«Praying the Rosary Was Especially Helpful to Me While I Was Discerning My Catholic Faith»: The Remarkable Conversions of Contemporary Philosophers

Noah McKay, a doctoral student in philosophy at Princeton University, recently announced his conversion to Catholicism. McKay told EWTN News that he experienced long periods of uncertainty regarding the faith, specifically citing the problem of evil and the problem of divine hiddenness. While he stated he was never an atheist or an agnostic, these doubts persisted through his high school and university years.

McKay is the second Princeton philosophy student to convert to Catholicism this year. Earlier this summer, Joe Schmid announced his return to the faith on August 21, 2026. Schmid, who holds a PhD in philosophy from Princeton, previously ran a YouTube channel called Majesty of Reason that focused on metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of religion.

Schmid had maintained an agnostic stance for years and had criticized arguments for the existence of God. His transition to Catholicism occurred in stages, moving from a conviction in God's existence to accepting Christianity and finally the Catholic Church. Schmid cited arguments regarding contingency and miracles, which he believes confirm Catholic doctrines, as part of his intellectual journey.