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What great relief and heavenly peace came into my soul when Christ found me, a lost sinner. Here is my story:

I was born of Roman Catholic parents in Wolseley, Saskatchewan, and brought up strictly in the Roman Catholic faith. From early youth I was trying to be good, yet falling progressively into sin. With the rest of the crowd I was heading to perdition. I was told that by becoming a monk and priest, I could avoid sin and be more certain of my salvation. Because I was sincerely seeking salvation, I entered the Basilian Order of monks, received the long black robe and an adopted monastic name of “Saint Hilarion the Great”, and made my vows. As a monk-student I was called “Brother Hilarion”, and after ordination, “Father Hilarion”.

How eager I was to serve the Lord Jesus Christ! By leading a monastic life I thought I was doing just that. I performed all my monastic duties to the last rule. I whipped Myself every Wednesday and Friday evening till at times my back bled; in penance I often kissed the floor; often I ate my meager meal kneeling on the floor, or completely deprived myself of food. I did many forms of penances for I was truly seeking salvation. I was taught that I could eventually merit heaven. I did not know that the Word of God says: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

After years of studies and manual labor in the monastery, I was ordained a priest. I served five parishes in the Lamont, Alberta area; said mass every day; confessed people; recited the rosary to Mary; had many devotions to many saints; recited the breviary of formula prayers every day, and, as a monk, performed my penances more fervently than ever. Yet these did not satisfy my weary soul. I was heading into even deeper distress of soul than when I was a boy. But Christ was watching and waiting for me.

Among the studies for the priesthood we had three text books on the Bible, but not the Bible. After I was ordained a priest I became acquainted with the Catholic version of the Bible and in it were striking verses that contradicted my very beliefs and practices. God’s Book said one thing, my church another. Who was right, the Roman Church or God? I eventually preferred to believe God’s Word.

The monastic life and the sacraments prescribed by the Roman Catholic Church did not help me to come to know Christ personally and find salvation. After twelve and a half long years I escaped from the monastery, a lost sinner, without peace in my soul. In me was still the old nature of the “old man”. I needed a new nature, a new heart. “… the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off … the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24). That can only be brought about by being born again of the Spirit of God by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and not by monotonous repetition of prayers, penances, sacrifices and good works. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

I realized that the man-made sacraments of my church and my good works were in vain for salvation. They led but to a false security. Soon after, I believed that Christ died for me because I could not save my soul, and I trusted Him alone for my salvation. When I repented of my sins and accepted Him into my life, believing that on the cross He paid the complete penalty for my condemnation, I knew that my sins were not only forgiven but forgotten and that I was justified before God. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The blood of Christ cleansed me from all my sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). And now I have God’s peace. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

At last I found salvation full and free through Jesus Christ who died that you and I might live.

Friend, if you, too, are trying to reach heaven on your own, may I impress upon you that it is “not of works, lest any man should boast”. Heaven is infinite and can never be earned; we are finite and sinful. Christ alone is the way and the answer. “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5,6). Come to Him now just as you are, admitting your sins. Ask His pardon and accept Him as your own Saviour and Lord. Begin to rely on Him for your eternal welfare, for He bought salvation for you. He calls you now: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Then you, too, can rejoice with me in your newfound Friend and Saviour, the living Christ!

—By Converted Monk and Priest HENRY GREGORY ADAMS

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