Conversions to the Catholic Church take place in different ways. Sometimes, a long process culminates with a decision to enter the Church. However, other conversions involve rapid transforming graces that take a soul immersed in sin and lead to an instant change.
Such graces continue even in these times of crisis inside the Church. Despite tremendous obstacles, increasing numbers of people enter the Church each year.
The history of the Church is filled with examples of these instant yet unlikely conversions. They can serve as examples for the present times.
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One little-known but impressive conversion is that of Hermann Cohen. Hermann was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1821. He was a child prodigy who eventually was instructed by the famous composer Franz Liszt. He moved to Paris to further his musical career. His fame and musical talents soon spread everywhere. He was also exposed to vices of every kind and developed an enslaving gambling habit. His hedonistic and self-destructive lifestyle led to depression and insomnia. Despite his fame, he contemplated suicide.
In May of 1847, while substituting as director of the choir at Benediction in the church of Sainte-Valérie, he witnessed a Benediction and felt himself overwhelmed by Divine grace.
He sought instruction in the faith and became a Catholic on August 28, 1847, the Feast of Saint Augustine. After his baptism, he attended daily Mass and developed a profound adoration and love for the Blessed Sacrament.
He became one of the founders of the Nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in France. This archconfraternity of pious men would spend time at night before the Blessed Sacrament so that Our Lord was never alone. Later, he founded a similar society in London.
In 1849, Hermann entered the Carmelite order, taking the name Augustine. In 1851, he was ordained to the priesthood.
He visited Lourdes two months after Our Lady’s final apparition to Saint Bernadette. In 1868, while on another pilgrimage to Lourdes, Father Cohen was healed of glaucoma. He also visited Ars and sought counsel from Saint John Vianney.
He founded many Carmelite monasteries, including one in England, the first to be reestablished since the persecutions of Protestantism.
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During the Franco-Prussian war, Father Cohen, who was a German citizen, was allowed to visit French prisoners and administer the sacraments to them. During his time in Germany, Father contracted smallpox and died in Spandau on January 20, 1871.
Father Cohen’s life story is a lesson for the present times. It shows that when Our Lady chooses, she can call souls with extraordinary graces. These conversions can set in motion a chain of events for the salvation of souls.
His conversion also shows that in times of decadence, like those of his youth, people can overcome great obstacles and work with great zeal for the Catholic cause.
Similar graces and efforts are also possible in today’s much more depraved world. All depends upon the mercy of Our Lady, who can make such changes.
Such lightening conversions can be seen today among those searching for truth and meaning, especially young people. Thus, they should be a source of great hope. These conversions should be a cause for prayer and sacrifices to ask for further actions of grace and the ultimate triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.