Why I Became Catholic with Debbie Warrier
I come from a Buddhist family and was into ancestral worship.
So as well as praying to Buddha in the temple, we worshipped our grandparents and great grandparents by making an annual offering to them on the anniversary of their deaths as a way of remembering them. Afterwards, the whole extended family gathers for a meal.
My mother was familiar with Catholicism because she was from a village in Vietnam where everyone was Catholic except for her family. As a child, I remember going with my friends to their church despite not really understanding what was going on.
I migrated to Australia in 1984 and married in 2001. My husband is Catholic. Initially, this was an issue for my parents but they came to accept it. I mainly decided to become Catholic because of my family. I wanted to enquire about the religion to help my kids understand their faith. However, as I went along the RCIA journey I decided I liked to pray to God and Jesus. Through prayer, I felt close to them. I also began asking Mary to help me through the hard times of being a mother to three young children. It fitted with where I was going and seemed quite natural.
When I first decided to convert, I apologised to Buddha and my ancestors by praying, “I am sorry but I am thinking of becoming Catholic.” I felt like what I was about to do was a betrayal. I found that really hard and that is why it took me so long.
I spoke to a priest and he explained that my current belief was not conflicting because I could still respect Buddha and my ancestors, just not worship them like gods. I feel that my spirituality is growing instead of completely forgetting what I was brought up to do. It was a breakthrough when I found that out. I no longer feel the guilt.
Telling my parents I wanted to convert was stressful as we were such strong Buddhists. It was something that I wanted to do but I didn’t want to upset them.
I decided to ask their permission. My mother said, “It is up to you.” I wanted to confront my father personally but it was easier to have mum tell him.
In the end I thought, “I can’t do this. I have to talk to him.” I was so glad that I did. He didn’t say anything but I knew how he felt. He wishes that I didn’t convert but he accepted it. My husband was worried as well because he didn’t want his good relationship with my father to change and it hasn’t. I appreciate dad understanding and from that I realised how much he loves and respects me. Throughout my life I have always thought that there was Someone higher watching over me.
I always believed there was a God. When life worked out well unexpectedly I would think Someone is taking care of me and I couldn’t plan it any better.
I was baptised this year at the Easter Vigil Mass. It was beautiful as it is a very special time of the year. I was really glad my kids were there to witness the occasion and didn’t fall asleep. They went right through to the celebration afterwards over at the parish centre.
On my baptism candle I had inscribed as a reminder for me, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit” [John 15:5]. I believe if you try to do good in your life, have strong faith and pray, then things will work out for you eventually. All your hopes and dreams can come to fruition.