Peter Laffin on Preaching the Gospel with Words More Often

"My beautiful and grace-filled wife and I got married last month. The best part of the reception is when you stand back together and watch family and friends intermingling at last, drinking wine and dancing like clowns having a 'fun' contest. It was a glimpse into Heaven. And they were angels in up-lighting.

"My friends thought the occasion looked good on me, too. Especially the ones I hadn't seen in a while. And what are you doing with a wife who looks like that? they teased. I stood guilty as charged.

"But they were even more struck by the overt Catholicity of the ceremony, held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich, Connecticut. I'd converted to Catholicism from atheism in my mid-20s (I'm 39 now). This wasn't news to anyone, but few expected the faith to take center stage on a day that was ostensibly about my wife and me. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Peter Laffin reflected on the importance of using words to follow up on our example of living the faith, keeping a "closer lookout for evangelical opportunities as they present themselves" and, "when the door cracks open in conversation," "help the other swing it open so the light can pour in."

To access Mr. Laffin's complete essay, please visit:

The Catholic Thing: Preach the Gospel: Use Words More Often (9 OCT 22)