Marvin Do’s path to Catholicism began in an unlikely place – his home gym in Western Sydney.
Born into a Buddhist family in New Caledonia and raised in Australia, Marvin had never given much thought to Christianity, let alone Catholicism.
In his early 20s, Marvin’s life revolved around his career and fitness routine. Twice a week, he’d work out with his high school friend Kevin, a devout Baptist.
As they lifted weights and spotted each other, their conversations often drifted to matters of faith.
“I’d ask him if we could go out that weekend and he’d say, ‘I’ve got church and Bible studies,’” Marvin recalled. “He never wavered. He was consistent. And it made me curious.
“I started asking questions, not realising these gym sessions were planting seeds of faith.”
Over squats and bench presses, the privacy of his home gym allowed for regular open, honest discussions about life’s big questions.
Kevin’s staunch faith and inner peace intrigued Marvin, who found himself drawn to the idea of a deeper spiritual life.
For nearly a decade, Marvin’s spiritual journey was a slow burn. But then his social media feed aligned, as it does, with his curiosity, and it began serving him content from prominent Catholic figures including Fr Mike Schmitz and Bishop Robert Barron.
“All of these same things I’ve discussed with Kevin, but I guess in a deeper or more eloquent manner. I saw that as a beautiful thing and it made me inquire a little more as well,” he recalls.
He began reading the Bible, and to his surprise, experienced a series of events that seemed more than coincidental. These occurrences, coupled with his growing interest, led him to attend a Mass with his then-girlfriend (now wife) in January 2024.
That first church visit coincided with a more significant series of signs that seemed to answer the prayers of his and soon-to-be-fiancée.
The pair found themselves at a crossroads.
“I was looking for a change in career and Jenny was trying to get a permanent role as a primary school teacher.
“And then within the span of one week, I landed a new job, Jenny got placed as a permanent teacher at her school, and a real estate agent called us and told us the property we were interested in purchasing together was now available,” he recalls.
“God somehow really just met us there and said, ‘I can give you this, now pay attention.’”
Marvin enrolled in the RCIA program at Sacred Heart Church in Cabramatta.
“The RCIA program has been incredible,” Marvin said.
“It’s given me a deeper understanding of the faith, answering questions I didn’t even know I had. The Trinity, the sacraments, the church’s traditions – it all started making sense.”
This year Marvin was among the record number of catechumens at the Rite of Election celebration at St Mary’s Cathedral and was baptised at the Pascal Eucharist Mass held at Sacred Heart.
“Kevin’s happy for me, even if he wishes I’d joined his church,” he chuckled. “Our friendship has deepened through these discussions. We’re both on a journey of faith, just taking different paths.
“I never thought lifting weights would lead me to lift my heart to God.
“But here I am, all because of conversations that started between bench presses and squats.”
Marvin’s journey continues to inspire those around him and his ultimate goal is to emulate his friend, Kevin, in bringing Christ to others.
“I believe I do want to do more things in the parish, because there is a lot to do with the church, especially the Sacred Heart parish and help bring that hope and that change and the good news to the people who need it,” he said.
