Lenten Campaign 2025
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I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” These are the words that thousands of catechumens around the world are preparing to hear on Easter night when they are baptized. Throughout Lent, Aleteia is sharing with you the stories of some of these men and women, who are happy to become children of God. Read all of the testimonies here.
Isabella Noble-Hartzler never expected Chicago would become the place where she'd find her spiritual home. The 27-year-old from rural Michigan has spent four years in the city, working as a nanny for a family that quickly became much more than employers.
“For the past four years, I've made my home in Chicago with my two cats and dog,” Noble-Hartzler said. “During that time, I've had the joy of working as a nanny for a wonderful family who's become like a second family to me.”
This August, Noble-Hartzler will return to Michigan to begin a Master's in Social Work program in her hometown. But her time in Chicago left her forever changed, both personally and spiritually. It's where she met her Catholic fiancé and began exploring the Catholic faith herself.
As wedding preparations began, she found herself increasingly drawn to Catholicism:
As we started planning our wedding, I found myself drawn to the depth and beauty of Catholicism. The Church's rich history, its clarity and consistency in teaching, and the strong sense of community all deeply resonated with me.
As she journeyed toward Catholicism, Noble-Hartzler found a spiritual home at St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Chicago. The community there gave guidance and support during her conversion process:
I'm especially grateful for St. Mary of the Angels, which has been a guiding light during my conversion. Through their support and resources, I feel genuinely prepared and supported as I enter this new phase of life — both as a Catholic and as a married couple.
Noble-Hartzler emphasized that her conversion to Catholicism wasn't one single dramatic moment or choice. Rather, God’s grace guided a series of gentle yet persistent invitations and growing certainty.
“I came with questions, wounds, and doubts, and have been met with truth, beauty, and mercy at every step,” she said.
She came to see that faith isn't about knowing all the answers but about surrendering to God's greater wisdom.
“Instead of having to have everything figured out myself, I have learned to trust the One who does know it all completely,” she said.
Noble-Hartzler's journey from rural Michigan to Chicago and back again reveals how faith can develop across different seasons of life. Her story reminds us that conversion often happens gradually, through ongoing grace and seeking God with an open heart.
