Reflections on the recent Sacraments of Initiation at UD
On Nov.10, the Church of the Incarnation welcomed six members of the University of Dallas community into the Catholic Church. It was beautiful to see such a concrete unity of the Church.
Students, professors, friends from nearby and family from far away attended to welcome new members into the Church. One of the candidates, Eve Cox, said that one highlight of the night for her was being received into the community after Mass.
“There were so many people crowded around me afterward who wanted to hug me and congratulate me,” she said, “and it was just a really incredible moment. I felt like I was truly entered into the church, because obviously I was initiated spiritually and legally, if you will, but also being accepted physically with the people around me… what a gift to be able to see the love of God through other people.”
Gabe Martinez, one of the catechumens, also spoke to the presence of those around him, saying, “I was struck by the fact that I was surrounded by my spiritual family, and [I] just realized how many friends have been there for me over the years.”
When asked what her reflections were from the night, Ella Charles said, “I’m finally home. There wasn’t like any reflection, but just pure joy.”
The joy to receive the sacraments was also what struck me, as an observer, the most. There was so much reverence for what had become rather commonplace for me.
And indeed, when asked what their advice was for other Catholics, the candidates and catechumens said primarily to never forget what is happening with the sacraments. Ella Charles noted that as you continue to take communion, “it almost becomes an expectation that you can take it, rather than a privilege that you get to accept it.”
Martinez advised to “always be caught up in the mystery of the sacraments, [and] truly appreciate them and really give them the respect they deserve. God is present in every sense, in the Mass…try to be present for God in the fullest sense possible. He gave everything for us, so it’s only fitting that we should give everything that we possibly can back to Him.”
The fire that is lit within us when we first recognize the sacraments eventually simmers down, often without us noticing. One of the devil’s greatest powers is making us forget.
That’s why it is so beautiful to have a renewal of vows alongside the sacraments of initiation—as those being initiated receive sacraments for the first time, the rest of the faithful are reminded of what we take for granted. We all remember God’s goodness and the beauty of the receiving sacraments, whether it’s our first time or our thousandth.
Whether or not you are Catholic, there is a danger of losing sight of the faith that once captivated you. At some point or another, prayer can and does become dull and commonplace.
We often have to push through distraction and dry spells (as many saints did). That’s good and holy—if you get distracted and come back to God a thousand times in prayer, you come back to God a thousand times. God wants us to fight for him by turning to him when it’s hard.
He does not want us to just lie limp in his arms, sitting through Mass with no effort to pay attention, reciting prayers mindlessly and receiving Sacraments routinely.
As Christmas draws near, there are reminders everywhere to draw close to family and friends and recenter on what matters to you. But as time goes by, these reminders fade. Let us continue to renew our vows and always strive for the fire of faith.
Regarding that night, Ella Charles said, “I’ve never been happier in my life than I was in that moment. I was crying the whole of the Mass, but it was truly the happiest day of my life and I really have to thank everyone for being a part of it, for Karen, Shelby, Deacon and Friar. I worked [at campus ministry] over the summer, and I saw every day, just more and more, I wanted to be with the church. And finally I am a part of the Church now, and I can’t be happier.”