March 8: The Last-Minute Catholic

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is March 8th, and our story is The Last Minute Catholic. It's been said that to succeed in politics, one must make an art of indecision. In this regard, Thomas Ewing Sr. was the consummate politician.

Born in Virginia in 1789, Ewing moved to Ohio as a young man. There, he established a successful practice as a country lawyer. That success led him to the U.S. Senate in 1830, then to an appointment as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents William Henry Harrison and John Tyler.

Later, on March 8, 1849, he again secured a place in the presidential cabinet, becoming the first Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore. Unfortunately, the most notable feature of Ewing's tenure at Interior was the culture of corruption he created. His nickname as secretary was Butcher Ewing, a wry tribute to his summary dismissal of good civil servants who were not his political cronies and were unwilling to pay him for their positions.

Despite his questionable professional ethics, Ewing was devoted to his Catholic wife, Maria, and their children, including his foster son and future son-in-law, William Tecumseh Sherman. At Maria's request, Ewing raised the children Catholic, faithfully attended Mass with her, and even became close friends with Cincinnati's colorful Archbishop, the Most Reverend John Baptist Purcell.

Despite his affinity for all things Catholic, Ewing nevertheless held off on making any formal commitment to the Church until he was 80 years old. He might have delayed even longer had he not collapsed in 1869 in the midst of arguing a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Believing he had only moments to live, he called for a priest and was baptized on the spot in the courtroom.

Ewing soon recovered. However, he took no further steps toward full reception into the Catholic Church. Not until September 1871, when it became clear to him that the time for indecision was finally at an end, did Ewing summon Bishop Purcell to his house to hear his confession and administer the sacraments. Ewing died one month later.

Our relationship with God is not measured by timeliness, but by sincerity and the courage to act when called, even if it comes unexpectedly or after a lifetime of hesitation. Reflect on areas of your life where you may have delayed full commitment to your faith.

Take one step this week to embrace it more fully, no matter your past delays. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, March 9th, for another story of faith and courage in America.