Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog

I’ve had a few different names in my life. Birth name: Sarah Elizabeth Caplin New legal name after baptism: Sarahbeth Caplin New last name after marriage And now, this Divine Mercy Sunday, another one: Joan, after Joan of Arc. My confirmation saint who has been leading me to Christ since I was ten years old.… Continue reading Rome sweet home

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Last weekend, a chunk of my OCIA class were baptized at the Easter Vigil, and became Catholic. This weekend, on Divine Mercy Sunday, another group of us who have already been validly baptized will be confirmed.  At tonight’s class, we broke into discussion groups to share how we’re feeling during these final days before Coming… Continue reading Reflections during my final week as a Protestant

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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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