World War II veteran joins the Church at age 98

Raymond “Ray” Martin Sr., a 98-year-old World War II Army veteran, has joined the Catholic Church. Martin, who served in Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines before working as a police officer in Illinois for 27 years, developed a connection to the faith through his late wife, Ann Marie.

Deacon Jacinto “Jack” Trevino, a hospice chaplain and parochial associate at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, met with Martin in December 2025. Trevino, who shared a law enforcement background with Martin, noted that their conversations moved from their professional lives to Martin's desire to become Catholic. Martin told Trevino that he had attended Mass and prayed the rosary with his wife and had previously practiced the act of contrition.

According to Trevino, Martin expressed belief in Christ, the teachings of the Church, and the Eucharist, while noting the importance of baptism and confirmation. Martin had not previously received any sacraments.