Steven Valentine was leading a typical college life when he was invited to attend a Catholic retreat for young adults.

“I was making decisions based on what made me happy, and I was not living a virtuous life,” said Steven, who is 25.

His experience at the retreat led him to embark on a journey to learn about the Catholic faith. What he found was a deep love and understanding of the Eucharist.

“I found love. Anything good in the world has a root in God. I found God. I found Jesus' love,” he said.  “People don't understand the Eucharist, and now that I do, I believe the Eucharist is Jesus and I take seriously the words in the Gospel.”

Steven’s younger sister, Rachel, 23, led him to St. John Vianney Catholic Church in St. Pete, as she was searching for meaning in her life.   They are now participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA at St. John Vianney. They are referred to as catechumens. They are unbaptized adults who seek to be baptized, confirmed, and receive first Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, to be celebrated on April 16th this year.  Their mother, Lisa, has come back to practicing her Catholic Faith, and will be Confirmed.

“I see miracles happening and people choosing to become Catholic, and falling in love with Jesus Christ and His one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church,” said Holly Benfield, parish RCIA Coordinator. “Our whole parish is supporting them, through cards of encouragement, prayers, and sacrifices, especially this Lent.”

Steven says he is thankful for the support and the chance to follow the Lord's calling.

“It took me all those years to get to the point where I'm at, and freely respond to that call to know and love Christ,” he said. “It's life changing. I have that moral compass now. I make decisions based on what would please the Father, and I study scripture. I wake up every day and thank God,” Steven shared.

Steven will join hundreds of others from across the Diocese of St. Petersburg on for the Rite of Election on March 6th at the Cathedral of St. Jude the. At the ceremony, parishes will present their catechumens to Bishop Gregory Parkes who will acknowledge their journeys and pronounce them to be the Elect, as they begin their final spiritual preparations to become Catholic. This spiritual preparation coincides with the season of Lent.