Last week, upon his death, I posted the story of Robert Novak’s conversion to the Church as well as an account of a personal encounter I had with him. Reflecting on Mr. Novak, I realized there are numerous stories of people famous and not who have inspiring stories of conversion to the Faith. We’ll try to highlight some of them along the way.
But it also occured to me that there was another famous Washington power broker type who’s also converted to the Faith with whom I also have had a couple of personal moments. That would be former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.
I met him a couple of years ago at a fundraiser for a group for which I did some volunteer work. A woman I know popped up with a camera out of nowhere while I, by chance was standing next to him, having finished a brief conversation with him and getting his autograph. She asked if I would like my picture with him. I said, “I think that’s the Speaker’s decision. Does he want one with me?” He gladly stopped and posed. My mom, who loves him, was very impressed.
This past spring, I was at a dinner where he was the special guest speaker. I had no hope of getting close to him, but as I walked through the hotel lobby, there he was — having just emerged from a makeshift studio where he participated in a live cable news interview. I looked up, saw him, and couldn’t hold back. I reminded him of the picture story, but quickly got right to the point:
“Mr. Speaker, I’m a big fan, but my mom is absolutely crazy about you. But as a devout Catholic, when she read about your recent conversion, she cried she was so happy!”
He smiled as broad as Saint Peter’s Square and a genuine twinkle of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He gushed his thanks and told me to be sure to thank her. I had the impression he wouldn’t have minded hanging around and talking about it — in his speech earlier, he quoted John Paul II extensively. But I decided not to press my luck. Instead, I moved along, counting my blessings . . . and his.
Here’s one of the few public comments Mr. Gingrich has made about his conversion:
Brother Newt? The former Speaker of the House is passionate about the admiration he had for John Paul II well before his conversion to the Faith.
