I began attending mass the morning after I bought the books, by which time the fire in my heart had burned away any trace of hangover. The following week, while continuing to attend mass each day, I called the rectory of the Beverly church, St. Mary Star of the Sea, and asked about adult confirmation (RCIA) classes. . . . I was ignorant about almost everything Catholic. I did not know what the Eucharist is. I did not understand the Catholic devotion to Mary. I could not defend a single Catholic position on social issues. I knew only that becoming a Catholic was everything I wanted and that the saints were the reason why.