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Classic Catholic Converts
Classic Catholic Converts presents the compelling stories of over 25 well-known converts to Catholicism from the 19th and 20th centuries. It tells of powerful testimonials to God's grace, men and women from all walks of life in Europe and America whose search for the fullness of truth led them to the Catholic Church. It is the witness of brilliant intellectuals, social workers, scientists, authors, film producers, clergy, businessmen, artists and others who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, studied and prayed their way into the Church.
Fr. Charles Connor writes insightful and wonderfully readable stories of a rich variety of converts who struggled greatly with many challenges as they embraced Catholicism, including rejection by loved ones, persecution from strangers, and misunderstanding by peers. But, once they responded to God's call, they experienced great inner peace, contentment and joy. Among the famous converts whose stories are told here include John Henry Newman, Edith Stein, Jacques Maritain, Dorothy Day, G.K. Chesterton, Elizabeth Seton, Karl Stern, Ronald Knox and many more.
Fr. Charles Connor writes insightful and wonderfully readable stories of a rich variety of converts who struggled greatly with many challenges as they embraced Catholicism, including rejection by loved ones, persecution from strangers, and misunderstanding by peers. But, once they responded to God's call, they experienced great inner peace, contentment and joy. Among the famous converts whose stories are told here include John Henry Newman, Edith Stein, Jacques Maritain, Dorothy Day, G.K. Chesterton, Elizabeth Seton, Karl Stern, Ronald Knox and many more.
220 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 24, 2024
AN EXCELLENT ACCOUNT OF THE CONVERSIONS OF MANY FAMOUS WRITERS, AND OTHER PUBLIC FIGURES
Fr. Charles Connor, a Church historian, is the host of several 13-part series on EWTN, and is the author of books such as 'Meditations On The Catholic Priesthood,' 'John Cardinal O'Connor and the Culture of Life,' 'The Saint for the Third Millennium: St Therese of Lisieux,' 'The Spiritual Legacy of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen,' etc.
In this 2001 book he covers persons such as Edith Seton; John Henry Newman; Edith Stein; G.K. Chesterton; Jacques Maritain; Karl Stern; Dorothy Day; Malcolm Muggeridge, and many more,
He notes that as a young Anglican, John Henry Newman "had a deep conversion experience. He took a private vow of celibacy, began taking frequent communion in the Anglican Church, prayed regularly, and meditated often on Scripture. This formed the pattern for a very holy life, so holy, in fact, that most people would be quite surprised to discover his lifelong inner struggles with such things as pride, self-esteem, and the continuous control of his temper." (Pg. 36) He adds, “Newman’s conversion was very much an intellectual one. He came to the Church by a thought process.” (Pg. 41)
He points out that Transcendentalist Orestes Brownson wrote a story that he "hoped would bring others to the Church, but at the same time he let it be known the methods the Church was using to attract converts were, in his view, insufficient. To those outside the Faith, the Catholic Church appeared intolerant, and little seemed to be done within the Church to correct that impression." (Pg. 65-66)
He admits of Evelyn Waugh and Graham Greene, "It is curious that both men, much as they admired the Catholic ideal in their writings, fell short of it in the reality of broken marriages. Of the two, Waugh was firmer in his commitment." (Pg. 139)
He notes that a Sister evangelizing Dorothy Day "provided her student copies of the 'Messenger of the Sacred Heart,' which Dorothy enjoyed for its doctrinally sound articles. By her own admission, she studied her catechism, prayed her Rosary, attended Mass frequently, walked on the beach... prayed spontaneously, and read The Imitation of Christ, Saint Augustine's writings, and, above all, the New Testament." (Pg. 161)
This is an excellent, very informative account of the religious lives of many famous converts to Catholicism, that will be of interest to anyone wanting such brief religious biographies.
Fr. Charles Connor, a Church historian, is the host of several 13-part series on EWTN, and is the author of books such as 'Meditations On The Catholic Priesthood,' 'John Cardinal O'Connor and the Culture of Life,' 'The Saint for the Third Millennium: St Therese of Lisieux,' 'The Spiritual Legacy of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen,' etc.
In this 2001 book he covers persons such as Edith Seton; John Henry Newman; Edith Stein; G.K. Chesterton; Jacques Maritain; Karl Stern; Dorothy Day; Malcolm Muggeridge, and many more,
He notes that as a young Anglican, John Henry Newman "had a deep conversion experience. He took a private vow of celibacy, began taking frequent communion in the Anglican Church, prayed regularly, and meditated often on Scripture. This formed the pattern for a very holy life, so holy, in fact, that most people would be quite surprised to discover his lifelong inner struggles with such things as pride, self-esteem, and the continuous control of his temper." (Pg. 36) He adds, “Newman’s conversion was very much an intellectual one. He came to the Church by a thought process.” (Pg. 41)
He points out that Transcendentalist Orestes Brownson wrote a story that he "hoped would bring others to the Church, but at the same time he let it be known the methods the Church was using to attract converts were, in his view, insufficient. To those outside the Faith, the Catholic Church appeared intolerant, and little seemed to be done within the Church to correct that impression." (Pg. 65-66)
He admits of Evelyn Waugh and Graham Greene, "It is curious that both men, much as they admired the Catholic ideal in their writings, fell short of it in the reality of broken marriages. Of the two, Waugh was firmer in his commitment." (Pg. 139)
He notes that a Sister evangelizing Dorothy Day "provided her student copies of the 'Messenger of the Sacred Heart,' which Dorothy enjoyed for its doctrinally sound articles. By her own admission, she studied her catechism, prayed her Rosary, attended Mass frequently, walked on the beach... prayed spontaneously, and read The Imitation of Christ, Saint Augustine's writings, and, above all, the New Testament." (Pg. 161)
This is an excellent, very informative account of the religious lives of many famous converts to Catholicism, that will be of interest to anyone wanting such brief religious biographies.
April 7, 2025
Wide survey of a variety of converts. Nice introduction and easy approach.
May 8, 2008
This is must reading for those who are struggling with Faith, Catholic or non-Catholic. It is also excellent reading for Catholics strong in their Faith.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews