Being Catholic is cool again

Friday, February 5th, 2016

When I was 17 years old I wanted to convert to Buddhism.

Raised by a Catholic family and forced to attend religious education classes until I was almost 13, I’d had enough of what I perceived to be an overly-conservative institution that relied on “Catholic guilt” and strict adherence to doctrine.

So, I sought out a way to be spiritual; a way to be a good person without being handed a rule book on how to do it. Buddhism seemed like it fulfilled this need.

However, a year later I found myself a college freshman on the campus of one of the largest Jesuit universities. A year after that, I was confirmed in the Catholic Church, marking a complete 180 from my momentary fling with Buddhism.

Despite my own spiritual journey back to Catholicism—a journey which is similar to that of many other young adults, many media reporters are claiming Millennials, such as myself, are rejecting religion in droves.

If anything, Millennials are aligning themselves with a new and perhaps more effective way of practicing their faith.

As a 22 year old on a Catholic campus, I would say Millennials are even more in touch with their faith than any other generation.

For me and my peers, Catholicism takes on a range of different forms, from participation in mass and religious-affiliated student organizations to a fierce dedication to service work.

My personal faith manifests itself in what I do for those around me. I take part in my campus’ Labre organization, which provides food and friendly conversation to people experiencing homelessness in Chicago.

Although I may not find myself in a pew every Sunday, I find God in quiet prayer on the beach while the sun rises and in discussions with my friends about the issues facing the world today. Continue reading