The beauty of the Catholic faith: A treasure hidden in plain sight

Mar 28, 2025

By Thomson Emmanuel Wong
There are moments when I pause and marvel at the richness of the Catholic faith. It is something I have always admired, not just for its depth and beauty, but for its unshakable foundation, spanning centuries and touching the lives of millions. Yet, I sometimes wonder if we truly see the treasure we have.

For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the Catholic Church in ways I cannot fully explain. It is not just a place of worship or a set of beliefs, but something far greater. It is a home, a family, and the fullness of faith itself. The more I learn about it, the more I realise that Catholicism is not a faith we create to suit our preferences. It is a faith given to us by Christ Himself.

And yet, in a world filled with noise and distractions, it is easy to overlook the beauty of what has always been right before us.

A faith that stands the test of time
History has always fascinated me. Civilisations have risen and fallen, cultures have shifted, and ideologies have come and gone. But through it all, the Catholic Church has remained, unchanged in her essence and unwavering in her mission.

There is something profoundly humbling about knowing that the faith I profess today is the same faith handed down by the Apostles. The prayers I say at Mass have been echoed by saints and martyrs before me. The teachings I hold dear are not shaped by human opinion but by divine truth.

No other institution or Christian tradition can claim such an unbroken lineage. To be Catholic is to be part of something much larger than oneself. The Church has withstood the test of time, not by human strength, but by the grace of God.

At the same time, I recognise that the Church has not always been perfect in its human leadership. History reminds us that while there have been moments of weakness, they have never shaken the truth of her teachings or the power of the sacraments. Christ did not promise us perfect leaders. He promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church.

More than just ‘Me and Jesus’
It is common today to hear the phrase that faith is personal. While this is true in one sense, Catholicism reminds us that faith is never meant to be private.

When I walk into a Catholic church, I am not just stepping into a building. I am stepping into a reality where heaven and earth meet. The Mass is not just about my personal prayers. It is a participation in something far greater, something eternal. It unites us not just with fellow Catholics around the world, but with the saints and angels in heaven.

This is something I have always found deeply moving. The Catholic faith is not about an individual journey. It is about communion. It is about being part of the Body of Christ, connected to those who came before us and those who will come after us.

In a world that often glorifies individualism, the Church reminds us that we are never alone.

The power of the sacraments
Some years ago, I found myself contemplating the sacraments in a way I never had before. What a gift they are, visible signs of God’s grace, not just symbols, but real encounters with the divine.

The Eucharist is not just a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. It is Christ Himself, fully present, body, blood, soul, and divinity. Every time I receive Him in Holy Communion, I am reminded that my faith is not just based on words or feelings. It is rooted in a tangible reality.

And then there is Confession. I have always been struck by the mercy of a God who not only forgives but allows us to hear those words of absolution. “I absolve you from your sins.” It is not a priest acting on his own, but Christ Himself, working through His Church.

There is no greater peace than knowing that no sin is too great for God’s mercy. And there is no greater privilege than receiving His grace through the sacraments He instituted.

Truth that does not change with the times
We live in an age where everything seems uncertain. Morality is subjective and truth is often shaped by popular opinion. Yet, the Catholic Church remains steadfast, holding firm to the teachings of Christ, even when they are unpopular.

This is something I have always admired. While the world constantly shifts its values, the Church does not waver. Not because she is rigid, but because she is faithful. The truth does not change to fit the times. It is the times that must conform to the truth.

Of course, there have been moments in history when people within the Church have failed to live up to the faith they professed. We cannot deny that there have been scandals, corruption, and times of darkness. But just as individuals need conversion, the Church, too, has undergone renewal and reform, always guided by the Holy Spirit. It is not human perfection that sustains her. It is Christ Himself.

A faith rich in beauty
Beauty has a way of stirring the soul and pointing us toward something beyond ourselves. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Catholic Church.

From the grandeur of Gothic cathedrals to the quiet reverence of Eucharistic Adoration. From the poetry of the liturgy to the wisdom of the saints. Catholicism is rich in beauty, not for the sake of aesthetics, but because beauty leads us to God.

I have always been drawn to the lives of the saints, real people who struggled, suffered, and persevered, showing us that holiness is possible in every vocation. And then there is Mary, our Mother, who always leads us closer to Christ. There is something profoundly comforting in knowing that we do not walk this journey of faith alone.

The Church, in all her splendour, reflects the reality of heaven. The more I immerse myself in her richness, the more I see that this beauty is not superficial. It is sacramental. It is a glimpse of the divine.

Why look elsewhere?
I often wonder how many people leave the Catholic Church without fully realising what they are leaving behind.

Some search for a faith that feels more engaging, more emotional, more convenient. Others may not even realise what the Church truly teaches, having only scratched the surface. And yet, I cannot bring myself to look elsewhere because I have come to believe that Catholicism is not just one way among many. It is the fullness of faith.

This is why I love being Catholic. Not because it is easy, but because it is true. Not because it makes me feel good, but because it draws me deeper into Christ. Not because it aligns with my preferences, but because it transforms me into something greater than myself.

There is nothing lacking in the Catholic faith. Nothing missing. Nothing incomplete. It is the Church Christ Himself established, the faith that has endured for over two thousand years, the place where heaven meets earth.

So why look elsewhere? Why settle for less when the fullness of truth is already here?

For those who may not have explored it deeply, I say this. Look again. Step into the mystery, the beauty, the depth of Catholicism. The Church is not just an institution. It is home. It is not just a religion. It is the path to eternal life.

And once you see it for what it truly is, you will never desire anything else.

(Thomson Emmanuel Wong, a parishioner of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang, is someone who deeply appreciates the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith.)