Cam’s Story

Cam here on the day of becoming Catholic, wearing a stylish grey vest

Cam first met Vagabond when he was in 8th grade after meeting one of the former missionaries in Baton Rouge, Sarah.

“She had some snacks and said, “We have a community.”

After that, Cam started coming to the youth center, spending time with the missionaries, and making new friends.

“I used to barely talk to people, but it has helped alot.”

Cam’s experience with Vagabond was also his first encounter with Christ and the Catholic Church.

“We first saw Cam right before Vagabond Missions actually started in Baton Rouge in the summer of 2023.” Deacon Michael, the Baton Rouge Area Director, remembers. “From that point on, Cam has always been around whenever we did our open youth nights and our open gym. He was always around, but had never really been invited to take the step into the Church. When he started to see us missionaries as more than just someone to have fun with or even a mentor, but a brother or sister in Christ inviting him to grow closer to Jesus, Cam decided to enter OCIA.”

Tyler, Baton Rouge Missionary, recalls when asked about Cam, “He went to camp his first year with us, and I remember one of the missionaries noted that during adoration he had his hands up the entire time. She approached him at one point to let him know that he didn’t need to do that the whole time and he said, “No, I’m fine.” And he stayed that way throughout the night.”

When Cam decided to become Catholic, it was spurred by a simple question from Dcn. Michael: “Do you want to be Catholic? And he said, “Yes.”

His family was incredibly supportive. And, you know, Cam has dealt with a lot of hardship with his family, but the local parish and Vagabond has been very instrumental in not only demonstrating the faith spiritually, but also in those cultural works of mercy and in solidarity.

Cam is a witness to the positive effect Vagabond can have on a young person. He says, “I’m a Vagabond teen.” Anywhere he goes he wears his scapular. Although doesn’t say much, he has a very profound faith and you can see it in his reverence when he comes in the church and the ways in which he prays.”