In September of 2015, I sat in Campus Ministry being asked why I wanted to becoming Catholic? "Is it because of Pope Francis?" the head of Campus Ministry joked. And while Pope Francis is pretty awesome, I couldn’t say that was the only reason. I started attending the Sundays at seven mass at Misericordia weekly in my freshman year, and the habit continued even when I would go home for breaks. I felt that it was time to take the next step and become a full member of the church.
Being a Catholic school founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia offers a program called the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The program spans from late September until the week after Easter. Anyone on campus is welcome to take part in the process, which involves weekly sessions on Catholic doctrine, traditions, and teachings.
The decision to become Catholic, for me, was an easy one. I enjoyed taking a break on Sunday evenings to attend mass. What made the choice even better was the overwhelming support I received from my peers. A large portion of the Misericordia community is Catholic, many of whom still practice even though their parents are no longer forcing them to go to church. Throughout the year, many people asked me about the process and told me how excited they were for me. One of the most heartwarming moments was when a girl told me she would be praying for me throughout the process.
The confirmation ceremony took place on April 3, 2016, and after eight months, myself and two other students became full members of the Catholic church. I watched as one of my peers was baptized. I saw Father's face light up when we left the chapel, full members of the community. I saw my parents, grandmother, boyfriend, childhood friend, and many friends I've made in my time at Misericordia support me from the crowd, and it was a crowded mass.
Although I am now a member of the Catholic church, my journey is not over. Faith is a journey that we are constantly on. One that allows us to grow, learn, and share in love with others. I am so happy with how far I have come, and cannot wait to see where it leads me.
