the whole "professional convert" thing is very weird, obviously, but a part of me gets why someone would take that path

it was very clearly communicated to me when I was growing up that Catholicism was a cult and anyone saved through the Church was so *in spite of it*

and when I think about saints and holy people both ancient and modern who learned such a great love for Christ and their neighbors *through* the Catholic faith, it is incredibly painful to remember what I was once taught about Catholics

it's overwhelming to think about all the lies that were told and are still being perpetuated, and you don't know what to do about it

started crying when I visited Lisieux for the first time walking through the little exhibit about St Therese's life because like

i was taught that the Catholic Church was *evil*, and all I saw in that room was a wholehearted devotion to loving God

anyway I'm rewatching the documentary about Sr Clare Crockett and those feelings are hitting me with full force all over again