Why I Became a Catholic

Originally written as a personal testimony to his own children on why he became a Catholic, this is a thoughtful and timeless conversion story of Sir Joseph Pope written during the early part of the 20th century. Born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, in 1854 to a family renowned for distinguished service to the Canadian government, Joseph carried on the family tradition as a highly regarded civil servant.Joseph served as the private secretary to Sir John Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, and then as Undersecretary of State during the government of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Like St. Thomas More, Pope was held in high esteem as a public servant, and he enjoyed the total confidence of prime ministers and governors, all whom sought his advice. He also was a prolific author, including the official biographies of major Canadian historical figures.

Amidst this busy public life, Sir Joseph Pope developed a profound spiritual life and a mind always hungry for eternal truth. Raised in a nominal Anglican family, he sensed the inconsistencies and lack of solid authority and doctrinal beliefs in Anglicanism. His persistent, courageous search for the fullness of truth finally led him home to the Catholic Church. Having found the pearl of great price, he wrote this lasting memoir to share with his children, and now all of us, the rich treasure of his Catholic faith.