By Alora Peters, Editor-in-Chief
Many students look back on their experience at Saint Leo University as a time of learning, growth, and personal development. However, for junior Lauren Cheek, her time at Saint Leo has led to so much more – namely, her discovery of faith and conversion to Catholicism.
Cheek, who is studying criminal justice, will be baptized on April 8, during this year’s Easter Vigil at the Saint Leo Abbey Church, where Abbot Isaac Camacho will be presiding over the Mass and Baptism.
Cheek’s journey began officially when she entered into Saint Leo’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program in July of 2022. In RCIA, she and other students who are preparing to receive the sacraments studied together the fundamental precepts and teachings of the Catholic Church, covering topics like prayer, morality, the liturgy, the Scriptures, the Catechism, the saints, and the religious experience.
“I definitely called it Catholicism 101,” she said.
One of Cheek’s favorite learning experiences, however, was learning from her fellow RCIA students.
“I think the most fruitful discussion was learning about everyone’s journeys,” she said. “God brought us all together to have these talks and learn together.”
Growing up, Cheek had gone occasionally to churches in a variety of denominations, but had never investigated religion in depth before starting at Saint Leo.
Looking back, Cheek is grateful that she made the decision to come to Saint Leo, as she had originally strongly considered the University of South Florida (USF).
“Something in my heart told me I needed to go to Saint Leo,” she said. “I don’t know why – well, I do know why. I didn’t know why at the time.”
Cheek was introduced to Catholicism through two of her roommates, both of whom were practicing Catholics. Open, honest conversations with her roommates led Cheek to begin asking more questions about Catholicism.
“They sat down and had that dialogue with me,” said Cheek. “I had so many misconceptions about the Church.”
Cheek remembers one distinct moment last spring that spurred her to begin her conversion journey.
“I had had a really rough day,” she said. “I was exhausted, and tired … and I was walking by the Saint Jude Chapel, and I just felt this call to go in and pray. And as someone who didn’t know how to pray, had never prayed a day in her life, it was a scary call.”
Following that call, Cheek started attending daily Mass in the Abbey and attending more events with University Ministry. Over the summer, she continued attending Mass and discerning whether she truly wanted to become Catholic.
After months of prayer and reflection, Cheek said that the reasons why she wanted to enter into the Church became very clear to her.
“I cannot wait to participate in the Eucharist,” she said. “I can’t wait to be closer to God through the Eucharist.”
Cheek is currently working as a peer mentor for the Saint Leo Abbey’s retreat team, where she hopes to share more about her experience with others who are preparing to receive the sacraments or who are curious about the Faith.
“It’s definitely not easy,” she said. “This changes the rest of your life, but it’s such a fantastic change.”
Cheek does not think her conversion would have been as easy without the supportive community around her.
“I think God called me at the right time,” said Cheek.
Three other RCIA students – Richard Callipari, Brian John, and Linda Navarro – will be receiving Confirmation on April 23, during the 7p.m. Mass in the Abbey Church, at which Camacho will also be presiding and administering the sacraments.
Those who are interested in finding out more about the RCIA program at Saint Leo should reach out to its coordinator, Lucas Nocera, at lucas.nocera@saintleo.edu for more information.
