‘Welcoming the Neophytes’ 2011
I thought to myself, ‘He truly lives’
The darkness of the St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church on the night of my baptism reminded me of a time in my life when I felt as if God had simply forsaken me. The smoothly paved road ahead of me had suddenly turned into a pot-holed laden obstacle course. To escape, I realised, was to surrender all to Him and to believe that Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour, would one day rescue me. And so He did.
Staring up at the crucifix on the altar, I reflected on Jesus’ resurrection. “For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfilment of the Scriptures…” These words resonated through my mind. “He lives!” I thought to myself, “He truly lives!”
Upon being summoned to the altar, images of my childhood flashed before me. I seldom entertained invitations to my village’s mandir because I found it difficult to understand the language spoken by the Hindu priest. Encouraged by Muslim friends to join their faith, I showed no interest in converting from a non-practising Hindu to Islam since the restrictions of the religion seemed irrational. It took but one suggestion made by my sponsor to visit St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church and after my first Mass experience, I knew that I had finally found my calling.
My heart pounded vigorously as I approached the baptismal font. The time of my spiritual rebirth had finally arrived. I was in the Jordan River, kneeling before the priest, with the sounds of angels echoing through the air. As the sacred water devoured me, chills darted across my spine. Oh what a Heavenly sensation it was to feel my mind and body being cleansed of all my sins!
I felt as pure as the light radiating from the candle I held in my trembling hands. A sense of euphoria flooded through me as I faced the congregation for the first time as a Roman Catholic.
Standing before the altar, with Father’s hands clasped around mine, the reality of the confirmation of my newly born faith penetrated deep within me. My spirit lifted as I exclaimed in agreement to the priest’s every word.
Beads of perspiration trickled down my palms as I waited anxiously to receive Communion for the first time. The entire substance of bread and wine changed. The bread I accepted became the Lord’s Body and the wine became the Lord’s Blood. I felt His flesh entering my body and His blood pulsating through my veins! It was surreal.
Tears of joy streamed down my face as I returned to my pew. I knelt and thanked God for the gift of being alive and prayed ever so earnestly for Jesus to grant me the worthiness to receive Him for the rest of my life. – Arianna Stephanie Kissoon, St Paul’s, Couva