3/5/201,
Adults prepare for baptism or reception into the Catholic Church by means of the catechumenate. It is also called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It was reinstated after the second Vatican Council. It takes one year and culminates at the Easter Vigil. Adults are then baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist. Christians baptized previously in other Churches publicly profess the Catholic faith and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Recently, Peter Loy Chong brought copies of a book on the catechumenate from Singapore. He wanted to trial this book so he arranged a seminar in Suva to train catechumenate instructors from the parishes. I was one of the team giving the training.On the final day, a young man came up and said,“I shouldn’t be here at all. I was supposed to be playing rugby in Taveuni this week.”
“So, what happened?”
“Our catechist, on the night before this seminar, phoned the parish priest to say that he couldn’t attend. The priest asked if there were any unmarried men around. Just then, I passed the catechist’s house. The catechist called me to the phone. Our priest appealed to me to attend this seminar. I don’t know how I agreed, but I did!
I was a bit late arriving on the first day. I expected to find young people like myself here. I got a shock when I saw that most participants were elderly. I decided to go straight home again. I turned and went out of the hall. But, just as I left, I met Archbishop Chong coming in. He took my arm and redirected me in a friendly way back to the hall.
I have really learned a lot and I have enjoyed the three days. I realize now that God wanted me to come here. He chose me for this work. He made sure that I would stay here. I will have to be very dedicated to the catechumenate when I return to my parish!”
by Fr. Frank Hoare
