Former Addict & Catholic Convert Says The Eucharist "Brought Healing to My Soul" in Powerful WYD Testimony

Caleb, a 29-year-old young man from the United States, gave a powerful testimony about his journey to the Catholic Church during The Way of the Cross at World Youth Day.

Caleb told the story about his troubled past, including a wounded relationship with his father, his parents' divorce, and his struggles with drug addiction, depression, and self-harm.

He said his relationship with his now-wife led him to seek fullness in Christ.

"The Lord heard my cries and he sent me the most beautiful gift. One who would eventually become my bride."

Caleb and his wife then became involved in a Protestant Church. He began teaching the faith to students, which led him to conduct his own research into the Early Church.

He then realized the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and converted to Catholicism.

"To make a long story short, John 6, Jesus and the Eucharist, is what brought me home into full communion with the Catholic Church."

Watch his testimony below:

Here's the text of his testimony:

"I feel a deep pain, and yet, at the same time, a great joy. The reality of my life is that I'm one of the last sheep that Jesus came running after. I grew up in a very broken household with a father who didn't really realize his worth identity in Christ and was severely broken.

"As a result of his wounds, he wounded others, and one of my escapes from home life was always being a church. It felt as if it was my home away from home.

"I was raised in various different Christian traditions, but I always had a desire with my soul for more. I wanted that encounter with Jesus everyone around me seemed to be having, but I wasn't having for myself. Little did I know, looking back through all of that, he was right by my side.

"Approaching my high school graduation, my parents went through a horrendous divorce and it just spiraled out of control. I sank deep into depression, struggled with self harm, became a drug addict, and I really had a desire to end my life. I let the pain lead me to embracing all the selfish desires that were within me.

"Everything I had known was gone. I had no sense of direction, my head was in such a dark place from the pain, and I had searched for a reason to live.

"The Lord heard my cries and he sent me the most beautiful gift. One who would eventually become my bride.

"Once I met my wife, I found a reason to live and a desire to grow in my faith. I wanted the passion she had for Jesus, but battling the ghosts of my past, it just always felt unattainable.

"After dating for a period of time, we separated for a while, and I was faced with a choice to make: I could either let Jesus take full control of my life, or go back to my old habits.

"By His grace, I pressed on, and working in a tattoo shop, I saw those were forgotten by society and I saw Jesus in them and who He truly was.

"After much healing, my wife and I got back together and were eventually married.

"We became heavily involved in our church and I was tasked with passing on the faith to our students. I realized really quickly I didn't know what the faith was.

"I started researching the Early Church in both biblical and historical resources.

"To make a long story short, John 6, Jesus and the Eucharist, is what brought me home into full communion with the Catholic Church.

"Now as I reflect, I've realized that the father wound that I've had has caused me to have an identity crisis but after embracing the identity my Heavenly Father has given me, I've finally started to heal.

"And being united fully to Jesus in the Eucharist has brought healing to my soul.

"After tasting all of this world has to offer, Jesus truly is the only one who has satisfied me."