JD Vance, Ohio senator and now Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections, recently shared a personal reflection about his conversion to Catholicism and the impact it has had on his family. In a candid interview with The New York Times, Vance revealed that while his spiritual journey has brought him deep meaning, he feels a sense of guilt about how it affects his wife, Usha Vance, who was raised in a Hindu household.

“I felt kind of bad about it, right?” Vance explained. “Like, you didn’t sign up for a weekly churchgoer. I feel terrible for my wife because we go to church almost every Sunday unless we’re on the road.”

Usha Vance, a former law clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, has stood by her husband in his religious journey despite not sharing his faith. Her upbringing in a Hindu household and her cultural heritage differ greatly from the Catholic faith her husband has embraced. Yet, her love and support for JD Vance’s journey toward Catholicism have been unwavering. Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019 and was baptized as part of this new chapter in his life.

For JD Vance, his conversion wasn’t merely about adopting a religion—it was about finding answers to deeper questions. He confessed that his steps into Catholicism were sparked by a realization of the shortcomings in the American meritocratic system, which he had once embraced as a guiding principle. “I thought the Christianity that I had discarded as a young man answered the questions about being a virtuous person better than the logic of the American meritocracy,” Vance said.

Despite Vance’s deep connection to his newfound faith, it has also introduced challenges within his family life. Raising children in a spiritually diverse household often comes with its own set of hurdles. Vance admitted that although he shares in the responsibility of helping with their children, the weight of managing them during weekly mass often falls more heavily on Usha, who has not converted to Christianity.

It is not uncommon for mixed-faith marriages to navigate complexities, especially when children are involved and religious practices are part of the family’s rhythm. For many families, these challenges are managed through open communication, mutual respect, and the willingness to adapt. In the case of JD and Usha Vance, this adaptation has taken many forms. Usha has supported her husband’s religious practice, while JD has respected Usha’s cultural traditions, even learning how to cook Indian food and embracing her vegetarian diet.

At the Republican National Convention earlier this year, Usha Vance shared that her husband’s willingness to accommodate her cultural values has been a hallmark of their relationship. This mutual respect is a beautiful reminder that marriages built on love, understanding, and compromise can flourish, even when faith traditions differ.

His Catholic faith has also shaped Vance’s political life. Since his conversion, he has emerged as a vocal advocate for the socially conservative values embraced by the New Right, a movement of young conservatives pushing for a more populist and culturally traditional direction for the Republican Party. Vance has defended his stances on a range of contentious topics, including abortion, immigration, and even his controversial remark about “childless cat ladies.”

While Vance has been in the political spotlight for his conservative views, his personal reflections on faith and family give a more nuanced view of his life off the campaign trail. The tension he feels about Usha accompanying him to weekly mass—something she didn’t necessarily anticipate in their marriage—is a humble acknowledgment of the sacrifices partners often make in mixed-faith relationships. It also highlights how deeply intertwined faith and family can be, even when beliefs diverge.

For Christians, Vance’s journey is a poignant reminder of the power of faith and how it can transform lives. His conversion to Catholicism was a deliberate step toward seeking deeper meaning in his life—a journey many believers can relate to. Yet his acknowledgment of the challenges it has introduced within his marriage is equally important. Faith, while deeply personal, often impacts our closest relationships. It’s in the navigation of these complexities, with grace and understanding, that both faith and family are strengthened.

As JD Vance continues his political career and his role as Trump’s running mate, his reflections on faith, family, and the journey of conversion offer a window into the life of a man trying to balance personal beliefs with public life. Whether he’s discussing policy or attending weekly mass with his family, Vance’s story is one of spiritual transformation, personal growth, and the ongoing work of integrating faith into the everyday realities of family life.