Growing up, being Catholic was something I took for granted. I’ve gone to Mass since before I can remember. I was baptized, received the Eucharist, went to Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and youth ministry and got confirmed. I prayed when I thought I should, gave up something during lent and tried to think about what Jesus would do when I made decisions. I always knew that religion was an important part of my life, but it wasn’t until its absence that I realized it was an essential part of me. 

During my first few weeks as a college freshman, I had plenty of things to get adjusted to, and unfortunately, I didn’t prioritize religion as one of them. I didn’t even know if there was a Catholic church on campus, much less where it was or what time. As the semester went on, I started to realize that something was missing. I felt sad. I felt lonely. 

Something was different, and I couldn’t quite figure out why. I thought it might be family or home or friends or love. Turns out, it was all of those things. Because with church comes a sense of belonging, to each other and to God. I missed feeling a part of something so big, on the outside and the inside.

Over the last year, I have begun to redefine what religion means to me. Going to Mass on Sunday because I look forward to it, not just because my parents went. Going to weekly small group meetings to discuss Bible verses to learn more, not because I had to. Praying before I fall asleep every night because it makes me happy. 

My daily attitude is always more positive when I thank God for everything I have and when I can share my worries with Him. For lent this year, I made a point to set a timer before I fall asleep to put aside time to pray that doesn’t allow for falling asleep or making excuses to skip a day or two. Being really homesick and stressed from school, I’ve had my fair share of tears this semester. But exactly the first day of lent this February, I started praying more and the tears stopped. I remember thinking it was kind of like a miracle. I realized a few days later, that’s because it was. And that’s just one of countless memorable personal experiences with God. 

One of my favorite things about being Catholic is that any church you walk into feels like home. Catholic churches in Raleigh are the same as Catholic churches in New Jersey and Florida and Pennsylvania and every other state. Sure, the building will look different and the priest certainly won’t be the same person. The music is set to different notes sometimes, and not all churches have the same go-to songs that you most likely don’t need the hymn book for anymore because that’s how many times you’ve sang them already. 

But the most important parts never change. There’s always a first reading and a second reading. A Gospel and a homily. A collection and Eucharist. And the list continues. There’s a comfort in being able to walk into a church you’ve never stepped foot in before, and you’re able to recite Nicene Creed and all the prayers with all the other members that you’ve never met.

Even if you don’t know anyone, there’s always that time in the beginning of Mass to say hello, offer peace in the middle of Mass, and hold hands during the Our Father. It doesn’t take long to feel like part of the community, especially NCSU Catholic Campus Ministry — at least it didn’t for me. So many friendly faces and supportive students, all with the same core beliefs, gathering together on Sunday mornings makes me feel extremely lucky to be part of such a group. 

Being Catholic made me who I am today, and I can’t imagine a day where I wouldn’t believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.