Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog

David Kent was born three weeks early on February 11th, 2026: two days after the 70th birthday of his namesake, my late father David Caplin (this is the completely scientific reason I knew immediately we were having a boy: a February due date). Since I was induced (thanks to complications with gestational diabetes and cholestasis),… Continue reading A most redemptive birth story

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Chick Fil A is known as much for the CEO’s Christian beliefs as its chicken sandwiches. In-n-Out Burger has Bible verses printed on their cups and bags. Nearly every storefront window in my college town displays a pride flag or “Free Palestine” message. At some point, it gets a little exhausting. Do I really need… Continue reading This is the new purity test of our era

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I read with interest – and a bit of sadness – the following article from The Free Press: “What I’ve Learned From Watching People Wait to Have Children” by maternal-fetal medicine physician Sarah Poggi (the article is behind a paywall, but you can read a condensed version on Instagram).  As the title suggests, Poggi describes… Continue reading I have minimal regrets as a “geriatric mom”

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Recently I came across this post from a Catholic I follow on X: The context is about how Catholics supposedly “over complicate” worship, adding in all these unnecessary requirements like mandatory mass (including certain holy days of obligation), going to confession, participating in the Eucharist, etc. The Protestant view of discipleship is far simpler: focus… Continue reading “Catholics have convoluted Christianity with tradition”

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The first time I ever prayed a Hail Mary was during my miscarriage. With my own mother 1500 miles away, I needed to be mothered: particularly by someone who also experienced the pain of child loss.  One year later, in active labor with my daughter for several days, every contraction felt like it would break… Continue reading There’s something about Mary

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Two of the most common questions I get on this Rome-ward journey: what does your Protestant husband think of all this? And what about your Anglican church family? It’s truly a testament to my husband’s patience and faithfulness that he’s tolerated so many versions of me over the last almost 11 years of marriage. We… Continue reading A tale of two church families

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When I think of the people who led me to Christ by faithful example, I naturally think of those I’ve actually met: classmates, mostly. A few older, mentor-like figures.. But that “communion of saints” also includes those who finished the race before me, in previous eras.  For me, one of those pivotal figures was Joan… Continue reading The communion of saints who led me home

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Part 2 of the Coming Home series. As a columnist for my campus newspaper, I wrote an article during the month of “Sextober” (yes, for real) questioning the effects of birth control on the female body: is it really healthy to shut down the entire reproductive system, just to avoid the natural occurrence of pregnancy?… Continue reading Coming home: The appeal of a consistent sexual ethic

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After months of speculation, I’m finally going to start writing about the reasons I am becoming Catholic. The truth is, much like my conversion to Christianity from Judaism, there isn’t one single reason I can condense into a 30-second response to curious friends and followers. So I’m going to start cataloging the “explanation posts” here,… Continue reading On coming home: the Eucharist

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I was pregnant when the attacks of October 7th happened; postpartum one year later; and am pregnant once more on this two-year anniversary. That is to say, I’ve been more emotional on these occasions than usual, although the horrific slaughter of innocents is a lot for anyone to process. But the faces of the two… Continue reading How does anyone survive the unthinkable?

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