A New Experience...

Throughout the Easter season, our newly initiated adults have been engaged in the fourth period of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults called mystagogy, a Greek word meaning “to savor the mysteries.”  Today, the Solemnity of Pentecost, the period of mystagogy comes to a close.  Our newly initiated Catholics, called neophytes, or newly planted, have been reflecting on their journey of faith, especially on what they experienced during the rituals celebrated during Holy Week.  Here are some of their reflections:

Question:  What liturgical/ritual moment stood out for you?

• ·         Holy Thursday brought me back to everything I loved about the Church.  I remembered things from my childhood, including songs sung in Spanish.  Everything came together.  It was like being welcomed with open arms.  God is always there giving me what I need, but I don’t always see it.
• ·         During the foot-washing on Holy Thursday, I felt connected with the group.
• ·         On Good Friday, the meaning of the cross shifted from suffering to salvation.
• ·         Watching the baptisms at the Easter Vigil, I had the sense that we are all in the same family.
• ·         When Monsignor poured water over my head, time stopped.  I saw a bright light.  I felt like the only persons in the room were Monsignor and me.
• ·         The sprinkling rite was like a wake-up call, a spiritual realty check.
• ·         When Monsignor anointed me, I felt relieved.  I felt fresh, a sense of freedom, a new start.
• ·         On Easter Sunday, I felt spiritually clean.  I’m not usually affected by ceremonies, but this will take some time to process.
• ·         All the symbols helped me to see that God is everywhere, in everything.

Question:  How would you sum up your journey of conversion?

• ·         From worry to calm
• ·         From fear to peace
• ·         From focusing on material things to focusing on what is most important
• ·         From complacent faith to active faith

On this feast day, also known as the birthday of the Church, we give thanks to God for bringing forth new life at St. Thomas Aquinas.  We are grateful that God continues to call others into relationship with God’s very self and therefore, with the community of believers. 

Pentecost is a good time to reflect on what a difference our own journey of faith has made in our lives, and then to share it with others.  All of us, whether we have been Catholic for a long time or whether we are new Catholics, are sent forth this day this day to celebrate God’s new life with the world.