February 25, 2024

Dear Friends in Christ,

The purpose of Lent in early Christianity was primarily about preparing catechumens, those unbaptized, for initiation into the life of Christ and the church. This was no casual signing up to be a Christian, but a serious process of conversion, of making one’s complete life center around the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. Given the various persecutions in the early church, this kind of commitment meant possible suffering and even death. The disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving were taken very seriously by catechumens and their sponsors to strengthen them for the challenges of the Christian life.

They still are today for those preparing for Christian initiation through the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. St. Bridget’s is blessed this year to have a good-sized group preparing for Christian Initiation at Easter. They include 3 adult catechumens and one adult candidate who is already baptized and seeks reception into full communion in the Catholic Church. We are also blessed to have seven children catechumens, ages 7 and older who will receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Until recent years, the practice was to spread out these sacraments for older children so they could receive them with their peer groups. But as they are old enough to make this choice for themselves, the church invites them to participate in the full process including the scrutiny’s during Lent, which will culminate in their complete initiation at Easter.

Last Thursday, February 15, along with their catechist, Alex Chopyak, I accompanied our group and their sponsors to the Cathedral where they participated in the Rite of Election, the formal recognition of their readiness to prepare to receive the Easter Sacraments. Those of us who are already baptized are not passive observers of their journey. We encourage them by our growth in the Christian life, and we pray for them. Their names are in the bulletin and Weekly Word for you to hold them in your prayers. Let’s add a prayer of thanks for how their Christian initiation enriches the life of our faith community at St. Bridget’s!

Blessings of peace,

Fr. William Heric, Pastor