My Journey Exploring Catholicism: A Week of Faith and Reflection

“There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church" - Fulton Sheen

Beyond all the recent hype about the Pope, the Church to so many people remains a mystery. Catholicism is the fullness of truth, and yet misconceptions often cloud people’s view of that truth.

For non-Catholics, there’s a curiosity: What is the Church actually like on the inside?

And for many Catholics, there’s a different kind of curiosity: How do those outside the Church see us?

But what would happen if someone tried to just experience it for themselves, even for one week? To simply poke their head inside the Church, and see what really goes on.

That's why today, I've had the privilege of doing a Q&A with a woman who has done exactly that. 

Though raised without religion, Alison felt drawn to God from a young age. At 15, she chose to be baptised into the Catholic Church. Now, Alison is on a mission to explore the beliefs that influence the way we live.

In this Q&A, she opens up about how this one week shaped her spiritually, the saints and sacraments that moved her, and what Catholics (and non-Catholics) might gain from a return to silence, presence, and prayer.

This is what she learned from her week as a 'devout Catholic.'

What was your faith journey like growing up Catholic, and why did you decide to start the religion experiment?

My parents chose to raise me without a faith, despite both of them being Catholic. They were no longer practicing due to negative experiences with the Church. However, even though I was raised without religion, I still felt a connection to God. My favourite show when I was young was Little House on the Prairie, and I used to pray “just like Laura Ingalls” at night. I loved going to church with my Nanna, and when I was 15, I made the choice to get baptised into the Catholic faith. This intentional choice is something I will always look back on fondly. I knew what I was getting myself into, and that made it feel all the more special.

How did you spend your week as a Catholic?

During my Catholic week, I really leaned into traditional practices and rituals that helped me feel connected to God in a quiet, personal way. Each night, I prayed the rosary and spent time reading the Bible. I attended Mass on Friday, received the Eucharist, and even made a confession. I blessed myself with holy water, spent intentional time in silence, like driving without music to create space for prayer, and tried to live out “love thy neighbour” by showing extra love to those around me. I also reflected on the life of Pope Francis, toured a church, researched the sacraments, and read about different saints. Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday was a big part of the week too. What I’ll carry forward most is that deep sense of togetherness with God. Those quiet, prayerful moments when it’s just you and Him—no pressure to evangelise or perform—just presence. That felt really special.

 

St Francis de Sales calls the rosary the “greatest method of praying.” What was your experience like praying the rosary?

I found it to be a peaceful, mindful, and meditative practice. You were fortunate enough to experience Divine Mercy Sunday. What was it like, and how did this feast day impact your perceptions of God? Divine Mercy Sunday was a beautiful and humbling experience. The focus on God’s infinite mercy really opened my heart. As I reflected on my own imperfections, I found comfort in the idea that God’s mercy is endless and unconditional. It felt like a fresh invitation to embrace His love, no matter what. Spending time in silence can be confronting for many people today. What did silence open up for you spiritually? It strengthened that connection between God and me. Silence didn’t feel like silence—it felt like alone time for God.

If you could pick one saint you were particularly drawn to this week, who would it be and why?

I felt especially drawn to Saint Rita, who is also my confirmation saint. Her life was filled with hardship, such as an abusive marriage, the loss of her sons, and years of suffering. But through it all, she remained deeply devoted to God. Her unwavering faith in the face of pain is something I find incredibly inspiring. She reminds me that no matter what challenges we face, we can still choose to lean into God with trust and love.

 

St Augustine wrote that “our heart is restless until it rests in you.” How did this week help you achieve a deep sense of inner peace?

This week, I found a deep sense of meditative peace while surfing. Being out in the ocean, surrounded by God’s creation, made me feel incredibly grounded and present. There’s something sacred about saltwater, silence, and waves that puts your soul at ease. I also felt that same prayerful peace in the quiet presence of the Church. Both spaces—nature and the sanctuary—became places where my restless heart could finally rest in Him. What did you take away most from your week as a Catholic? What I will take with me is the sense of togetherness with God. Those quiet, prayerful moments when it’s just you and Him—no need to evangelise, just the emphasis on your personal connection with God.

 

Was there anything that surprised you or challenged your expectations about Catholicism?

 For something that surprised me was how individual this religion is. I didn’t realise how much evangelising occurred in other religions until I began exploring them. This has made me appreciate my Catholic faith even deeper.

 

What can Catholics learn from other religions?

I think every religion has something of value to teach everybody in the world. Catholics can learn about the community of LDS, the willingness to talk about their faith from Jehovah’s Witnesses, the emphasis on selfless sharing from Sikhs, mystery from Orthodox Christianity, and the interconnectedness of life from Buddhism.

 

If someone else were considering revisiting their Catholic faith, what would you want to say to them?

Do it for you. This is a relationship between you and God. The Catholic Church unfortunately has ruined people’s experiences with the faith. But the church is there to support your individual relationship with God through sacraments and services. Nothing is performative, it is all between yourself and God.

 

 

One week wasn’t enough to answer every question, but it was enough to reveal something beautiful: that the Catholic faith is far more personal, peaceful, and profound than many think.

If you’ve been curious about Catholicism—whether you’re inside or outside the Church—don’t let misconceptions be your only lens. Go deeper. Step in. Ask questions. Sit in silence.

Like St Andrew and Alison today, to learn we need to "come and see". And even in that little gap we've opened to God, he can work in our lives.

You don’t need a perfect faith to begin, just a willing heart.

 

Thanks so much, Alison for your insights!

God Bless,

Virtue Books