Throughout the years of our Religious life, we encounter various situations in our catechism classes. Some students participate in the lessons more, some are quieter, some give off the vibes that they are just there because they “have to be” while some become more curious as the year goes on. No matter the technical “category” of classes that I have taught, whether it was First Communion students, Confirmation students, Minor Seminarians, parent classes, or students with Special Needs, I’ve always tried to stand before these children of God with the same enthusiasm, conveying the same message: Christ is in the Eucharist, which is the true means of Salvation. This year though, Jesus gave me a very unique group of kids, who really understood the truth of our faith- they need to be Baptized to go to Heaven.
This class was my OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) which consisted of 23 children, ages 9–11, most of whom did not know each other at the start of the year. Over the course of 26 classes, I had to prepare them for Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation and Confession (as they will not return for classes next year). As each week passed, I experienced increasingly that no matter how much I prepared a lesson, it was truly the Holy Spirit preparing them for the sacraments!
During the first couple weeks of class, most of the students were quiet, but because our class is two hours long, we would go outside to play on the playground during our snack break. They began to play together and quickly formed friendships. As we talked about Baptism they would ask, “Why do we have to wait until the end of the year to be Baptized?” “Sister, what happens if I die now, will Jesus save me?” “Wait, sister, that guy (Deacon) who walks by our class every week, can’t he just come in and Baptize us one week?” It was clear they were getting it; they desired salvation!
As we talked about the sacrament of Confession, they desired to have their souls cleansed. Any time I pointed to the crucifix, they turned to look upon Jesus they saw someone who loved them so much he was willing to die for love of them, to save them from their sins. One girl asked, “Sister, how do I stop hurting the one who loved me most?”
One of the highlights for the students was our various class “field trips” to the Church. They were excited to get to see where they would receive the different sacraments. When we learned that the door in the back of the Church led to the confessional, one boy said, “That’s not a box, but a door to a new start with Jesus.” Unfortunately, for some of these children, these “field trips” are the only time that they get to go into the Church, as their families do not attend Holy Mass. However, we must always remember that Jesus is working in their families through these little saints!
All the OCIC students to receive the Sacraments must participate in the Rite of Inscription, where the catechumens publicly express their desire to enter the Catholic Church by signing their name in the parish Book of Elect. This rite includes the recording of the names of all catechumens seeking baptism at the Easter Vigil. The catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the Diocesan Bishop. Their names are recorded in this book. During the Rite, which took place in Spanish, I felt bad for my kids because most of them only know English. I quickly explained to them what was about to take place as they patiently stood through the Rite. As I led the children to the place where they would sign their names, I heard a couple of them say “I can’t wait to write my name as a Catholic!” “It’s becoming so real!” “This is so exciting!” “Finally, our sins are going to be taken away so we can receive Jesus!” Then one of the boys yelled out “Sister, why aren’t you walking faster?!”
Sometimes we can get distracted in the details of our lesson plans or how perfectly we prepare class, but we must never forget, by the grace of our consecration as religious: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)
The day finally arrived for them to receive their sacraments! Since there were 130 catechumens and candidates at our parish this year, the sacraments were split into two masses. Three of my students received their sacraments at the Easter Vigil and the rest on Easter Tuesday. The students joyously and nervously lined up, ready to be freed of sin, sealed in faith, and receive Christ in the Eucharist for the first time.
Hearing them firmly say “I do” when asked if they believe in God the Father Almighty, and if they reject Satan and all his works, brought such joy to my maternal heart. This only grew as I watched them skip up onto the steps next to the baptismal font, ready for Father to pour the Holy Water over their heads, making them children of God. One of them even exclaimed “I’m baptized!” as he walked back to his pew. At the time of Holy Communion, they each piously knelt before the priest, firmly saying “Amen,” for at last Christ was fully within them. They had the gift of becoming living tabernacles, for the first time.
After Holy Mass, I approached one of the boys and asked, “Father sure did pour a lot of Holy Water on you, didn’t he?” (Truly it seemed like he got more than the rest!) He looked at me and said so genuinely, “Sister, I needed every drop of it! My parents waited too long for this, and I have committed many sins myself, but now I am free!”
As each of our academic year come to an end here, I would like to conclude with the words of Saint Angela Merici’s Spiritual Testament from the Office of Readings for her Feast Day, that they may be a reminder of the importance of carrying our spiritual children in our hearts wherever we may go:
“I also beg you to be concerned about every one of your daughters. Bear them, so to speak, engraved upon your heart – not merely their names, but their conditions and states, whatever they may be. This will not be difficult for you if you embrace them with a living love.
Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love, they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased.
Surely those who are mothers in spirit can and must act all the more in the same way, because spiritual love is more powerful than the love that comes from a blood relationship.
Therefore, mothers most dear to me, if you love these your daughters with a living and unaffected charity, it will be impossible for you not to have each and every one of them engraved upon your memory and in your mind.”
May Our Lady of Lujan, Anchor of our Faith, guide and protect our missionary efforts, leading all souls entrusted to our apostolates to our crucified Lord, so that we may enjoy eternal life with Him.
¡Viva la Virgen y Viva la Misión!
Sister Mary Strength of Martyrs Breslin S.S.V.M.
Missionary in Dallas, Texas
