Interview with convert and student Lauren LaMore

This Easter season, approximately 50 individuals were initiated into the Catholic Church at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and family of faculty and staff from Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College began RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults] in September, meeting every Sunday for class before Mass. Lauren LaMore was one of the students confirmed this year.

Why did you decide to become a Catholic?

God moves in mysterious ways, not to be cliché. [I began to] learn more about my friends’ faith, and how it works, [discerning] a relationship with Christ that functions even if you can’t see it, as opposed to a Protestant faith, which seems to be more vocal, more visible. Catholics have an interior faith.

How do you feel about this decision?

I feel wonderful.  The RCIA journey has been transformative for me; I think about my faith a lot more deeply than before. It’s always been so important to me, but now I’m learning about the specifics of it.  [The family aspect is] Catholicism’s defining feature. Everyone is so welcoming.

How do you see yourself as a Catholic?

I never had a chance to develop a strong Christian family before.  Now, I can see my face being part of one of those posters with a picture made of a lot of peoples’ faces.  All of these people, this is the Catholic Church.  There are people all over the world that I’ve never met, but I know they’re my family.  The Church family has been here for centuries, and it is still growing and is still strong.

What religion did you profess before your conversion?

I preferred to call myself a “Christ-follower.”  To me, this implies action, as opposed to just a culture or tradition, such as general Protestantism or Catholicism.  I came from the influence of a lot of different backgrounds, churches, youth groups…but I didn’t identify with any one of them.  And, it’s what I still call myself, in the end.  Following Christ is the important part.

What do you find to be the most attractive part of the Catholic faith?

Its historical roots.  You can trace everything back to Jesus.  We all know there were little missteps in the Church, throughout history, but it was all a growing experience.

What was the hardest part in the decision?

Making the actual choice.  I came from a Protestant hometown, and my friends and family at home really support me in my faith journey, but a lot of them were really worried when I told them about this.  They asked me questions, which challenged me to reflect on this decision more, to understand it better and make sure it’s what I really wanted.

Do you have any advice for anyone who is contemplating joining the Church?

If you don’t understand something in Catholic tradition, for example the Eucharist, the best thing to do is to pray to God and ask for his help.  He’s the one who forms and shapes your heart, and he’ll guide you to his will.  You don’t want to force yourself to believe something; if you ask God, really, truly praying about it, you’ll understand more clearly and be more at peace about it.

Lauren LaMore is a senior French and history double-major who enjoys doing random social experiments.  Congratulate her on entering the Church at llamore@nd.edu.