By: Bernadette Parrott
Welcome to our Faith Renewal Series that is exploring The ABCs of Being Catholic. We are invited on a journey through the alphabet to explore Catholic terms, beliefs, and traditions. In this post we focus on the letter “N”.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “M” post <click here>. To go to the letter “O” post <click here>.
Neophyte
May 3, 2021
As you may know, I am the Co-ordinator for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and part of the team for the Catholic Parishes of Penticton.
One of the greatest joys of being a parishioner and celebrating with those who join us through the RCIA is rejoicing with them as they are baptised into the Catholic faith or proclaim aloud a Profession of Faith and convert to the richness and fulness of the Catholic faith.
The term ‘neophyte’ is assigned to those who have embraced a journey of faith and have made the decision to enter into this new relationship with God. (It is also given to a novice or postulant in a religious community or someone who is beginning their studies for entry into the priesthood).
Within the RCIA, the journey of the Neophyte does not end at their baptism. That is only the beginning of a new journey, one united to the greater Church, one united to you and I as parishioners of the Catholic Parishes of Penticton.
Traditionally, those who have journeyed through the RCIA process, receive their Sacraments on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil. This pandemic has called us all to patience, and for two years, the candidates for reception of the Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion have been asked to wait – to wait for God’s time. As they now move through the final stage of preparation, the period of Mystagogy, they wait joyfully for their sacraments.
The time that follows the reception of their sacraments allows the neophytes to reflect on their experience of the richness of their Sacraments, the revelation of Scripture, and the intimacy of the Eucharist.
For us “cradle Catholics” this is also a time for us too, to reflect on our daily journey to our Heavenly home. Today is a good day to reflect on our own personal connection to our Holy Church, to our Parish Church, to our relationship with Jesus. Do we still treasure the gift of Sacraments, the truth of Scripture and the strength of the Eucharist?
Are you still on a journey of faith? Can you call our yourself a ‘neophyte’ – new and washed clean and ready to begin again?
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “M” post <click here>. To go to the letter “O” post <click here>.