Canidates and Catechumen

"I saw a host of silent angels waiting on their own, knowing that all the promises of faith come alive when you see home." -Jars of Clay

Today, Alan and I officially began the rite of initiation into the Catholic Church. Though RCIA classes begin in the Fall, Advent is the time of formal invitation for those in RCIA who wish to join the Church at Easter.

Alan is a catechumen as his baptism was not keeping with the biblical mandate to baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)—anyone who has not been baptized is a catechumen. I have been baptized twice, as a baby in an Episcopal church and as a teenager in a Wesleyan church, so I am a candidate.

It was a simple ceremony. Father Bush called the candidates and catechumens up front during mass, asked us about our expectations about becoming Catholic, then he and Deacon Burns and our sponsors administered the sign of the cross to all of us in turn. Lucy, of course, started hollering when we were up there; thankfully our friends Pamm and Robin helped to keep her quiet. The altar was adorned with the pretty purple cloths of the Advent season so it all felt very festive.

I am very excited about this time in our lives. This is a singular experience and I hope Alan and I take full advantage of it. My whole Christian life I’ve felt an awful incongruence with many of the practices and theology I was taught. I thought I was being a bad Christian by believing in the redemption of once pagan things, Jesus' presence in the bread and wine of communion, the holiness of Mary, a purgation after death, and the communion of Saints… but I guess I was just being a good Catholic!

This is akin to being raised by an aunt and finally returning home to mom. While an aunt can be loving, kind, wise, and somewhat like your mother, nothing can replace the relationship you have with your mother who loves you. While I am forever indebted to the Protestant church who brought me into the fold and faithfully instructed me in the ways of God, it feels good to be heading home.