Notes From Our New Catholics | May 16, 2021 Essay

I can recall God’s call since high school. I was uncertain where my future would take me. Nothing clicked until family friends (deeply dedicated to their Catholic faith) suggested I study nursing. Suddenly it made sense. I weighed my university options and could not deny the pull to attend Boston College. Its Ignatian philosophy of “men and women for others” and “setting the world on fire” spoke to my calling—nursing was a way of living to serve others and practice empathy in the most challenging times.

Now working as a nurse and looking forward to my upcoming marriage and—God willing—a family, I knew this was the time to join RCIA.  I yearned to participate in the gift of the Sacraments, to understand the Mass, and be a part of a greater Catholic community. The same family friend suggested that I consider St Ignatius Loyola. The Parish already feels like home.

During this pandemic, when days often seem to blend together and weeks drag on, I found stability and renewal in the RCIA sessions. With my fiancé as my sponsor, we have grown closer and established a foundation on which we can build a future. I now have faith that God has a plan, and for that reason, my future is bright.  — Megan Langlais

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I’ve always wished to have a connection to God and the Catholic Church. During quarantine, the feeling escalated with our lives completely changed and our routines no longer routine. I talked to family and friends. I wanted to deepen my faith and spirituality. They recommended I pursue the Catholic faith. I learned about Jesus’s early life, his disciples, his remarkable life. The scriptures and themes continue to resonate, which is incredible and shows me how God always has a hand throughout the centuries. I now find myself connecting with God through prayer and reflection.

After receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, I am thrilled to have a hand in my niece’s spiritual upbringing by being chosen as her Godmother. It is an honor that I will not take lightly. I cannot wait to teach her what I have learned. — Anonymous

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The importance of the Catholic faith to my significant other was what initially drew me to the Catholic Church. Starting my spiritual journey with the help of the RCIA, I began feeling a deeper connection with my faith and Christ. I looked forward to our weekly sessions, attending Sunday Mass, and grew more excited with every passing liturgical rite for the celebration that was to occur at the Easter Vigil. Now the Catholic faith is an important part of my daily life, and I look forward to continuing to explore and grow in the Catholic community. — Matt Santucci

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I was baptized Catholic at six months old and raised in the Baptist faith. I believe in God, always have, and always will. My relationship with God has been a tumultuous one, fighting, swearing, questioning, and most of all unyielding.

My journey to completing Roman Catholic initiation ironically started with my wife’s wanting to become Catholic. I love my wife, so I agreed to attend RCIA with her. I had the sincere desire to be supportive but did not put much thought into the whole thing.

In accompanying my wife, a personal change started to take hold within me. Suddenly attending as the supportive spouse left me feeling lacking in something. I found myself getting excited rereading scripture. I had grown up within the Baptist church until one day I began wanting to fully partake in the RCIA process.  I would later realize I was being called to the faith.

As I sit here reflecting on and writing about my journey, it’s been an extraordinary experience. Like the prodigal son, I had turned away from my Father’s home only to be welcomed back with affection and celebration. I felt like going through RCIA was a reclaiming of my birthright with confirmation being the culmination of my claim. I started my journey wanting to support my wife, I ended my journey in obedience to God.  

God does not need us in the same way that we as his church need God. I feel it necessary to state this. Now, more than ever, we are dealing with secularism and the depravity of hearts and minds which all serve to corrupt and erode our social values. Now, more than ever the world needs God. Yes, we come to the church to partake in the Eucharist and other sacraments, but first and foremost we come to the church for ourselves, to find God’s grace and mercy so that we may live out our faith in everyday life. We serve as the beacons of hope and light for those that have received his call but have chosen to not yet answer the call. What good is a gift to anyone that does not willingly want to accept said gift? God is ever-present, ever waiting, ever hopeful that like all of us, his other prodigal, wayward children will find their way home and find salvation through his grace.

My RCIA journey is coming to its natural conclusion, but my work is so far from being done. I can only hope that I will be worthy of my Father’s gifts, his love, and that I can share these gifts with others. I pray that God bless us all and watch over his church. And I pray for those that are lost, so that they may yet find their way home to the church and God. Happy Easter Season to you all. — George Xavier Tierra