From following Christ to belonging to His Church

After reflecting on the eight questions that move a person toward Christ, I realized there is a further journey: the road from being Christian to being Catholic. Many stop halfway, content with believing in Christ without entering the fullness of His Church. But if Christianity is real, it must lead to the Church Christ founded.

Here are eight questions that guide that second step:

1. Is the Catholic Church the Church that God founded?
2. Do you believe its history?
3. Are you Catholic because you are Christian?
4. Is the Church the Body of Christ?
5. Do you profess with the Nicene Creed: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic?
6. Do you recognize the Church as the fullness of goodness?
7. Do you accept her teaching as the fullness of truth?
8. Do you see her life as the fullness of beauty?

These questions deepen the challenge. To be Catholic is not merely to add rules, traditions, or identity markers. It is to believe that Christ did not leave us orphans but founded a visible Body — one, holy, catholic, and apostolic — where His truth, goodness, and beauty are made present.

The first eight questions bring you to Christ. These eight lead you all the way home.