At Assisi, Solstad expressed her deep reverence for St. Clare, stating, “I was impressed by St. Francis, but I was moved to tears by St. Clare. I knelt by her tomb and again asked for assistance. I felt like St. Clare was actually present with me and that she was going to take all the pain and anxiety from me and somehow give it to God,” as recounted to ACI Prensa.
Following this profound encounter and her return home, Solstad underwent a significant internal shift. She candidly admitted, “I quickly realized that I didn’t like what my life was like. I hated my job. I felt disgusting and guilty for the work I had been doing for a decade. I couldn’t stop thinking of all the things that I had done and all the lives I negatively affected through pornography. I felt grotesque.”
Seeking solace and guidance, Solstad sought out a priest and confided in him and his secretary. Their reassurance that “God loves you” resonated deeply with her, describing it as a moment of divine illumination that stirred a desire “to be someone better. I wanted to be clean, I wanted to be happy and a great example of God’s love.”
Despite facing remnants of anti-Catholic bias from her Lutheran upbringing while in RCIA, Solstad diligently delved into Catholic teachings and found profound truth in them. She shared, “I have honestly fallen in love with the Catholic Church. There is such richness in the faith. The Holy Trinity, the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary the Mother of God, all the inspiring, heroic, and beautiful saints, the sacraments, the history, the tradition, everything! But what has touched me the most is the Eucharist … something so surprising for me with Jesus physically present.”
Transitioning into the Catholic Church, Solstad joyfully celebrated her first Communion at the Easter Vigil on March 30, a moment she cherished deeply. Reflecting on this milestone, she expressed, “These five seconds will forever be emblazoned in my heart, mind, and soul. This is the best moment of my life.”
Her transformation through receiving the Eucharist was profound, as she acknowledged, “I will never be the same again and I thank God for this undeniable fact. I am so in love with you, Jesus. Never allow me to move even one inch from your most Sacred Heart.”
In conclusion, Solstad drew inspiration from the prayer of the Virgin Mary, quoting, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation,” echoing Mary’s profound words from Luke’s Gospel.
Currently, Solstad sustains herself through her religious goods store, as detailed in the story by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, translated and adapted by CNA. Walter Sánchez Silva, a seasoned writer for ACI Prensa (https://www.aciprensa.com), and Christina Herrera, a digital media specialist at EWTN, played pivotal roles in sharing this inspiring narrative.