Charles Gunga
St Mary & St Benedict Catholic Church, Coventry

Charles kindly completed a short, optional questionnaire designed to find out more about why people have decided to join the Catholic Church. He will be fully welcomed into the Catholic Church this Easter, 2026.

Please tell us a little about what drew you towards wanting to become a Catholic.

My journey towards the Catholic Church has been a thoughtful and deeply personal process shaped by reflection, intellectual curiosity, and a sincere search for spiritual depth. Over time, I found myself drawn not only to the beauty of the liturgy and the reverence of worship, but also to the Church’s harmony between faith, reason, and tradition. As someone engaged in rigorous academic study, I was particularly moved by a faith that welcomes inquiry while still grounding the believer in timeless truths.

Living abroad and navigating a demanding academic life has prompted me to reflect more intentionally on meaning, identity, and purpose. In the midst of this, I found the Catholic Church to be a place of stability, contemplation, and spiritual discipline. Attending Mass, learning about the sacraments, and observing the sense of sacred continuity across cultures made me feel a profound sense of belonging and universality. The Church’s global nature and its rich intellectual and spiritual heritage resonated deeply with my own journey as an international student seeking both personal growth and spiritual anchoring.

I was also drawn by the Church’s emphasis on formation, moral responsibility, and service to others. Having previously worked in educational and leadership roles, I value communities that nurture growth, compassion, and integrity, and I have found these values strongly reflected in Catholic teaching and practice. Through this period of formation, I have experienced a growing interior peace, a clearer sense of vocation, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence in my life.

Ultimately, my decision to become Catholic is not sudden but the result of a steady call that has unfolded through study, prayer, reflection, and lived experience. I feel that the Catholic Church provides a spiritual home where I can continue to grow in faith, live with greater intentionality, and deepen my relationship with God within a community rooted in tradition, learning, and love.

Please tell us something you have learned during your period of formation to become a Catholic.

During my period of formation, I have learned that faith is not only an emotional experience but also a disciplined way of living that involves prayer, reflection, and moral responsibility. I have come to understand the depth of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and how they shape a Catholic’s spiritual life in a concrete and continual way.  

I have also learned the importance of humility and patience in spiritual growth. Formation has shown me that faith develops gradually through learning, questioning, and trusting in God’s guidance rather than through sudden certainty. The teachings of the Church, its rich tradition, and its emphasis on both faith and reason have helped me appreciate that belief can be intellectually grounded while still deeply personal.  

Most importantly, I have learned that the Church is a universal community that welcomes people from different backgrounds and journeys, and that holiness is lived out in everyday actions through service, integrity, and compassion.

Please tell us something you are looking forward to, following your reception into the Catholic Church.

Following my reception into the Catholic Church, I am especially looking forward to fully participating in the Church's sacramental life, particularly the Eucharist, and to continuing to grow in faith within a supportive and prayerful community. I look forward to deepening my spiritual discipline through regular Mass, prayer, and ongoing formation.  

I am also looking forward to living out my faith more intentionally in my daily life, allowing it to guide my decisions, relationships, and sense of purpose. As an international student living away from home, I find that being part of the Catholic community gives me a sense of belonging and spiritual stability.

Above all, I look forward to continuing this journey of faith with greater commitment, serving others where I can, and growing in my relationship with God within the tradition, wisdom, and community of the Church.