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Undergraduate Reflections of RCIA

St. Paul's 2025​​

When I came to Harvard, I was interested in Christ and curious about the Church, but I didn’t have much direction. I believed in God, but I hadn’t found a consistent way to grow in my faith or a community. I wasn’t sure what it meant to actually live out what I believed. That started to change when I joined the Harvard Men’s Athlete Bible Study. It quickly became one of the most important parts of my week. The conversations were honest, the people were genuine, and for the first time, I had a group of guys around me who were serious about their faith and about supporting each other. That group gave me the space to ask questions, grow, and begin building a personal relationship with Christ. As I spent more time in that community, I began to feel drawn to the Catholic Church. Ian Rush and Owen Hale had a huge influence on me during that time, both through their friendship and through discipleship. They helped me work through questions, develop spiritual habits, and keep showing up. I eventually began attending RCIA and went to classes with Fr. Nate almost every week after Saturday 5 p.m. Mass. His steady presence, deep knowledge, and care for each of us made a big impact on me. This spring, I was received into the Church. I’m grateful for the people who walked with me and for the Catholic Center that made all of it possible. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow in my faith and getting further involved in the life of the Church here at Harvard.

Bradford Dickson, AB ’27