Paulus was blessed to grow up in a family that had a love for Christ. His parents were part of the Charismatic Movement, and his father pastored a small nondenominational church. They passed on that love of the Lord as they moved from Virginia to Croatia and back.

“My family tradition was a pretty vibrant kind of Christianity,” Paulus said. “I always thought God is real and faith is real and important, but I was looking for something more substantive intellectually and more formal in worship.”

In college Paulus engaged extensively in philosophy, particularly Plato’s works, which led him to ask: “Is there any Christian tradition that integrates Plato and what I’m learning here with my understanding of the faith?”

A good friend turned him on to Anglicanism, where he enjoyed the vibrant liturgical tradition and preaching. “When I found Anglicanism, I thought, ‘This has to be it. This is the real deal,’” Paulus said. After attending seminary, he was ordained and prepared for a career in ministry. Inside, though, he was still seeking. Then, he found the writings of St. John Henry Newman and other Catholics who had spent time in the Anglican tradition.

“Basically, I was really convinced by their arguments,” he said. “I found myself thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, Catholicism is true!’” In just a couple short years, both he and his wife, Anna, were received into the Church.

After finishing his doctorate in Scotland, the couple repatriated to the United States. As Anna’s family are Hamilton natives, the Paulus family moved into her grandparents’ home there, and their children now attend nearby St. Peter in Chains School.

Paulus taught as an adjunct professor at Miami University in Oxford, the University of Dayton, Mount St. Joseph University and the now-closed Chatfield College, among others. When Miami University canceled a planned class on Catholic Social Teaching, he looked to teach high school once again. He responded to an email about a job opening at Badin High School, and things came together.

He certainly had sufficient qualifications for the job: Paulus graduated from Grace Christian School in Staunton, VA, earned an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and English from Grove City (PA) College, taught English for two years at his prep alma mater, and then earned both a master’s from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada and doctorate at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

“We’re really pleased and fortunate to have Ben Paulus on our staff,” Badin High Principal Patrick Keating said. “His personality, broad range of experience and faith expertise really brings a lot to the Badin community.”

Paulus is enjoying teaching the faith to a new generation. This year he’s teaching world religions, and next, he plans to teach vocations. “Discovering the Catholic faith has been such an important part of my life,” he said. “I’m passionate about it. I love the Catholic faith. … I’m happy to be here. I’m settling in and enjoying the students.”

Paulus’ journey from Anglican priest to Catholic teacher was one of curiosity and spiritual evolution. Now, his diverse background enriches the Badin classroom experience.

This article appeared in the January 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.