"Wow! You've done it again. I'm more impressed with this book than with any of the others.
The thing I like most is the dispassion. The word 'could' is the operative word. At each turn
the reader is left entirely free with no sales pitch. The objectivity is clean and forthright.
You could have written it for pastors to give to their confused and doubtful congregants and
named it 'Could You Ever Become a Real Catholic.' Catholics should read this book as a way of
understanding their faith better. The section on converts was terrific; so, too,
the chapter, 'When You Marry a Catholic." This book is a masterpiece... an encyclopedia of wisdom,
doctrine, human understanding and love." --Rev. John Catoir, Founder and Director of St. Jude's
Media Ministries and the author of several very popular Alba House titles including Enjoy the Lord,
God Delights in You, World Religions, and Where Do You Stand with the
Church?.
"As a parish pastoral associate, a fair amount of my time and energy is spent in conversation
with people asking themselves: Could I ever become a Catholic? Sometimes the question is raised
formally in an inquiry session within the context of the rite of Christian initiation of adults, but
quite often it is couched more subtly in a conversation that begins, "You know, I've always
wondered why you Catholics...." Because there is a considerable amount of curiosity about and
attraction to Catholicism, I am always on the lookout for resources to help me address "seekers,"
which is why I was inspired to read Duquin's book. I was slightly dubious of the text given the
book's cover which shows a man in a marching-band uniform peering into a church through a stained
glass window. I wondered whether the content would be presented in an overly casual manner,
perhaps not worth the effort of one seeking serious answers. It turns out, however, to be not at
all the case. The book is divided into nineteen relatively brief chapters, each covering in a
straightforward way an issue or question relevant to an inquirer's experience. Topics range from
the philosophical ("The Search for God") to the practical ("Why Would I Need an Annulment?) to
the interpersonal ("What Will my Family and Friends Say?"). These are explored with a fine
balance of Catholic teaching placed in conversation with the life experiences of those seeking
answers. The grounding in personal experience gives this book its particular strength. Voices of
real people from around the United States, woven into the chapters, capture in surprisingly
eloquent ways the profound search for meaning in which many are engaged. For example, "I couldn't
stop asking questions. I was awakened in the middle of the night with questions. That is definitely
God's call. It is a thirsting for the truth." Such voices bespeak an honesty hard to deny. That is
true even of those who ultimately choose not to become Catholics. Who will find the book helpful?
Individuals who are considering becoming Catholic will find much value in Duquin's presentation
of the Catholic faith. The book may have broader appeal, however. Parish staffs, catechists, and
particularly persons who work with Christian initiation will find here a pastoral presentation of
the faith, a good resource indeed. It is positive to hear the voices of persons who are finding
a home in the Catholic Church. And it affirms the statement from Dignitatis humanae that
"truth can impose itself... only in virtue of its own truth, which wins over the mind with both
gentleness and power." --A.R. in Church,
Fall 2002
"The book arrived in the mail yesterday. Not only did I read it from cover to cover last night,
but I found it to be absolutely fascinating.... So many of the conversion stories are right on the money!
I hope it sells a million plus!" --Peter Swicker, contributor whose
story is in Chapter 18
"I believe that this little book will be of great assistance to those people of faith all over the
country who have begun to consider crossing the Tiber.... Having many contacts in the 'world of
Catholic converts,' Ill certainly get the word out on this book. Great job!" --
William Durst, contributor whose story is in Chapter 7
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A graduate of Canisius College and freelance writer whose articles have appeared in the Los Angeles
Times Syndicate, McCall's, Redbook, Ladies' Home Journal, Our Sunday Visitor and Catholic Digest,
Lorene Hanley Duquin, is the prize-winning author
of the highly acclaimed work chronicling the life of Catherine de Hueck Doherty,