Conversion and Celebrity.
Public sinners.
In the history of the Church, there have been many public conversions of notorious sinners and atheists, going back to the Magdalen - if you accept she was the woman caught in adultery - anyway, you get the idea. Among the “greats” in my saints who were sinners gallery are Margaret of Cortona, the Jewish convert Alphonse Ratisbonne, and the former alcoholic Matt Talbot, to name a few. In the case of St. Margaret, she was held back from entering the Third Order of St. Francis for three years, to test the authenticity of her conversion. Alphonse Ratisbonne became a priest, while Matt Talbot led a very hidden, humble life.
What characterizes most public and private repentant sinner’s lives, is a reluctance to speak about their sins, instead they most always praise God for his mercy when they make any reference to their conversion. Two exceptions come to mind; they would be St. Augustine, who wrote his “Confessions” and Teresa of Avila, who wrote her Autobiography - under obedience and not for public consumption. Generally, sinners don’t ‘celebrate’ their sins after they repent.
Public conversions.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than many righteous who have no need to do so. Hence, we know the great joy that envelops the soul of the repentant sinner, and the glory this gives to God. However, the experience of conversion is an ongoing process, not just a one time deal. Our conversion of manners evolves, often amidst many temptations to return to our former way of life. We are often tried and tested when we come to serve the Lord. To celebrate one’s conversion publicly can be dangerous, if not precipitous, no matter how dramatic the event.
Very simply, if a reversal, or any backsliding occurs, the person is not only publicly embarrassed, but others may be scandalized, and it may occasion scorn and mockery from unbelievers. (This has happened to a few high profile Christians in the recent past.) The other danger is that the individual can take such delight in their own conversion and the honors they receive on account of it, that they become impressed with their own celebrity, albeit minor, or reputation for holiness.
The thrill of the conversion.
Today we have the example of Dawn Eden, author of “The Thrill of the Chaste”. It is an extremely relevant book as regards chastity for contemporary men and women, no doubt about that. The great thing about the book is that it may reach the otherwise unreachable ”urban” woman with a message that could liberate her from the dissatisfaction of an unchaste life. Ms. Eden has received a great deal of notice for the book, as well as her blog, which pretty much chronicles her day to day life and opinion. This type of personal testimony on her part is typical of the times, nevertheless, it sometimes seems rather indiscreet, as well as lacking the test of time - that is, perseverance in a way of life that is relatively new to her. This isn’t a criticism, but an observation.
She has not been a Catholic for very long, and her path to Catholicism has been a mosaic of various spirituality’s and religious views. Her mother, who was a convert to Catholicism is now a member of another Christian denomination. The danger here, is that Roman Catholicism could simply be just another trend in a trendy life. I know many people who were once extremely devout and enthusiastic Catholics - for a time - wherein they enjoyed a certain “lime-light” due to a remarkable conversion, although later, left the Church.
Staying power.
One of the women I refer to was born and raised in the Jewish faith, experimented with Protestantism, and then became Catholic. She had been fawned over by priests and nuns, only later to leave the Church and became Protestant. Another woman, strongly into Wicca, mesmerized a priest and his following because of her dramatic conversion, only to return to the “Craft” after her popularity waned. What does the parable of the sower and the seed tell us about this phenomenon? The seed that sprouts quickly, dies off due to the various obstacles it encounters in its growth. Which happens to be my point here.
I’m not criticizing Ms. Eden’s conversion, nor her book - although it reads pretty “Sex In the City” - other’s have called it vulgar - but that is popular culture, and Ms. Eden is writing for that audience. God bless her for it, because she can reach many people through this book.
Nevertheless, I’m often surprised by her fans and the celebrity they accord her, as well as her apparent delight with her new-found career in the God-business. We live in a time when our religious and spiritual lives have become a marketable commodity. Undoubtedly, Paul’s words to Timothy ring true today - “There is great gain in religion…” Contemporary writing is certainly a vibrant form of witness to the faith, yet in some instances it can seem to approach a tendency towards immodest self-promotion.
Marketing and pop-Cath icons.
Practicing Catholics are not immune to the cult of celebrity, nor the marketing of religious writers who fit into all the Catholic trends. Dawn Eden seems to tell the world you can indeed be hip and Catholic - or, that it is hip to be Catholic. A few popular Catholic writers seem to suggest the same thing. It’s not a bad thing, since many people may thus be attracted to the Catholic faith in and through their writing.
Dawn Eden has an interesting interview on Busted Halo, in which we get a pretty good glimpse into her life and journey to the Catholic Church. It is well worth the read. Will success spoil Dawn Eden’s faith? Let’s hope not. However, I think she can surely use our prayers more than awards.
July 7th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I understand your concerns here. I have considered posting my own reversion story, and against the good it may do, my two most significant concerns are that it may go to my head (one reason I call it “The Blog Nobody Reads” and refuse to add any sort of traffic monitoring to it) and that I’m falling into scrupulosity by worrying so much about pride.
I’m going to keep thinking about it for a while. Papa Ben uses patience a lot; no reason not to follow his example.
July 7th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Ark - I think the witness of one’s conversion to others is always edifying - and may inspire others to seek God’s grace and mercy. The danger lies in thinking the accolades are for ourselves, rather than the grace and mercy of God. Discretion and prudence is also called for in discussing one’s past sins with others.
July 7th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Terry, you bring up many interesting points. I do not know much about Miss Eden, and I have not read her book, so my comment is not aimed at her. I agree with you that too often new converts are given too much celebrity only to be let down when their initial fervor and others’ interest in them wears off, as it eventually does.
I had a dear friend who was lionized when she converted, just by people in the parish, who disowned her when they found out her sins, her flaws and that she was still struggling as a new convert. They had made a saint of her because she had adopted nine children, but she wasn’t a saint yet– how could she be, she was just beginning. She persevered in spite of everything, but it caused her great suffering and temptation.
I think that more prudence and caution needs to be exercised in this regard. I wonder if certain sensational converts are not exploited a bit by those who make their living from Catholicism. I don’t know; I am just wondering aloud…..
July 7th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Arkanabar ~ Have you ever considered that such a title is in fact a “hook” to get people to read your blog, and comment in order to console you that yes, they do in fact read your blog??? Your personal intention may be one of humility, to see that title and remind yourself that “no one” is reading, when in fact, you are posting publicly. Some people respond to self-deprecating remarks, inflicting their own personal standpoint on it and you may find that comments are coming to you through the very trait you are trying to avoid - pride.
I think you SHOULD post your conversion story. It does glorify God, as long as He is the focus, and you never know who is reading who may see your very words and in them, a reflection of themselves. It may be something that leads them to God. Don’t tell it worrying about Pride or anything else…just tell your story. Give the glory to God, for it is all his.
I am here by God’s grace alone…he lead me on a journey I would not have taken of my own accord, but I don’t regret a single step, in looking back. It’s amazing what God can do, even when we’re not paying attention. Sometimes we just have to take a step back, remove ourselves, and then we can finally see what really happened…and THEN write about it.
Hope that made sense!
Terry ~ I’m with you on the pop-icons thing. For my part, I actually get “itchy” at popular blogs; I get the sense that people comment not so much becuse they agree or disagree, but because they want to be seen at a “happening” spot. I don’t mean to paint every commenter as such, not in any way, but when visiting some of those blogs or websites, I often have the same feeling I get when walking into a trendy restaurant or bar.
I don’t mean to denigrate the author of those blogs/sites in any way…what they have to say is valuable, and hopefully, of those who are converts/reverts, they will remain. As I am myself a revert of sorts, I also hope to remain. However, I never enjoyed a “celebrity” status as my conversion took a long time, I’m “nobody” in the Catholic world (Thank God, I couldn’t stand the scrutiny!), and I’m really no different than the vast majority of Catholic converts/reverts who have emerged from a period of confusion and questioning. I pray to God that my own conversion “sticks”.
Great post!
July 7th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Thanks Elena and Julie - you both have added well to this post.
Again, I’ve written from my own experience in this area as well. A year or two into my conversion - way back when, a priest wanted me to write my story for a Catholic magazine - I did so under a pseudonym - but
many people knew who I was and many letters from people who didn’t know me ensued - the article was subsequently republished again by other magazines in GB and Canada - when I had relapsed for a time.
The very minor celebrity I enjoyed moved me to believe the attention my conversion garnered was for myself - which is an extremely dangerous thing for someone inexperienced in the spiritual life. The praise from priests and religious at the time was rather seductive.
Gratefully, Our Lord moved me to a deeper repentance and here I am - but only by the grace and mercy of God.
This is pretty much why I wrote this post.
July 7th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Driving home today, I was thinking how wonderful it must be to be a convert since many seem to have such zeal, passion and knowledge of the Faith (compared to my uncatechised and luke-warm Cradle Catholicism). Your post made me remember I should be glad to be where God put me and happy with what He has given me (I used to get this from Father Welzbacher in the confessional, too). So, I guess it’s good advice. We all have to work out our salvation from where we are planted.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
I’ve not read the book, but I did listen to a radio interview with Dawn Eden and she spoke of the last time that she had masturbated being only 8 months or so prior to the interview. Too much information, thank you.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
ukok - actually - that was another point I wanted to make in this post - way too much information - indiscreet and vulgar. Thanks for adding that.
July 8th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
“…the experience of conversion is an ongoing process, not just a one time deal. Our conversion of manners evolves, often amidst many temptations to return to our former way of life…”
AMEN to that! This has always been on my mind when I read/hear one of those miraculous and out of your mind conversions. They all seem to say “look at what a horrible soul I was and look at me now! It’s like they arrived.
I always wonder what about us, the ones that had a conversion but still need to convert every day? And I’m always hoping to hear a conversion in which the person admits the struggle, and acknowleges “I’m here because of the grace of God”. I guess Fr. Corapi is like that. He is so real.
Great post.
July 8th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Just Me - You are correct, as usual. Also, Fr, Corapi is one of the very best examples of a contemporary conversion - his witness is amazing, while he has been tried and tested in the process and is a wonderful missionary to American Catholics. There is such an incredible difference between him and those making a career of their new found faith.