Prior to becoming a Catholic I was a Christmas and Easter Anglican. In 1993, I started university. When I left home, my mother said to me, Even if you aren't that interested, go to a church. You'll make friends there. I'm a very shy person when in the company of people I don't know so this seemed like good advice. The only question was which church to go to as I was leaving London to travel to Dundee in Scotland. I ended up at St. Paul's Episcopal church in the city centre. I can't remember why I chose it as there were others closer to my halls of residence at West Park on the opposite side of town. The church looked beautiful and was all smells and bells, which I love; however, I must have loved them back then, too; though not from experience (my parents' church was evangelical).
My mother was absolutely right. I met a student couple at St. Paul's who took me under their wing, and after the Sunday service for the whole of my first year, fed me at their flat. A great kindness. In the summer of 1995, I became interested in the idea of Catholicism. It was an intellectual interest at first. Where it came from, well, if not the Holy Spirit then I don't know, but it endured, and when I went back to Dundee to start my third year (of four), I mentioned it to a student friend who happened to be a Catholic. He offered to take me to the Catholic Society's (CatSoc's) first meeting. I was very grateful for his offer as by myself I would probably have not gone. In the course of my life I have missed out on numerous events because I was too shy to go by myself. However, at the last minute, he was unable to make it. What was I to do? I wanted to go. I really wanted to go! So I did. By myself. A big moment.
A big moment from which I never looked back. One thing let to another and at the Easter Vigil in 1996, I was received into the Church. Being a Catholic is not easy. The Faith makes requirements of us that can be very difficult to fulfil. Other Catholics can make one wonder, Why am I here? In the last 29 years, however, I have not once regretted my decision. It hasn't always been easy, but it is wonderful.
I owe my faith to many people: parents, family, friends, priests, the university Catholic chaplain (Monsignor Ken McBride) among others, but the two people who started me on my way were Simon Copland, the student who offered to take me to the CatSoc and Christine McCrudden, a parishioner of St. Andrew's Cathedral, where my reception eventually took place. I knew Simon only briefly as we were on different courses and didn't have much to connect us beyond the Faith but as I have said, without his offer I might never have taken the first step. Sadly, he died in 2003. I remember him often in my prayers and hope that he prays for me. I shall never forget his dignified manner and booming voice! Christine was a saint, and it was she who instructed me and her future daughter-in-law in the Faith together. We stayed in close touch until I left Dundee in 2000. Unfortunately, we then fell out of touch for many years: I let life get in the way. When we reconnected, however, the friendship-in-Christ was still all there. How I wish I could have turned back the clock, though, for she was a very loving and compassionate person. You'll notice I am speaking of her in the past tense. Alas, she died in January 2023. I miss her a lot but again, pray for her, and I know that she prays for me.
I didn't mean to talk about my conversion, but there we are, and there it is. I started the Fratelli Tutti blog in 2006. I won't say much about it here as I covered it in this post. I studied English Language and Literature at university. My favourite courses were Anglo-Saxon and Medieval English. In the early 2000s, a friend got me into ancient Roman history and then Alexander the Great. To this day, I love reading and writing about Alexander. I even have a podcast about him!
When it comes to Catholicism, my favourite saints are St. John the Evangelist and St. Mary Magdalene. John for his piercing insight, Mary for coming back to the Lord despite her sinfulness. Christine introduced me to St. John Henry Newman and the Carmelites so they are all special to me as well. Pope St. John Paul II was the reigning pontiff when I joined the Church so he also holds a special place in my heart. As does Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis who, at the time of writing this, has just died - in fact we are just a week away from the conclave to elect his successor - was a funny one. I really appreciated his kindness to LGBTQ+ people but deplored his antagonism towards those who love the Extra Ordinary Form of the Mass. I like the Old Rite but am happy myself to attend the Novus Ordo. I grieve, however, for the hurt his measures have done to friends for whom the EF Mass was special beyond words. I don't know who will be the next pope and don't mind. I'll support and pray for him whoever it is.
Apart from the saints mentioned above, I am coming to appreciate St. Francis of Assisi more and more (hence the name of the blog). Also, Bl. Chiara Luce Badano.
Since returning to London in 2000 I have done nearly everything there is to do in my parish church. Reader, website manager, parish council, serving. I am currently back serving every week. What a blessing it is to be able to do such a thing!
Finally, I would like to add that I have done three things in my life which among all the things stand out the most. First is becoming a Catholic. The second was obtaining my degree. For four years I was convinced I would fail. The third was walking the Camino de Santiago. It was the most magical month of my life. I kept a diary and wrote about it on my personal blog here. I finished the walk six years ago but barely a day has gone by since when I haven't thought about it.
Speaking of my personal blog, here are the principle places that you can find me on-line should you wish to do so.
Sehnsuchtandwine - musings about arts, religion, politics etc
Alexander the Great - writing about Alexander, his life and times
- IG: @thesecondachilles
- Fb: Alexander the Great Page
Spearpoint - podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RSS Feed, and blog
Malcolm
May 2025
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