From Agnosticism to Catholicism: My Conversion Story (Part Two)

A life-changing experience at World Youth Day in Rome embarked Matt Fradd on the faith-journey that has brought him to where he is today. He tells us how his life as a Catholic began in this second part of his conversion story. You can find the first part here • From Agnosticism to Ca...
While his life before becoming Catholic depended on fleeting happiness, upon becoming Catholic he said he experienced a deep abiding joy-and has been experiencing it ever since.
For more from Matt Fradd, visit mattfradd.com (mattfradd.com).
Matt's podcasts can be found here:
Pints with Aquinas: pintswithaquinas.libsyn.com
Love People Use Things: lovepeopleusethings.fm
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[@ryderisboss]

My conversion story is more simple 🤣 My good friend is getting married a week after me and im one of his groomsmen along with 2 Christians. One is protestant at an extremely modern church (smoke machines, light shows, rock bands) and the other is a traditional catholic that is strictly catechized. I started asking them intentionally rude questions about their faith and they actually gave me answers that made sense to me. Eventually after doing some research myself, I decided to go to both of their churches to experience a service/mass. The Catholic mass instantly felt like home for me and at the end the priest explained that RCIA was starting the next week and there were still a few spots left so I took that as a sign from God and signed up and now im planning on receiving the sacrament of confirmation this upcoming easter.

[@TT-hg8eo]

Welcome and God bless you 🙏

[@josephpostma1787]

Good Luck, I hope this has been a great help to you.

[@jeshan0659]

Woow! God bless you!

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Yayy! God bless you 🙏❤️

[@rosabellabetancourt1099]

Welcome home!

[@gbadimarleneaudrey3111]

He loved me as i am but too much to let me as i am 😭😭

[@realmless4193]

I love how his story is "I became agnostic for stupid reasons, and then I became Catholic for stupid reasons, then I researched things and learned that I was right now!"

[@Peteraddavideo]

Similar story to mine, only I went through several Protestant Churches before arriving at the true Catholic Church, which has allowed me to make accurate comparisons.

[@derekhandson351]

What was it like? What made you change?

[@kellysoo]

@peteraddavideo I would definitely agree with you on the account of going to several Protestant churches. They always left me either with more tears or more confusion as not one agree with the other. I am not a Protestant nominal Christian - I am part of the leadership and the community. At one stage our family was the caretaker of a church (Australia) Because of that, (long story short) I am now walking towards Rome-home the one True Church.

[@lindaliu0315]

lol I'm Chinese watching this video. I'm loving this. I think I'm turning agnostic because originally I am a definite atheist. But if praying helps I would pray for my friend in other countries in the world since COVID19 is serious around the globe. They prayed for my family when I was worried about them. Now my uncle's cured of COVID19 I want to pray for them, it's better than nothing. I don't have any knowledge about being religious so I'm doing some research here... Thank you for the video, keep up the great work.

[@sarahfrancyjewellery]

It is lovely that you desire to pray for others. And that desire is goodness that has been placed in you by God. I hope you continue seeking Him and ultimately find a love so amazing

[@sabaghebreghzabhier3382]

Read the story of Catholic Saints

[@silveriorebelo8045]

may the Lord bless you to discover Christ as your Lord and Savior and the joy of belonging to his Church...

[@JB-ou6fl]

You can follow Matt's advice and start by reading the New Testament of the bible. It will be a good introduction to understanding who God is. You can also look for a Catholic priest who can guide you. God bless!

[@amandajones3964]

🙏God bless you!

[@jen9774]

Greetings from South Africa. I converted at the age of 64. No big moment just feeling that constant thumb In my back till I finally gave in. I love your videos and your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work.

[@patriciajohnson1894]

🇿🇦 Catholic

[@thelaughingboo]

Thanks for sharing that very personal story Matt! I love to hear peoples conversion stories! Mine happened when I had lost the will to live at the bottom of a drug and alcohol problem. Feeling the weight of the world on my chest I hit my knees and said, "God I don't Know if you really exist or not but if you do I need your help! I am in a great deal of pain and I don't want to live anymore! PLEASE HELP ME!!!" The weight that was on my chest left me in an instant! My response to this was to doubt that it was really God. It took me years to see it for what it really was divine intervention! Today I am clean and sober over 28 years and a practicing catholic. I was not raised a Catholic but God brought me here so who am I to argue! Love the videos! God Bless!!

[@nars.y]

Wow that's amazing God bless you

[@alexandraschmid4078]

Thank you for sharing your powerful story. I was saved too by the grace of God very recently. I suffered from severe depression and also lost the will to live and one day, out of desperation, I said the rosary prayer asking for help. While I was praying, I felt a tremendous warm, and loving energy inside of me... don't know how to describe it better... after praying that rosary, I was healed. I had no more depression but was filled with a level of peace and contentment that is hard to capture in words. While I am currently still struggling and going through a very rough time in my life, I have now a very different grounding and hope. I also never stopped praying the rosary since....

[@lynnehood2198]

I alway say to my sons..." When you are knocked low, if you can get up enough to get on your knees...you will surely get back on your feet." Life will take us all down from time to time. On our knee is the meeting place with God. The lesson is this...We are all only half of who we can be without God. God is the one who makes us all that we can be. God bless you.

[@macjordan3901]

@@lynnehood2198 amen

[@narrowisthewaytoeternity]

Tony Maurizzio Is Catholicism a false religion? Are Catholics saved? The most crucial problem with the Roman Catholic Church is its belief that faith alone in Christ is not sufficient for salvation. The Bible clearly and consistently states that receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, by grace through faith, grants salvation (John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10,13; Ephesians 2:8-9). The Roman Catholic Church rejects this. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that a person must believe in Jesus Christ AND be baptized AND receive the Eucharist along with the other sacraments AND obey the decrees of the Roman Catholic Church AND perform meritorious works AND not die with any mortal sins AND etc., etc., etc. Catholic divergence from the Bible on this most crucial of issues, salvation, means that yes, Catholicism is a false religion. If a person believes what the Catholic Church officially teaches, he/she will not be saved. Any claim that works or rituals must be added to faith in order for salvation to be achieved is a claim that Jesus' death was not sufficient to fully purchase our salvation. While salvation by faith is the most crucial issue, in comparing Roman Catholicism with the Word of God, there are many other differences and contradictions as well. The Roman Catholic Church teaches many doctrines that are in disagreement with what the Bible declares. These include apostolic succession, worship of saints or Mary, prayer to saints or Mary, the pope / papacy, infant baptism, transubstantiation, plenary indulgences, the sacramental system, and purgatory. While Catholics claim Scriptural support for these concepts, none of these teachings have any solid foundation in the clear teaching of Scripture. These concepts are based on Catholic tradition, not the Word of God. In fact, they all clearly contradict Biblical principles. In regards to the question "Are Catholics saved?", this is a more difficult question to answer. It is impossible to give a universal statement on the salvation of all members of any denomination of Christianity. Not ALL Baptists are saved. Not ALL Presbyterians are saved. Not ALL Lutherans are saved. Salvation is determined by personal faith in Jesus alone for salvation, not by titles or denominational identification. Despite the unbiblical beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, there are genuine believers who attend Roman Catholic churches. There are many Roman Catholics who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. However, these Catholic Christians are believers despite what the Catholic Church teaches, not because of what it teaches. To varying degrees, the Catholic Church teaches from the Bible and points people to Jesus Christ as the Savior. As a result, people are sometimes saved in Catholic churches. The Bible has an impact whenever it is proclaimed (Isaiah 55:11). Catholic Christians remain in the Catholic Church out of ignorance of what the Catholic Church truly stands for, out of family tradition and peer pressure, or out of a desire to reach other Catholics for Christ. At the same time, the Catholic Church also leads many people away from a genuine faith relationship with Christ. The unbiblical beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church have often given the enemies of Christ opportunity to blaspheme. The Roman Catholic Church is not the church that Jesus Christ established. It is not a church that is based on the teachings of the Apostles (as described in the Book of Acts and the New Testament epistles). While Jesus' words in Mark 7:9 were directed towards the Pharisees, they accurately describe the Roman Catholic Church, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!"

[@borneandayak6725]

I'm Catholic from Indonesia...

[@danaw.2370]

“They thought I was weird before, but now I’m happy!” 😃👍

[@janeeyre144]

hehe, watching from Spain. Loved your testimony (specially the skectical prayer hihi so common). I encountered Jesus at 21, now at 28 I'm preparing to be a bride of Christ in the near future...Yeah,...can't wait!!! Thank you again

[@lucychang393]

🙏Hi Matt, I'm from Malaysia. I pray that oneday my son and daughters will come back to church and experience a conversion through your sharing n other testimonies. Love your videos.Thank you n God bless you n family!!

[@jesuslovesyou4862]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@manns111]

Hi Fred.. Thank you for your honest and genuine videos. I have been struggling to keep my faith in Jesus for some time. This video is a real motivation for me to go back to the Bible and pray wholeheartedly to Jesus. God bless you. 🙂

[@dawnmotakef3072]

manu prasad I’m going to be praying for you! Stay strong, our Lord loves you so much!

[@laviniaretta3398]

manu prasad I will make sure to keep you in my prayers!

[@jonahkane7027]

manu prasad if you need any help with your faith let me know there are real reasons for believing in God

[@caryulmer5578]

manu prasad I'll be praying for you. Keep reading the Bible even if its just bits at a time. I just open mine randomly & find the Lord has opened it to a scripture He speaks to me from for what I need right then. Always rely on Him, He loves you very, very much.

[@megmaylad5149]

It's amazing and awesome... What God will do for a soul..

[@lauracalnan6280]

Yayyy I've been dying for this all week!

[@user-gk4lt4vc1h]

I converted to Catholicism 3ish years ago after being on the edge of a cliff also. I loved watching your witness Matt. It made me giggle and it also pulled a tear….because I could feel the joy that you found (as I also did) loved your final advice…..pray (“YES”) and dump all the ugly in your life.. God bless you🙏🏻 Cath 🇦🇺

[@cristinamancera8814]

I love this ♡ been a catholic my whole life, but I enjoy hearing others being saved. Praise God for you are merciful and just!

[@doloresatew6894]

Same here ❤️

[@lizethcantu276]

Oh no! The ending made me cry!!! I was born into the Catholic religion, went to Catholic school until 6th grade. I continued to go to church for years but never really understood the religion fully, I could never defend it, I never really read the bible. I stopped going to church after I got married (Feb 2020). My husband was not raised in a specific religion but was baptized Methodist as a baby. We moved to Salt Lake city after we got married (the Vatican of mormons). I started getting questions from people about my faith and my husband started having a more Agnostic view. All that combined pushed me to research and question my faith. And I have never being this close to my faith ever! I watch live mass everyday from the cathedral I go to. I read the bible with the help of the podcast "Bible in a Year" from Ascension press. I go multiple times a week to mass and bible study. I found this video because I keep searching for testimonies that give me hope that my husband will find his way to Catholicism as well🙏🏻❤️

[@Theblueblossomgirl]

Beautiful. Half way through your story and I’m already crying. I can see how powerful your experience was. May the love for Jesus continue to grow in all of us.

[@soumyajoy9251]

I love you Jesus. Thank you for loving me so much even when I'm not worthy of it💖💖💖

[@sapphire19885]

this just happened to me last month, the Holy Spirit filled my mind and heart for an entire week giving me peace and joy and understanding

[@Julie_Rios]

What an amazing conversion story & thank you for sharing. Faith is a gift. Want it? Ask for it. We're all naturally wired for God. It's why people ask questions & seek answers. God bless you, Matt.

[@Georgian1717]

Loved this. Thank you for sharing. Happy I’m Catholic. Praise be Jesus Christ! ✝️

[@emeselatkoczy9011]

Greetings from a fellow convert. Both parts 1&2 are compelling and you give good suggestions.

[@marybast9998]

Hi Matt! I'm Mary and weird as well. I think we'll get along great. :) Thanks so much for sharing this, btw. 3 years ago (wow, has it only been 3?...) I had a reversion experience where I decided to just give believing in God (again) a shot (I don't know if I ever *truly* stopped believing, tbh), and, well, now, I'm a fully practicing Catholic again--woot! I think I've found the best argument for Jesus as God really is just, that He Just Is. All the intellectual veracity and expostulations have their place, their way, their power, but what it really comes down to, is that He's just IT, you know? (I remember my spiritual director saying at some point on my reversion journey, "Once you've encountered the Truth, you can't ever go back.") It's like your heart is forever changed, and there's nothing you can do about it, and you know it, as you said, "deep in your bones." He just...is. He's it. He just is. Also, I've quickly become a fan of yours. I think you're hilarious and I hope we can be friends somehow, some day! Thanks for sharing your heart, and hope you and your family are doing well!

[@mrs.h3779]

Mary Bast I love this! As God says his name is “I AM”. You are absolutely correct that in fact, He Is.

[@arumiranda]

I love how candid and frank you put this video together. Thank you, Matt! 😊

[@kathypr1051]

Watching from Valencia, Spain! Thanks for sharing your history of salvation,

[@robonymous4620]

Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful story of your conversion, Matt. I praise God for your conversion!! May God bless and keep you and yours always.

[@tamaran6926]

This brought tears to my eyes...❤️

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

I am from Ontario Canada .Thankyou

[@katewilson4780]

Matt how blessed you are to have had God’s grace and mercy bestowed on you from such a young age. I have not long felt that joy and peace and by the grace of God I’m so thankful. Peace and blessings on you and your family and all who watch and are touched by your videos 🕯🙏🏻❤️

[@19snoopy64]

Thanks for sharing your journey to faith with such passion!

[@danchi7179]

Listening from Viet Nam. Thank you Matt.

[@movingmontanas5054]

This video gave me goosebumps. I’m a good way 👍🏼 love it.

[@airashanahan89]

❤️ from India

[@johncoffey9837]

One of the most inspirational KZbin videos I've think I've seen, and I'm already a Christian. Thanks for allowing God to work through you and sharing your story, God Bless! :)

[@scrubbywubby2694]

Hello Matt, I just wanted to leave a comment and thank you for sharing your story. I’ve been struggling a lot with my faith for as long as I can remember, just a constant back and forth and I was slowly starting to give up on God. Hearing someone’s journey which is pretty similar to mine (in which I used to be agnostic as well) touched my heart very deeply and I was reminded of how I felt when I first prayed the rosary in a time where things were very dark for me. Thank you for reminding me of God’s love 🤎🤍

[@mariselabecerra1675]

I listen to your story from Mexico, it's wonderful to know "catholic" means "universal" and to see how Jesus really speaks to you the same way he does to me and to everyone in every country. Thank you for sharing, it's amazing.

[@nyakanyasko]

Thanks so much for this! It gives me hope for the people in my life who don't believe in God yet. Listening from Oregon.

[@familyvideos9513]

"Now I'm happy & weird" is perfect...

[@larrylim3571]

Matt, if you haven't known yet, you're natural lively approach is very inviting, engaging, encouraging and fun to listen to. Light and great. Please speak some more. Thank you.

[@debyausthi]

LOL. I know where it's going after you mentioned WORLD YOUTH DAY. I've been there, and IT WAS CRAZY. I recommended it to every youth at the entire earth! God Bless!

[@gladishernandez5102]

That´s what I love about Jesus, your relationship with Him is as unique as a fingertip, all different and special. I´m so happy for you!! Live your life in God´s love is amazing, it gives you happiness you cannot get with anything else. God bless you! Greetings from Mexico!!

[@rowenanapuli4108]

I am very much happy knowing that you encounter our savior. Because I also encounter him in a way I never expected. And my life indeed change. A life full of joy, hope and love despite all the problems that surrounds me. It’s like I’m a strong and happy warrior excited to finish the fight and meet Him one day. Oh how blessed are those who find Him in this world. For they found that greatest treasure on earth.

[@andreaarmstrong1829]

Watching & listening from Malaysia😁. Thank you for your sharing Matt!

[@GrandmaLynn]

Hi Matt, part one came up in my feeds, watched it, then couldn’t wait to watch part two! I was happy to see it was also in my feeds. Loved both!

[@jcpenny2438]

"I'm insecure. Please like me." LOL!!!!! Matt, you're so funny!

[@titalemonsitougubanpa247]

I am watching your conversion story and happy for your conversion,welcome home Brother

[@mosesramdeen2352]

Listening from Trinidad and Tobago

[@matthewyoder93]

God Bless you Matt

[@merilyncrous8892]

Watching from S Africa. Thank you Matt.

[@jessamaelumanas4434]

Thanks Mat. God bless you!

[@organicmonica]

I had a similar experience in prayer, Matt. My conversion was a shining moment in my life, too. God is real and He hears our prayer. You are my brother in Christ. God bless.

[@kalligrace1077]

This is sooo cool! Thanks for sharing :)

[@Philokalia12]

Hello Matt, Thank you for sharing your story. Amazing how Jesus reaches us and pulls us along on his journey for our lives. I was born a Catholic and at 15 became an Evangelical. Forty years later I became a Catholic with an understanding of the beauty and truth of the Church. What brought me back? Reading the early Church Fathers with a group of Presbyterian Seminary graduates brought me back. Go figure! Reading the Fathers gave me a hunger for the Eucharist. I realized that there were Catholics who read the Scriptures and had a relationship with Jesus. I went to confession and went forward to “receive Jesus” every time I attend(ed) Mass. I appreciate your ministry. Keep at it and God bless you!

[@caryulmer5578]

Beautiful story Matt, thanks for sharing. I've been Christian my whole life so I don't really know what it feels like to not believe in Him. I've seen way too many miracles & had way too many prayers answered to ever doubt Him. If you look you can see Him everywhere, in everything & you can see miracles He does for you. Having a relationship with the Lord is an amazing life.

[@mariastephens8643]

It's just You're like --- One of my favorite people forever

[@dominionaromolaran347]

God is forever grateful

[@BillyWidener]

Thanks for sharing, Matt.

[@ruthann2635]

This is absolutely so beautiful! I love the way you express your experience in coming to Bod.

[@lex4608]

Reminds me a lot of my conversion, God bless you ♥️

[@ghallora]

Great testimony. Fellow Aussie here. Love the laid back way you told your conversion story. Mine was similar in the sense of asking God from the bottom of my heart in my mid 20s to reveal himself to me. And true to his goodness he did. Became a Protestant and then a Catholic a few years later in 2012. Praise God!

[@leonardodasilvagarcia673]

The final part of the video was so comforting

[@NellaMelsua]

Listening to your testimony has been B-E-A-U-TIFUL. Thank you. Greetings from Peru.

[@trishiegirl311]

You're a magnificent storyteller. God bless.

[@doreenwanjiku6568]

Thank you for sharing Matt.

[@tapiwanashe5076]

Yey! I haven't even watched it and I'm so excited!

[@Matt_Reinhart]

Matt Fradd! Great story and video! I'm currently serving with NET Ministries USA on Team 7 and we are all HUGE fans of both you and your wife! Thank you for all that you do and know that you and your family are in Team 7's prayers! God bless!

[@noreenlindsey5415]

Watching from Dublin, thanks Matt.

[@diegoallcore]

Song of David, have mercy on me! Greetings from Costa Rica

[@Consolesk8r]

Watching from California, USA. Thanks so much for sharing your conversion story. This is really reassuring.

[@igorgeorge7118]

Hello, Matt. I'm Igor and I'm catholic from Russia 🇷🇺. Russia is an orthodox country. My parents are orthodox but I'm catholic. And I watch your video from Saint-Petersburg from Russia

[@maryjoseph3555]

great sharing....wonderful story of redemption.

[@mariawulffsbergezimoha464]

Wonderful Testomony, we are very lucky, that we are born into the Catholic Church, and that Jesus died for us to give us life IN him

[@emmawell8064]

Finallllllllyyyy! I waited for this badly...

[@rickfilmmaker3934]

Wonderful!

[@nickdebeer1552]

Listening from South Africa

[@markahearne3280]

Thanks for your story matt. Unfortunately i cannot go to retreats etc because i suffer with agoraphobia. But im praying for the right people and friends to come into my life. Peace be with you. God bless

[@sherrymelane8694]

AMEN from America❣️🙏✝️💗

[@mariloucudal2219]

your story is so inspiring thank you for sharing. God is alive

[@eileen1820]

It's about time!! 😁😁

[@brennanmchugh4971]

Awesome story Matt. Thanks for the encouragement today.

[@amberhackiewicz3358]

Matt, I love your messages, they are always so good! I am so excited to see you at the conference in November!! I hope I can personally meet you!

[@libby609]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@claudiobernardofreitas2012]

From Brazil, catholic since baby. Happy with you

[@mikethemonsta15]

Amazing!! Thank you so much!!

[@kristynoble8848]

California USA. Catholic since 1988. To me, your English is just fine, and your accent is charming.

[@julesinmd2585]

Fabulous story! We are all created with a specific purpose and you are helping others with your videos! Thank you Matt!

[@CristinaaaMx]

LOVE YOUUU!!!

[@MrMatt44000]

That was awesome Matt, thank you

[@serenesoul4923]

Praise the Lord 💕

[@funnynickline]

God bless one and all, God will make his way to all for a new life all over again🙏🌏✝🌏🙏.

[@josephlukowski9382]

Thank you Matt -- great stuff.

[@mi2401]

Thanks so much Matt. I really needed his video right now

[@mi2401]

This*

[@criscavi19]

excellent comment. Thanks

[@88rollins]

Great story Matt- thanks for sharing. Inspirational!

[@josecarlospalma7642]

amazing! Thanks for sharing your conversion story

[@teresastrach5927]

I like how honest and sincere you are in telling the world about your transformation in faith. God Bless You.

[@Maria-kg4qi]

Thank you for sharing your story!!! We need this for our children.❤️🙏🏻

[@rainmakula8836]

Watching this from Zimbabwe, Africa in 2020. Powerful testimony. Thank you.

[@greggdragun4750]

I waited one week and you delivered. Extremely moving