By: Sr. Nina Caccam, SJBP
Accompanied by their godparents to the baptismal font at the sanctuary of Mt. Carmel Cathedral, three adults were solemnly baptized by Bishop Ryan during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. This was the culmination of their six-month long preparation in the RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults) program of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
Besides the three who received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion), 25 other candidates also received either Confirmation or Holy Communion or both. These candidates came from all walks of life from different parishes in Saipan.
Guided and instructed by Sr. Nina Caccam,SJBP and Sr. Narci Peñaredonda, SJBP, these parishioners faithfully in the 22 week sessions in the last six months, despite their tight schedule in their work and their responsibilities in their respective families. It may be a long, challenging and precarious journey for most of them who has to literally juggle their schedules and at the same time learn and memorize the basic prayers and teachings of the Church but in the end, it was their deep desire to know and love God and to learn new things about the faith that motivated them to persevere. In fact, these are all part of their journey. RCIA is not just a way to fulfill requirements in order to receive the Sacraments but it is ultimately a journey of faith with God.
Since the very beginning of the Catholic Church, the Easter Vigil which is the culmination of the Paschal Triduum, has always been the proper moment to administer the Sacraments of Initiation (as an extension of Easter, all Sundays of the year). For all of these candidates, it was their first time to attend a vigil in the Church. Despite the long liturgy, they fully participated and experience the powerful and meaningful signs of the Easter Vigil: The Blessing of the New Fire and the significance of the big Paschal Candle; the longer than usual proclamation of the Word of God; The Blessing of the Water and the Font; the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith; the anointing of Chrism and the candle and white garment associated in baptism. In most of the parishes, baptism is celebrated with the simple pouring of some water on the heads of infants. This time, Bishop Ryan wanted to use the baptismal pool in the Cathedral where the candidates descended the steps into the pool of water to accentuate the sign of rebirth. The Church always sees baptism as our participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Greek word baptizo means “to immerse”.
The RCIA program of the diocese is its response the growing number of people who grew up as adults without receiving baptism or without completing their Sacraments of Initiation (First Holy Communion and Confirmation). Sacramental preparation in the regular CCD programs in every parish normally caters to high school students. RCIA are for those in their twenties and above who obviously cannot be placed in the same classes with the teens. This is the first year, the diocese fully implemented the RCIA including the various stages (scrutinies) which are normally done in the Sundays of Lent leading towards the Easter Vigil. The 28 candidates this year is a very good turnout and Sr. Nina who is the Religious Education Coordinator of the diocese is expecting a much bigger enrolment this summer.
