A Special Lent

Lent is nearly over, Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. This year, Holy Week and the Lenten season have been an extra special time for me as I’ve been preparing to join the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil mass.  As many of you know, Joshua is a cradle Catholic and I’ve been attending mass with him since we started dating in August of 2009. While he never pushed me to convert, I came to the decision after prayer and research. I learned a lot about the Catholic Church with my religious studies minor, as well as through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), which I started attending last May. I say “convert” lightly because as a whole I’ve not changed my beliefs, rather I’ve adopted some doctrine and practice that Catholics have.

I wanted to make this Lent a true spiritual cleansing. I decided to give up chicken and potatoes, which have often made people chuckle, unless of course you understand that nearly my entire diet revolves around those two food items. Last year, I gave up Facebook, but after a few days I hardly noticed anything. This year, I’ve constantly been reminded of Christ’s sacrifice by simply being confronted with my measly sacrifice. I’ve uttered “I love you, Jesus” or “Thank you, Lord” every time I’ve felt myself yearn for either of these items. Really though, no such comparison to Christ’s sacrifice exists, but it’s been a great reminder.

I’ve also dedicated time to reading scripture every day. I’ve started a reading plan through an app on my phone that I’ve been keeping up with. I’ve also read Proverbs, Matthew and James (although I’m not quite done with the latter two). It’s amazing how once I got into the swing of reading scripture, I’ve found myself needing to do it, not a day has gone by when I’m not reminded of the need to read it.

Part of my journey to join the Catholic Church, involves going to my first confession, also known as reconciliation. Before learning about this sacrament I had a lot of major qualms with it. Why do I need to confess my sins to a priest when I can confess them to Christ? I’ve already asked forgiveness for them, what’s the point in doing so again? A priest is just as much of a sinner as I am, right? What I’ve come to learn about confession is that, it’s rooted in scripture. Christ gives the apostles power to forgive.  All Catholic priests can trace the bishop who ordained them back to the apostles, that’s pretty amazing to me.

Confession requires a great amount of humility. When I wrote all of the sins I’ve ever committed down, it weighed heavily. When I met with Father Brendan for my first confession, it was very difficult to admit to the things I’ve done. But when hearing that Christ forgave me for my sins, completely absolves me of them, it was a relief. Hearing it allowed it to sink it. The Lose Weight Exercise of those sins lifted. It has caused me to be cautious daily of what I do and say. In 50 years, I want to be able to look back and feel like I don’t have any major failures. (If you have any questions at all regarding the Catholic Church or my decision, please feel free to ask!)

I started this blog a few days ago. Since then, one of the priests at my church died. He was in a car accident two weeks ago and passed on Tuesday. It has filled my heart with great sorrow, yet, Father Bennett was a great man of God, with wonderful stories of his life and how God has touched him. Another reminder of how fragile life is.

On Saturday, I make my profession of faith, become confirmed and receive Holy Communion for the first time. I look forward to it so much. Easter is such an emotional time for me. The story of Christ’s death, the music, the readings, everything always brings out so much emotion. Saturday will be a time of great joy for me. I pray that I continue with my Lenten devotions, that I continue to see good over evil and that most of all, I become more like Christ in everything I do.