On February 8th, 2024, a new edition of "Roman Nights" took place at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. The event, titled "Crossing the Tiber: Today's Conversion Stories," aimed to explore the diverse nature of conversion. It sought to focus not just on dramatic shifts in faith but also on the daily choice to pursue a life dedicated to God.
Highlighting that conversion is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event, the gathering brought to light the stories of individuals from different walks of life who have navigated their paths to the Catholic Church. This conversation aimed to inspire attendees with tales of transformation and steadfast dedication to the faith, encouraging a personal reflection on the daily commitment to God.
The speakers for the evening brought a wealth of experience and insight into the dialogue:
- Fr. Michael Baggot, a Professor Aggregato of Bioethics in Rome, teaches at the Catholic Worldview Fellowship and is a Research Scholar at UNESCO's Bioethics Chair. He's a member of the Scholarly Advisory Board for Magisterium AI and chief editor of "Enhancement Fit for Humanity" (Routledge, 2022). Baggot, a published writer, co-hosts the Those Two Priests YouTube channel.
- William Robbins, a seminarian from Beaumont, Texas, with a background in political science, family business, and Texas politics, shared his vocational journey to the priesthood, currently furthering his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
- Anna Raisa Favale, an Italian Director and Screenwriter, applies Theatre in diverse settings, including Prisons and Refugee Camps. She filmed documentaries in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and South Africa. Currently in preproduction for an Italian DocuFilm with UNICEF, she's also working on her first Pro-life Science Fiction Feature Film. Her book, "Pagine dal Deserto," is published in Italy, and she's launching her first children's book in the USA.
Moderated by Andreas Thonhauser, EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief, the evening promised and delivered an enriching dialogue on the transformative power of faith and the universal call to daily conversion. "Crossing the Tiber" stood as a testament to the endless ways in which individuals come to and grow within the Catholic Church, echoing the broader theme of the "Roman Nights" series: to explore the depths of faith in today's world.
