Patrick Leigh, COO

Presenting Archbishop Coyne with a gift from our Parish.

My Conversion: A Journey of Grace and Identity

As I approach my 40th year, I find myself reflecting deeply on the tapestry of my life. Amidst the myriad experiences, one constant has been my Catholic faith. Although I’m an unworthy sinner, and I've stumbled and strayed at times, the past decade has been a transformative journey—one of learning, growth, and an ever-deepening love for the Church and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, I embrace my faith not just as a belief system, but as the very core of my identity.

A Humble Beginning

My story began over 40 years ago under unconventional circumstances. My twin sister and I were conceived by parents who, though unwed and recently divorced, chose life amidst uncertainty. My father, much older than my mother, already had six adult children. My mother had a daughter who was already 11. To say we were unexpected is an understatement. Despite suggestions to abort, their shared Catholic faith guided them to welcome us into the world.

On October 8th, 1985, I entered this world premature and a mess. I was on track to be born first but was spun around by my twin and born second. We were premature and underweight. Yale had just started its NICU, and I was whisked away for observation. Unfortunately, I developed a very high fever and needed to be intubated. During my journey from the womb, I had inhaled fluid and contracted infiltrate pneumonia. I was strapped down to a board like a frog for dissection, with tubes and wires all over my body. My arms were too small for IVs, so they pierced my head and placed the lines there.

My first few weeks of life were full of pain—under bright lights, surrounded by loud and constant noises, and tended to by strangers. The only loving touch I received was from my parents, who struggled to find any exposed skin to gently rub with a fingertip. My mother received constant calls about my prognosis, which, unfortunately, only worsened with time. My fever would not break. To make matters worse, the longer I remained on the ventilator, the higher the risk of complications—the most serious being total blindness.

A Divine Intervention

In the midst of despair, my mother turned to prayer, dedicating my life to God if He would grant me healing. One afternoon, a nun came to visit my mother in the hospital and said, “I heard you have a son who is very sick—would you like me to pray for him?” My mother replied, “Yes, Sister, please do.” While it’s not uncommon for a nun to be in a hospital, what my mother found odd—and surely reassuring—was that she was in full Dominican habit. By the 1980s, many nuns no longer wore the full habit.

The sister went down to the NICU and prayed over my failing body. About 20 minutes later, my mother received a call from the doctor. Every previous call had brought grim news, so she braced herself. He told her, “Your son unstrapped himself and pulled out his breathing tube.” My mother asked, “Does that mean he’s had enough and wants to die?” The doctor replied, “No—the fever broke, and he’s breathing on his own.”

My mother asked to speak with the nun to thank her for her prayers, but none of the doctors or staff could find her. They had seen her go down to the NICU, but no one knew who she was. They assumed she was a personal friend of my mother’s. She was nowhere to be found. Was it an angel of the Lord? Or a saint sent from heaven? I believe so. On Halloween 1985, I left the NICU and was sent home—small, but healthy.

Embracing the Call

Now, as a husband and father of three (with a fourth on the way), I continue to marvel at God's grace in my life. My journey of faith is ever-evolving, leading me to pursue ordination as a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, God willing. I feel a profound calling to testify to His truth and to evangelize the Gospel. Though I am an unworthy servant and a sinner, I am committed to walking this path with humility and devotion. While this was the beginning of my conversion, I wanted to make sure and highlight that my whole life is and will be a continuous conversion as I progress on my pilgrimage back to the Father.

God Bless,

Patrick Leigh, COO

The Modern Apostle LLC.