Former NBA player Gordon Hayward has officially joined the Catholic Church, marking a significant spiritual milestone in his life. The conversion ceremony took place in Rome on October 1, just two months after he retired from professional basketball. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, announced the news last week.

Hayward, whose NBA career spanned 14 years with teams such as the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Utah Jazz, was received into the Catholic Church at the historic Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Wall. Archbishop Timothy Broglio performed the initiation, which included the sacraments of confirmation and the First Holy Communion. Hayward’s wife, Robyn, and two of their four children were in attendance as the family witnessed this pivotal moment in his faith journey.

In the official statement from the archdiocese, it was revealed that Hayward chose the name “Sebastian” for his confirmation. Saint Sebastian, known as the patron saint of soldiers and athletes, was a natural choice for Hayward, who has long been connected to the world of sports.

“Mr. Hayward chose ‘Sebastian’ after a period of discernment through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA),” the archdiocese explained. Father Marcel Taillon, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese, played a key role in guiding Hayward through this process.

The OCIA is a program designed to help adults learn about and prepare for entry into the Catholic Church. Hayward’s journey through this program culminated in his confirmation in Rome, a deeply symbolic location for his new faith commitment.

Hayward shared the news of his confirmation on social media, posting a photo alongside Archbishop Broglio, Father Taillon, his OCIA sponsor Maxwell Van Vliet, and two seminarians from the Archdiocese for Military Services. The caption featured the Latin phrase “Nunc coepi,” which means “Now I have begun,” signifying the beginning of his life as a Catholic.

Robyn Hayward also shared photos on her Instagram account, capturing the joy of the occasion. “Gordon joined the Catholic Church this week, and why not convert in Rome?” she wrote. It was so incredible that the Archbishop of the US military confirmed him into the Church. What a true blessing!”

One of the photos Robyn posted shows the couple standing outside the Basilica of Saint Sebastian, beaming with joy. Her Instagram bio features Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible,” which aligns with the spiritual foundation of the couple’s life.

Hayward’s conversion comes just after he announced his retirement from professional basketball in an August 1 post on X. In his retirement announcement, Hayward expressed gratitude to God for guiding his career, saying, “God has blessed me with an amazing journey, one that has taken turns I couldn’t have expected or dreamed of as a kid in Brownsburg, Indiana.”

He also mentioned his favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, which declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His heartfelt message reflected on his basketball career and his trust in God’s plan for his future.

As Hayward embarks on this new chapter of his life, his conversion to Catholicism serves as a testament to his faith journey. After achieving success on the court, he has now found deeper spiritual fulfillment with his family by his side.