Becoming Catholic during Easter

By New Outlook  

David Saxon grew up Protestant in Florida. Today the 32-year-old U.S. Marine is a parishioner at Saint John Neumann in Yuma. On Saturday, April 19, Saxon was baptized Catholic.

A V22 Osprey pilot and intelligence officer Saxon said coming to the Church was the culmination of a 15-year process, “Catholicism was much more scriptural than everything I grew up believing,” he said. Saxon explained how when deployed, during Thursday evenings, his squadron would talk about theology, “My Catholic friends helped me understand that we work toward sanctification.” Those meaningful conversations set Saxon on a path of discovery which prompted him to read books about early Church fathers and books dissuaded by Protestants, “There is so much proof,” he told the New Outlook. “The Catholic Church fully affirms the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s fully intellectual and coherent.”  

Saxon said his journey was gradual but toward the end he was certain he was getting to know the truth, “I was trying to learn to do the things Jesus taught and the biggest thing for me was the Eucharist.” While preparing to become Catholic Saxon said he’s found joy in praying the rosary every day, “It’s been life changing. I also go to adoration. I love it. It’s been so profound.”  

As he reflects on the past, Saxon says he found a true connection with Saint Augustine, “Looking back I chased honor and success in the Marine Corps. I think God threw some roadblocks at me on purpose to humble me and to bring me to this place.” Saxon said a physical injury and divorce brought him directly in front of Jesus Christ, “He pulled me straight to Him, He’s my all and all.”  

Saxon’s journey has not been easy. Most of his family has pushed back, “I love my family, but they don’t get it and I’m OK with that because what’s true is true.” His sponsors include a Navy Seal and officer pilot, though both were deployed during Easter services Saxon was joined by a fellow fighter pilot during his ceremony. Saxon’s journey is truly just beginning, at the end of April his three children, ages 4, 2, and 1 were baptized, “The truth is worth pursuing, if you have Jesus and nothing else you have everything you’ll ever need or want,” he said.