How the Rosary Led Eric Sammons from Protestantism to Catholicism

October 24, 2026: A former Methodist recounts how three days of praying the Rosary became a turning point in his journey towards the Catholic Church.

Eric Sammons, a former Methodist with Evangelical Protestant influences, says praying the Rosary for three consecutive days helped him decide to become Catholic. His conversion followed years of theological study, conversations with Catholics and reflection on his Christian faith.

In his first-person testimony, From Ignorance to Bliss: The Story of My Conversion to Catholicism, published on 25 February 2016, Sammons recounts how the Rosary became a decisive moment in his spiritual journey.

From Protestantism to Catholic teaching

Sammons grew up attending a conservative Methodist church and developed a strong commitment to Christianity during his teenage years. During college, his interactions with Catholics through Christian groups and pro-life activities prompted him to examine Catholic teaching more closely.

Conversations with Catholic friends challenged his assumptions about doctrines such as purgatory and the perpetual virginity of Mary. Over time, he found himself increasingly accepting several Catholic teachings, although he remained hesitant about leaving his Methodist background.

His reservations extended to Marian devotion, particularly the Rosary. However, observing Catholics who prayed it regularly encouraged him to reconsider the practice.

Three days of praying the Rosary

According to Sammons’s account, an encounter at a pro-life demonstration left a lasting impression on him. He recalled a woman responding peacefully to an angry protester by praying the Rosary. Her response prompted him to reflect on the devotion.

As he continued wrestling with questions about his religious affiliation, Sammons decided to pray the Rosary daily for a week, seeking clarity about his spiritual direction.

Using a Rosary and prayer booklet belonging to his Catholic roommate, he began praying in his dormitory room. He continued for three consecutive days.

Sammons recounts that after the third Rosary, he became convinced that he should enter the Catholic Church. He regarded the experience as a turning point in a journey that had already involved sustained study and reflection.

A decision shaped by prayer and study

Sammons began studying the Catholic faith in 1991 and entered the Catholic Church in 1993. His testimony presents the Rosary not as a replacement for theological inquiry, but as a significant moment in his gradual movement towards Catholicism.

His story illustrates how prayer can accompany a person’s search for religious understanding. For Sammons, a devotion he had initially approached with hesitation became part of the experience that helped him make his decision to become Catholic.

By Catholic Connect Reporter