Welcome Home: The Prodigal Daughter
A story of reversion, mercy, and thanksgiving for God's unwavering and ever-patient love
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Austin, TX. I thank God for this beautiful church and wonderful parish community. I will never forget how you warmly welcomed me back to the faith after straying away for over a decade. Lord, praise you for your gift of reversion! May many more come running back home to you!
When I knelt down at church for the first time after not having attended mass for several years, I thought I’d feel nothing because I was so undeserving.
But I was wrong.
As soon as I faced the crucifix and bowed my head to pray, all I felt was the awesome grace of God pour over me.
Though I knelt silently and shamefully for abandoning my faith, I wondered why I still felt so welcome.
How could I still feel so much love here - inside the very same Catholic Church I abandoned for so long?
Instead of shame and sorrow, I first felt the peace of the Holy Spirit and God’s warm and loving grace cover my heart.
I felt His immediate love, compassion, acceptance, and reception for me.
For the first time in my life, I knew what it felt like to be a prodigal child.
I wept and asked for His forgiveness - for denouncing the Church, for leaving Him along the way, and for letting my cold heart block my faith.
As I stared at Jesus on the cross, mourning all the years I’ve missed with Him, I felt Christ’s invitation to let go of my unworthiness.
“Don’t you see? You’ve been protected, guided, and loved all these years, even when you didn’t want to love me back. Now rest, and remain in my love.”
How incredible, that through all those years when I was unfaithful, and unbelieving, God never turned his back away from me.
He never matched or reflected my bitterness.
I stayed on the kneeler longer for what seemed like almost an hour, stunned in silence, shocked at all this profound grace and unwavering love and unfamiliar forgiveness that felt like was patiently waiting for me all this time.
Before I got up from the pew, I made the sign of the cross slowly, with wet forgiven tears falling down my face, I heard God’s consoling and parting voice:
“I’m glad you’re here, my child. Remember, you can always come home. You never have to stay away.”
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Before I close this note, I have to extend my deepest gratitude to Fr. Ed from St. Vincent de Paul in Austin, TX for being my Confessor after a decade of departure from the faith.
Thank you Fr. Ed for not admonishing me for stubbornly leaving the Church all those years.
Instead, upon my return, thank you for smiling at me joyfully, for receiving me with open hands, and greeting me with the warmest reception.
“Welcome back home,” you gently said with a smile.
I thought for my penance, you’d give me a litany of sacrifices and acts of strict repentance to make up for my sinful straying.
Instead, you softly invited me to pray in thanksgiving for God’s enduring love and mercy!
Amazing grace!
Feeling called to come back to church? I’m praying for you! Rest in faithfulness and remember that Our Father’s loving and forgiving arms are waiting to welcome you back to the Catholic church, His house, your home.
