CSB+SJU gains new Catholics
Last Sunday, April 12, a combined 32 Bennies and Johnnies received the Holy Sacraments and were fully initiated into the Catholic Church through SJU faith and CSB Campus Ministry.
A record-breaking 32 students were welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 12. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is a year-long commitment, with the Sacramental Mass being held on or after Easter. The road to Sunday’s Mass began at the start of the fall semester. Cindy Gonzalez, Director of Campus Ministry at St. Ben’s, coordinates the program each year.
“We meet twice a month and had 18 students register; some of our students are in sports and some are doing nursing clinicals, but we found a time that worked for everyone,” Gonzalez said.
The meetings draw on the Benedictine heritage of St. Ben’s, while diving into the catechism from the Catholic Church. Gonzalez said she places particular emphasis on the community that has been built throughout this process.
“One of the most important things is the community building, making sure that our students in the program know one another and know each other well,” Gonzalez said.
The group also shares regular community meals, breaking bread and discussing whatever topic is covered that week.
In his homily, Father Timo referenced a broader national trend of young people enrolling in OCIA programs at colleges across the United States at increasing rates. Gonzalez connected that trend to the Benedictine spirit of the program.
For CSB sophomore Aracely Martinez, who received her Confirmation and First Holy Communion at Sunday’s Mass, the decision to join the program was a very personal one.
“I’ve never really been to church. I didn’t grow up going, but it felt like it was the time for me to do confirmation. I really wanted to get closer to God and start my spiritual journey,” Martinez said.
She said that a friends encouragement and her involvement in the Benedictine Learning and Living Community (BLLC) program brought her to that point.
“It just felt right. I was thinking. ‘I am really ready for this,’” Martinez said.
Martinez credited Gonzalez for shaping the experience.
“I really loved having Cindy be in charge of it; every meeting felt very meaningful. She was never intimidating and always very welcoming,” Martinez said. “She was very intentional with her words, and intentional with every single meeting.”
While it is customary for a local bishop to preside over Confirmations, St. Ben’s was granted special permission for their own presider, Frs. Timo, NickolasBecker and John Clausen to lead the liturgy.
The chapel, a designated monastic space, was also opened for the students by the Sisters of St. Benedict.
“For them to open up their doors with such grace and hospitality, I am always in awe by that,” Gonzalez said.
Sacred Heart Chapel was full. Martinez described feeling a strong sense of support from those in attendance.
“A lot of people showed up from the community and even though I didn’t know everyone who was in the mass, I felt supported by everyone there,” Martinez said.
The evening ended with a Jupiter Moon Ice Cream food truck set up outside the Sacred Heart Chapel following Mass.
“There is something very Benedictine about knowing that we are all just along on the journey. We are on the same playing field journeying together, and oftentimes the young people will show us the way forward,” Gonzalez said.
