I truly remember next to nothing about the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Catholicism and certainly the new pope was not on my mind. But  my how things have changed!

This time, I am completely and utterly fascinated, maybe even too much so :). It reminds me of March Madness with games of my favorite teams up while I try to work. I discovered EWTN, which I had come across on some level in the past year but didn’t realize it was entire TV channel. How exciting! I found it on our cable network (Catholic programming 24/7!) and have all the conclave coverage running live on my computer during key ceremonies and voting times, including the Smoke Cam (yes there’s a smoke cam!).

Why I am so excited? Because I am about to become Catholic. I am a mere 17 days away. As the new pope is chosen, so will I be chosen among the elect to be Catholic and how special and historic that is. This pope will be MY pope.  I can follow his papacy from the start along with the start of my Catholic journey. I am so anxious to learn about him and watch as he leads the world (and me!) in persona Christi.

How lucky I am to witness this event on the eve of my confirmation. The election of a pope happens so rarely and what amazement of this timing and what joy this Easter!

Are you following the coverage of the conclave? Are you like me — running it on your computer while you work ;-)? Well, I’d better get back to my EWTN programming — another vote is coming soon!

I have always been a mystical person, believing in signs and of works beyond this world. So I suppose it’s not really a surprise how much I have already “felt” from my confirmation saint, Saint Therese, but in another way to find mysticism in Catholicism was a surprise to me. That was not something I was expecting.

I made the decision a few weeks ago to choose St. Therese of Lisieux as my confirmation saint and have been praying to her ever since. She has unequivocally let me know she’s heard my prayers. What a blessing!

Let me share with you…

In a post a couple weeks ago I shared my first rose. But there have been many more since.

During one of the “scrutinies” (a ceremonial blessing as part of becoming Catholic) I needed my sponsor to be there, but my husband, who was filling in, had to be home with our sick child and I did not have enough time to come up with someone else. I sat there in the pew before mass nervous about what I would do. Lo and behold, right in front of me sat “Theresa” who had lead our RCIA group in the past. I immediately felt I should ask her and I quickly did before mass. Problem solved. Thanks St. Therese!

Another… during my RCIA class a fellow candidate shared a story of seeing a statue of St. Therese (not sure if it was the same one) shedding tears.

Another… After a prayer to dear St. Therese, I opened my email to find an email from a “Therese” (spelled the same).

Another… my mother-in-law, who passed in September, but who was to be my sponsor and who was a huge role model for me, chose as her confirmation saint St. Rose of Lima (note, the “rose” — St. Therese is associated with roses).

Another… St. Therese was featured on a worksheet from my younger son’s religious education class Sunday.

And they go on… Maybe this is wishful thinking but I choose to believe it’s sweet St. Therese letting me know she hears me and is praying for me. Tremendous…

In one of my RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults/classes to join the Catholic church) classes this morning, our facilitator asked in reference to one of the scripture readings of today “What had cultivated our call to Catholicism?”  The scripture referred to the parable of the fig tree that after three years had not produced fruit. It was given one more year, with lots of cultivation, just as we, too, are given second chances by God but must produce “fruit” in order to be saved.

That got me to thinking… While I definitely do feel “called” due to the complete change in my beliefs in the last year or so, it made me realize a lot of things have led me to this point all through my life.

So what “cultivated” Catholicism in me? What prepared me to fully jump in with both feet at the age of 38? Here’s a list of some of the things that come to mind over my life:

• My father and his parents (my grandparents), who have always been religious, and made sure I was baptized and exposed to religion, waiting until the time I was ready to accept it.  They were consistent and steady without being pushy.
• Wonderful role models like my grandparents (same as above) and in-laws who demonstrated humility, unending kindness, simplicity, gratitude, generosity and love.
• The former priest down the road and his family who took me to a Christian church with them every Sunday during my middle school years.
• A longtime friend who always unknowingly provided a word of encouragement from a distance at so many times when I needed and the sense of acceptance and support provided.
• A father who gave me confidence and belief in myself.
• A supporting husband who introduced me to Catholicism and the fond memories it evokes in him — and now the joy it gives me.
• The many wonderful people on my recent journey to Catholicism who’ve answered my many questions, lent an ear, discussed my concerns, and provided support, reassurance and prayers!

This is just a start but today’s question  showed me that perhaps God is starting to put all the puzzle pieces of my life together. Perhaps he’s been working on me for quite some time and decided now was the time in my life to call me to him after all the preparation work he’s done. I still have a long road ahead toward continual conversion of my way of life to better conform to Jesus’ example but I’ve come quite a long way already… I don’t see why I can’t go ahead and finish the marathon one day.