Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In our first episode since Easter Sunday, and in light of the extraordinary number of new Catholic converts this year, we cover the amazing (and very familiar sounding!) conversion account of the first early American Puritan Pastor to the Catholic Faith. His name was John Thayer. He was known to Benjamin Franklin, and even challenged John Adams on Luther and Calvin. He converted in 1783, the same year the United States won its independence from Great Britain, and later became a priest dedicated to evangelizing his beloved America.
To our knowledge, this is the first time his conversion story has been shared in video/audio form. It will sound very familiar to many converts (especially from protestantism), and we trust it will be deeply encouraging and edifying this Easter season!
Christ is King! Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
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This apostolate is a non-profit under priestly authority, and all your gifts are tax-deductible. Your generosity makes it possible for us to produce our podcast, research, and written content with excellence, while making it available to the world for free, all for the salvation of souls. It also empowers us to work on even bigger projects behind the scenes (stay tuned).
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➡️ eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
03:58 - Roadmap
05:16 - Historical Context
11:58 - Conversion: Intro
13:32 - Family Background
15:18 - Traveling to Rome, Prejudice Against Catholics Melting
17:35 - Inspiring Thought at the Pantheon
19:59 - Desiring to Learn the Catholic Faith to Shed Prejudice
25:05 - Catholic Unity of Faith + Diversity of Opinions
28:17 - The Instability of Protestantism
30:38 - Inquiring into the Catholic Faith + Respecting Guardian Angel
32:38 - The Miracles of St. Benedict Joseph Labre
35:50 - Surrounded by Catholic Truth, But Still Unwilling to Convert
37:23 - Discovering "Manifesto of a Christian Knight Converted to the Catholic Religion"
40:40 - Deciding to Become Catholic
41:50 - Final Obstacle: Veneration of Mary and the Saints
45:23 - Greatly Changed Upon Becoming Catholic
48:52 - Conclusion of the Conversion Story
49:42 - Concluding Reflections
This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
In our first episode since Easter Sunday, and in light of the extraordinary number of new Catholic converts this year, we cover the amazing (and very familiar sounding!) conversion account of the first early American Puritan Pastor to the Catholic Faith. His name was John Thayer. He was known to Benjamin Franklin, and even challenged John Adams on Luther and Calvin. He converted in 1783, the same year the United States won its independence from Great Britain, and later became a priest dedicated to evangelizing his beloved America.
To our knowledge, this is the first time his conversion story has been shared in video/audio form. It will sound very familiar to many converts (especially from protestantism), and we trust it will be deeply encouraging and edifying this Easter season!
Christ is King! Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION
Has our content blessed you or those you love? Then please consider becoming a monthly patron for $10/month or more.
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron
This apostolate is a non-profit under priestly authority, and all your gifts are tax-deductible. Your generosity makes it possible for us to produce our podcast, research, and written content with excellence, while making it available to the world for free, all for the salvation of souls. It also empowers us to work on even bigger projects behind the scenes (stay tuned).
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
➡️ eternalchristendom.com
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
X: twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles
Facebook: facebook.com/joshuatcharles
Instagram: instagram.com/joshuatcharles
DIVE DEEPER
Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic:
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic
SUBSTACK
Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content:
➡️ eternalchristendom.substack.com
EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/bookstore
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
03:58 - Roadmap
05:16 - Historical Context
11:58 - Conversion: Intro
13:32 - Family Background
15:18 - Traveling to Rome, Prejudice Against Catholics Melting
17:35 - Inspiring Thought at the Pantheon
19:59 - Desiring to Learn the Catholic Faith to Shed Prejudice
25:05 - Catholic Unity of Faith + Diversity of Opinions
28:17 - The Instability of Protestantism
30:38 - Inquiring into the Catholic Faith + Respecting Guardian Angel
32:38 - The Miracles of St. Benedict Joseph Labre
35:50 - Surrounded by Catholic Truth, But Still Unwilling to Convert
37:23 - Discovering "Manifesto of a Christian Knight Converted to the Catholic Religion"
40:40 - Deciding to Become Catholic
41:50 - Final Obstacle: Veneration of Mary and the Saints
45:23 - Greatly Changed Upon Becoming Catholic
48:52 - Conclusion of the Conversion Story
49:42 - Concluding Reflections
This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
