Yesterday was our retreat for RCIA. Next Saturday, the 15th during Easter Vigil (held the eve before Easter,) I will officially become a member of the Catholic Community. It is amazing how fast the time has passed. It is amazing how much I have learned in such a short period of time. It is amazing how much I still have yet to learn...
At this point, I feel my Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults experience has been quite rewarding and fulfilling. It has assisted in the filling of the void I had as it relates to spirituality. I'm experiencing Peace.
The retreat basically was a time of reflection on the things we have learned...the things we have experienced...and will continue to experience on our spiritual journey. We went to St. Peter and Paul's Retreat house in Newark, OH. The day was organized very well and centered around Holy Week and what we should expect during Easter Vigil (the time we accept the Rite of Initiation (Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation.) The members of the RCIA team did an excellent job of explaining all of the symbols we will see during Holy Week and also associated a visual and a song. Additionally, we received a list of scripture passages we could look up on our own time as it correlates with the individual symbols. And then we were given an hour of time to reflect and pray.
After lunch, we walked the Stations of the Cross. What a meaningful experience! The Stations represent a walk with Jesus through the Passion. It was so moving. Each station (there are 14 stations in total) gives a visual depiction of what happened to Jesus from the moment he was condemned to die. Catholics "pray'/"do" the Stations of the Cross to enter into an understanding of the mystery of Jesus' gift of himself to us throug an imaginative and reflective process.
The retreat site was BEAUTIFUL, although it was chilly that day. It was an appropriate way to prepare for our Initiation and allowed me to take time for my soul...
