our Catholic roots. The Catholic Imagination calls people to use the world as a sign of something more. In the story Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, the gifting that occurs between husband and wife is a sign of something more. Birthday presents are not materialistic. It is a sign of the agape, or unconditional, love that one has for another. We live within the world, with the world, with all of creation, and with understanding of the dignity and the inherent presence of the Divine in each person.

That is the Catholic Imagination. That is why I will always be a Catholic. This worldview is the most valuable lesson I have learned in life so far. The lens it asks us to look upon the world with is so beautiful.

Again, this worldview is not limited to Catholics. In the First Year Seminar, I wrote paragraphs in which I argued that certain authors who did not identify as Catholics did indeed have a Catholic worldview.

Beyond the worldview, I appreciate the spirit of Catholicism.

There’s a certain calmness that is awe-filling. It is the same calmness that put me to sleep during an early Sunday after an all-nighter with friends. However, I did not understand the purpose of liturgy then. Instead, I looked to Baptists and saw how energized their service was (while not forgetting that it was 2 hours too long for me). I read “Confessions of a Closet Catholic” by Sarah Darer Littman and really wanted to be Jewish.

All of this was before I learned more about my religion.

The more I learn, the more I appreciate it.

I even thought about being a theology double-major because of how much I loved the study of it. It is so structured and well thought-out. It embraces reason, understands that the Bible is not literal truth, and goes from there, all the while maintaining its beautiful language and descriptions.

Beyond the imagination, I will always walk through this world as a Catholic because of the format of the religion.

While it may be wonderful that Protestantism and Pentecostalism is open to all to preach, I appreciate the study that needs to occur for the priesthood. Sure, we can argue about how women are not allowed to be priests in the Church, but we should also examine how we don’t view the sisters to be as highly regarded as the priests. Sisters are the bomb. But really- we could talk about that.

This article is not about the logistics of Roman Catholicism (I see you Eastern Orthodox, but not right now- keep singing though).

It is about how I will continue to operate in the world and why.

Throughout the past two years, I have become increasingly appreciative of people’s righteous anger at injustice. I’m frequently writing about, texting about, learning about, and discussing issues. I’m getting a Jesuit education, after all. Despite that, I feel most at peace and most at home when I am calm. I have a love-hate relationship with Gospel music, but nothing can touch my slow-moving, sway back and forth, sit and listen Catholic-style hymns.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you. I want to see you. See you high and lifted up.”

I can only imagine.

“The Lord wasn’t joking when he kicked ‘em out of Eden, it wasn’t for no reason that he shed his blood, his return is very close so you betta be believin’ that our God is an awesome God.” (my absolute favorite, favorite, favorite)

and of course,

Loyola Marymount’s own, courtesy of Trevor Thomson:

Souls united in the mystery, we belong to you.”

I belong to Catholicism. And I gladly always will.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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