Overview

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, host Kiki Ladimer speaks with Avery Lane, a writer for Catholic Exchange, about faith, conversion, and the inspiring story of Mexico’s young martyr, St. José Luis Sánchez del Río.

Avery shares his personal journey from a lapsed Methodist and secular humanist to a committed Catholic. His travels to Mexico, particularly his visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, sparked transformative experiences that opened him to faith. He recounts moments of grace and profound emotional encounters with Catholic devotion that gradually led him to embrace the Church. Avery emphasizes how simple acts—showing up, praying, and remaining open to grace—can catalyze deep spiritual transformation, drawing parallels with the biblical parable of the prodigal son.

The interview also explores St. José Luis Sánchez del Río, canonized by Pope Francis in 2018. Avery details the young martyr’s courage during the Cristero War, his unwavering faith despite torture, and his ultimate “happy death,” highlighting the extraordinary grace required for martyrdom. They reflect on the broader significance of saints’ lives, noting how their witness inspires courage and devotion in ordinary believers.